Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Listen to After Watching Downton Abbey
No one masters the early 20th-century English country house drama quite like Julian Fellowes. Before adapting the genre for America with the cult HBO series The Gilded Age, he wrote the Oscar-winning 2001 film Godford Park and then carried that atmosphere into Downton Abbey , arguably the high point of the “servant’s house” subgenre.
What began as a soap opera about a minor English aristocrat’s estate and the distant relatives destined to inherit it evolved into a touching, richly detailed story of a family and their servants adapting to changing times while trying to preserve the best features of the past. If you need a substitute for this experience, we’ve already suggested several excellent TV series to watch, so here are some books, games, films, and podcasts worth checking out next.
The best books similar to Downton Abbey.
Downton Abbey has always had a literary aura, so one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a similar fictional universe is with a good novel. Here are some recommendations for ideal reading options.
The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro
This Nobel Prize-winning novel is told from the perspective of Stevens, a butler in the vein of Mr. Carson—loyal to his employer and fanatically obsessed with dignity and service. Set in the 1950s, Stevens recounts his life in the 1920s and 1930s, when his employer, Lord Darlington, flirted with fascism and Stevens experienced a growing but forbidden attraction to Miss Kenton, the housekeeper. It’s a melancholy story about missed opportunities and the meaning of service—and a reminder that, whatever our past, the present is here and now. It’s the perfect book for fans of Downton Abbey .
“Belgravia ” by Julian Fellowes
Downton Abbey wouldn’t exist without Julian Fellowes, so Belgravia is the perfect choice. Set in a different era—Victorian England, primarily the 1840s—the series offers a similarly poignant exploration of how class and money shape the upper crust of English society. Set in London’s Belgravia district, near Buckingham Palace, the series centers on two families: the aristocratic Bellasis and the wealthy Trenchards. The Trenchards are social climbers, while the Bellasis look down on them, a strong plot device that delivers the same charm as Downton Abbey, but in a slightly different context.
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
This charming story is set shortly before the First World War. It centers on teacher Beatrice Nash, who, somewhat scandalously, arrives in the village of Rye to teach Latin. The villagers aren’t thrilled with the idea of an unmarried woman working there, and Beatrice herself struggles to cope with her financial dependence on her patron, Agatha Kent, whose nephews, Hugh and Daniel, are quite attractive. It’s a blend of modernity and prim tradition, à la Downton Abbey .
“Howards End” by E.M. Forster
If you enjoyed the gradual social change depicted in the TV series Downton Abbey , you’ll love Forster’s celebrated 1910 novel . The story centers on three families in Edwardian England: the wealthy and prim Wilcoxes, the poor and ambitious Bast family, and the half-German Schlegels. The action unfolds at Howards End, the Wilcox family’s country home. Written at the time, it beautifully captures both the positive and negative aspects of the era.
“Sisters ” by Mary S. Lovell
If you watched Downton Abbey primarily to learn about the brave and clever Crawley sisters, you’ll love Sisters , which tells the story of the six Mitford sisters who dominated English society for much of the 20th century. The women—Nancy, Deborah, Pamela, Diana, Unity, and Jessica—were born into a poor aristocratic family, and each achieved success in various fields, from scandal to artistic achievement. Had Lady Mary been born a little later, she might have lived a life similar to the Mitford sisters.
The best movies like Downton Abbey.
Half the pleasure of watching Downton Abbey lies in the sumptuous visuals—the grandeur of the abbey itself (the real-life Highclere Castle) and its beautiful surroundings, the fashion, and the interior design. To get more of that in your life, watch these wonderful films.
Gosford Park (2001)
Written by Julian Fellowes and directed by the late, great Robert Altman, Gosford Park is reminiscent of later seasons of Downton Abbey , particularly in the episodes where American Hollywood intrudes. In 1932, Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) hosts a hunting party, among the guests of which is Hollywood producer Morris Wiseman (Bob Balaban). There’s plenty of gossip and intrigue between the upstairs and downstairs dwellers, a dead body, and unspoken class struggle—everything a Downton Abbey fan could want. Watch Gosford Park on Prime Video .
A Room with a View (1985)
Set in 1907 , A Room with a View takes place in Italy and England. The protagonist, Lucy Honeychurch, is a member of high society who, while on vacation, meets and falls in love with a young man, which disrupts her plans to marry into a family with a higher social standing than her own. The struggle against class expectations and social restrictions of the time is depicted in a dramatic manner, and fans who enjoyed the complex love story of Mary and Matthew will delight in this book. Watch A Room with a View on HBO or rent it on Prime Video .
Brideshead Revisited (2008)
If you’re looking for more drama set on a stunning, magnificent English country estate, this film, based on Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel, is a great option. The story follows student Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode), who befriends the rowdy and hard-drinking Lord Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw). When Sebastian invites Charles to his family estate, Brideshead, Charles is immediately captivated by both the estate’s beauty and Sebastian’s sister, Julia (Hayley Atwell). Watch Brideshead Revisited on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video .
The Go-Between (1971)
Another film that explores the simultaneously vast and narrow gap between social classes in early 20th-century England is The Go-Between. It follows 12-year-old Leo Colston, who is invited by his friend Marcus Maudsley to spend the summer at his family’s estate, Brandham Hall. Feeling out of place among the Maudsley aristocrats, Leo begins acting as a messenger between Lady Marian and tenant Ted, and the two begin a deeply forbidden romance, much like the relationship between Lady Sybil and chauffeur Tom Branson in Downton Abbey . The Go-Between is available to watch on Prime Video .
Atonement (2007)
Based on Ian McEwan’s heartbreaking novel, the film begins in 1935, when 13-year-old Bryony Tallis (Saorse Ronan) witnesses her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) having a forbidden sexual encounter with the housekeeper’s son, Robbie (James McAvoy). She misinterprets what she sees, setting off a tragic chain of events. Compared to Downton Abbey , this story is much darker and more emotionally wrenching, but it shows where some of the show’s storylines, focused on class differences and gossip, might have gone if the show weren’t so committed to happy endings. Watch Atonement on Netflix or rent it on Prime Video .
The best video games like Downton Abbey.
In 2015, a Downton Abbey-based video game for mobile platforms —Downton Abbey: Mysteries of the Manor — was released , but it’s no longer in production. If you’re looking for games set in the same period that echo the show’s style and atmosphere, here are a few suggestions.
80 days
This game is for those who believe Mr. Carson and his staff deserve more respect. Inspired by Jules Verne’s 1873 novel Around the World in Eighty Days , the game follows the novel’s protagonist, Phileas Fogg, as he attempts to achieve the titular achievement—but you play as his valet, Passepartout, who manages every detail of this wild adventure. You must ensure all necessary supplies are delivered, the schedule is met, and Fogg’s health is maintained. It’s as close as you can get to playing as a servant on an estate.
Platforms: Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Steam
Invisible clock
The Invisible Hours , originally developed for virtual reality, has recently been adapted for a traditional screen. Described as an “immersive experience,” it lets you play as either a presence or an observer, moving freely through the game, observing and listening, and rewinding scenes to see them from different angles as you try to solve the mystery. For Downton Abbey fans, the key is the setting: a late 19th- century country estate, where you can wander freely, imagining yourself as one of the Crawleys and searching for clues.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Steam
Secrets of Blackrock Manor
Another game where you can wander through an estate reminiscent of the TV series “Downton Abbey” is a first-person escape room. You’ll have to solve mysteries surrounding the estate’s late owner, who is rumored to have hidden his fortune somewhere on the grounds. To do so, you’ll have to navigate several escape room locations. But you’ll also be able to enjoy the luxury of the house, just like the aristocrats in the series.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam
Botany Manor
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a luxurious, lavishly furnished country house without the murders and mysteries, this cozy game is just what you need. Although you play as Arabella Green, wandering around a Somerset estate, you can imagine yourself as Lady Crawley from Downton Abbey, growing unusual plants using point-and-click puzzles. Essentially, the gameplay boils down to being a leisured lady who has found a pleasant hobby on her vast estate—much like how Lady Crawley must have lived between episodes.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam
Lords of the Manors
Although the game is set in the Middle Ages rather than the Victorian or Edwardian eras, Manor Lords lets you imagine yourself as Lord Crawley’s ancestor, managing a nascent settlement, establishing an estate, and striving for power. Playing in the “Rise to Prosperity” mode, without combat, frees you from worrying about raising an army and fighting enemies, allowing you to focus on resource management, maintaining the well-being and productivity of your population, and making improvements. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to own a vast estate, this is the game for you.
Platforms: Xbox, Steam
The best podcasts like Downton Abbey.
Half the fun of Downton Abbey is its gossipy tone and evocation of a bygone era. These podcasts will help you appreciate the show more deeply and relive those same emotions.
Lords of Grantham
If you’re looking for a fan-focused podcast that feels like hanging out with your friends obsessed with the show, try Lords of Grantham . Dave and Corey break down episodes, rank characters, and have a goofy time, looking at everything from a distinctly American perspective. It’s not a podcast where you’ll find a lot of historical research or in-depth analysis, but you’ll definitely have a blast.
Go to hell, down below!
Up Yours, Downstairs! is a deeper exploration of Downton Abbey (and other historical TV series and films), its characters, history, and themes, written in a raucous, raunchy tone that’s both funny and enlightening. It’s like interacting with fans who also happen to be knowledgeable (and slightly tipsy) Anglophiles and historians.
The Gilded Gentleman
If you’re looking to learn more about the lives of the aristocracy and their servants in Victorian/Edwardian England and the Gilded Age in America, this podcast is perfect for you. Cassell Raymond delves into culture, social customs, and social contracts, offering insights that will help you better understand TV shows and films like Downton Abbey , as you’ll appreciate all the small details and subtleties embedded in the plot.
Beacon Hill
This audio drama from Colonial Radio Theater is set in Boston in 1898, but fans of Downton Abbey will love it because it explores the lives and complexities of the wealthy Prescott family and their servants in Gilded Age America. Like Downton Abbey , the drama weaves real historical events and people into its stories, recreating a time and place that no longer exists.
Secrets of the Edwardian Era by Stephen Fry
Narrated by the always charming Stephen Fry, this book is a deep dive into Edwardian England, offering a broader perspective on the period that shaped the early years of Downton. Stephen Fry’s Edwardian Secrets explores topics such as racism, politics, sex, and religion to give you a full understanding of what it was like to live in England at the time, whether as a wealthy landowner or a servant tied to the estate in a way we can’t truly understand today.