7 epic period dramas on JioHotstar that bring history to life

Step into a world of palaces, dynasties, and unforgettable characters with these captivating period dramas now streaming on JioHotstar. Each show blends history with gripping storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and richly drawn characters who bring the past alive.

Whether you’re fascinated by royal intrigue, political rivalries, epic battles, or stories of love and identity shaped by another era, these shows promise an immersive escape into history from the comfort of your home.

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1. The Empire

The Empire transports viewers to the early 16th century, tracing the rise of Babur (Kunal Kapoor), founder of the Mughal dynasty. Beginning in Farghana—located in present-day Uzbekistan—the series follows Babur from a young, inexperienced prince to a determined conqueror who lays the foundation of one of India’s greatest empires.

Inspired by Alex Rutherford’s Empire of the Moghul novels, the show is a dramatic re-imagining rather than a strict historical retelling. It captures everything from brutal battles and palace conspiracies to the influence of powerful women shaping Mughal politics. The series dives deep into Babur’s personal life too—his fears, failures, relationships, and longing for a lasting legacy. With lavish sets, intricate costumes, intense war sequences, and standout performances by Kunal Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Drashti Dhami, and Dino Morea, The Empire paints a grand and emotionally gripping portrait of the dynasty’s early years.

2. Shōgun

Set in the 1600s, Shōgun is a visually stunning, deeply layered historical drama based on James Clavell’s celebrated novel. The series begins when English navigator John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) is shipwrecked in Japan, a land unlike anything he has known. Caught in a web of political rivalries and cultural complexities, he becomes entangled in the ambitions of powerful daimyo Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada).

As Toranaga fights to outmanoeuvre rival warlords who want him destroyed, Blackthorne is drawn into the world of samurai honour, strict codes, and deadly battles. Through him, viewers experience Japan’s feudal society up close—its beauty, brutality, and rigid traditions. Known for its meticulous attention to period detail, breathtaking landscapes, and compelling performances (especially Sanada and Anna Sawai), Shōgun feels like a cinematic journey into another world. It is intense, immersive, and emotionally powerful.

3. The Great

If you love period dramas with humour, energy, and irreverent charm, The Great is the perfect pick. Starring Elle Fanning as Catherine the Great and Nicholas Hoult as the chaotic Peter III, this historical comedy-drama reimagines Catherine’s rise to power with a bold, playful twist.

The series follows Catherine as she arrives in Russia as a hopeful young bride, only to realise her husband is incompetent, childish, and disastrously unfit to rule. Determined to change the fate of Russia—and her own—she begins plotting a coup. What follows is a delightful mix of wit, political scheming, emotional turmoil, and surprisingly heartfelt moments. Though it’s only loosely based on real events, the show uses humour to explore power, ambition, freedom, and resilience. With vibrant performances, sharp writing, and a modern sensibility, The Great is an addictive take on history’s most famous empress.

4. The Gilded Age

Set in 1880s New York—a time of explosive wealth, ambition, and social transformation—The Gilded Age is an elegant period drama from the creator of Downton Abbey. It captures the fierce clash between old money families who cling to tradition and new money industrialists redefining American society.

The story centres around Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson), a young woman who moves to New York after her father’s death to live with her wealthy but conservative aunts. As she enters high society, she finds herself caught between two worlds: the established elite and the bold newcomers like the Russell family, who are determined to rise in status. With its opulent mansions, lavish costumes, and compelling social commentary, the show offers a thoughtful and glamorous look into one of America’s most influential eras. Themes of class, ambition, love, and reinvention make The Gilded Age both visually stunning and emotionally rich.

5. The Artful Dodger

A creative and lively continuation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, The Artful Dodger imagines what becomes of Jack Dawkins years after his pickpocketing days in London. Now living in 1850s Australia, Jack (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) has reinvented himself as a talented surgeon in New South Wales. His carefully built new life begins to unravel when his former mentor, the cunning Fagin (David Thewlis), unexpectedly shows up.

Pulled back into criminal temptations while trying to uphold his respectable new identity, Jack struggles to balance who he was with who he hopes to become. With fast-paced storytelling, witty dialogue, and charismatic performances, the show blends crime, drama, and humour while honouring the spirit of Dickens’ characters. It’s fresh, fun, and full of heart.

6. Rome

Rome is a grand historical epic that dramatizes the turbulent final years of the Roman Republic. Set in the 1st century BCE, the series chronicles major events such as Julius Caesar’s rise to power, the civil wars, and the birth of the Roman Empire.

While the series features legendary figures like Caesar, Mark Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian, it is grounded by the fictionalised journeys of two soldiers—Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson). Through their eyes, viewers witness the political machinations, betrayals, brutal battles, and shifting alliances that shaped Rome’s destiny. Gritty, emotionally intense, and beautifully crafted, Rome offers a deeply human perspective on one of history’s most dramatic eras.

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7. Gentleman Jack

Bold, vibrant, and ahead of its time, Gentleman Jack tells the extraordinary true story of Anne Lister—an English landowner, traveller, entrepreneur, and diarist often called “the first modern lesbian.” Set in 1830s Yorkshire, the series follows Anne (Suranne Jones) as she returns to her ancestral estate, Shibden Hall, determined to restore her family’s fortunes.

Fearless and unapologetically herself, Anne breaks every societal rule—from managing estates to conducting business deals to openly pursuing romance with women. Her relationship with wealthy heiress Ann Walker (Sophie Rundle) forms the emotional centre of the series. Cleverly using Lister’s real diary entries—some written in secret code—the show is witty, empowering, and beautifully acted.