Discover the captivating allure of the best mid-century historical drama series. Dive into a curated list of the finest series that beautifully blend mid-century fashion and decor with compelling storytelling, transporting viewers to bygone eras.
While I love to watch TV shows from the mid-century like Donna Reed and I Love Lucy, I also love to watch modern TV shows that take place in the mid-century.
There are some really good ones out there and I just love seeing the fashion and decor when they do a good job with the design. Some historical dramas don’t seem to do much research, looking at you When Calls the Heart.
If you also love mid-century fashion, decor, and watching historical dramas you need to check out my list of my favorite mid-century TV shows from recent years.
Mid-Century Historical Drama Series
Mad Men
Mad Men is my favorite on this list. It’s one of my all-time favorite shows. The production design team did an amazing job and the homes and fashion are just so beautiful.
Mad Men is set in the 1960s in New York City. It highlights the golden age of advertising and the drama that surrounded the time. There are 7 seasons and they are all really enjoyable.
Mad Men is currently streaming on AMC+ and you can get a free trial to check it out.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Golden Globe-winning original from Amazon is a fun show that is part drama and part comedy. It is set in the late 1950s- early 1960s in New York. It follows a housewife when her life takes a surprising turn and she becomes a stand-up comic.
It was written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator of Gilmore Girls. There were 5 seasons and if you ask me that wasn’t enough but it’s a great watch.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is available on Amazon to stream.
Call the Midwife
In addition to shows set in the mid-century, I also love British TV shows so it’s no surprise that I love Call the Midwife. It’s set in post-war London and follows midwives dealing with some tough situations.
The show was based on a book which was written by one of the midwives. There have been 13 seasons so far and the show is still airing on BBC and PBS.
You can stream several places including PBS, Hulu, and Netflix, and you can also buy the series on Amazon.
Pan Am
This is a very underrated show that only ran for one season but is worth the watch. It features Margot Robbie and she is so good in the show. It gives us a look at the 1960s Jet Age and the Pan Am airline.
It’s available to stream on AMC+ and you can get a free trial to check it out.
The Astronaut Wives Club
This is another underrated show with only one season. It’s based on Lily Koppel’s book “The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story.” It follows the wives of women who went from being military spouses to American royalty as the space race was taking America by storm.
It’s available to buy on Amazon, Apple+, and a few other streaming services.
Why Women Kill
This is a newer show but only had two seasons. It’s a dark comedic drama that features a total of 4 different stories. The first season follows three women in different decades: a housewife in the 1960s, a socialite in the 1980s, and a lawyer in the 2010s. The second season only follows one woman, a housewife in the 1940s.
While the whole first season doesn’t just feature the mid-century, each episode does highlight that story so you will find plenty of beautiful fashion and decor to enjoy.
Why Women Kill is streaming on Paramount+ and you can get a free trial right now.
Bomb Girls
Bomb Girls is a Canadian TV show that was originally intended to be a mini-series but turned into two seasons. It takes place during World War II and highlights women working at a Canadian munitions factory.
It’s streaming for free with ads on Amazon.
Land Girls
Land Girls is a British show that has three seasons. It follows women who joined Britain’s Women’s Land Army during the war to help with the war effort and do their bit at home. It’s a very well-done show and an interesting look at a side of war that is not talked about enough.
You can stream Land Girls on Amazon with a free trial of PBS Masterpiece.
If you are looking for 1950s TV shows that aired during the mid-century be sure to check out 1950s Shows You Can Watch Online. There are so many good ones to enjoy.
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