Royal rows, backstabbing nobles and blood on the battlefield - history has always been juicier than fiction. While the major streaming giants are serving up an endless array of viewing options, there are plenty of period dramas that do it better than the rest. Some take you inside the throne rooms where kings and queens play dirty to hold on to power, others follow unlikely heroes dragged into wars and betrayals that shaped a nation.
These dramas are full of scheming, scandal and shocks that make even the wildest soap storylines look tame. From war-torn villages to Shakespearean gore, they'll pull you straight into the danger and drama of the past. So if you're looking to binge some betrayal, and feast on some nail-biting crown wars, here are six gripping period dramas guaranteed to keep you hooked.

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