Most crime dramas are supposed to take place in the 21st century. This is most evident by whatever technology is available when the series was made and, if it is a newer series, more modern references to social media, AI, and other creations the 2000s and forward have seen. Cell phones, computers, anything technology-related, you name it it’s more than likely in the more modernized crime dramas.
This isn’t always the case, though. Period pieces, or dramas that take place in a different time, have started to see a surge of popularity on multiple streaming platforms. From completely fictionalized to stories that are based on or around true people and events, Netflix has several period piece crime dramas that any history buff or crime drama enthusiast will love.
Note: All shows listed are shows available in the U.S. on Netflix.
Peaky Blinders
Our first entry takes us to Birmingham, England, all the way back in 1919. Starring Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, and Sophie Rundle, Peaky Blinders follows a dangerous gang and their crime boss, Tommy Shelby, who is determined to move up in the world.
Lasting for six seasons between 2013 and 2022, Peaky Blinders received 8.7 out of 10 stars on IMDb and, thanks to its high popularity, will see a sequel series as well as a full-length film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, expected to be released in 2026.
The Law According to Lidia Poët
Taking viewers all the way back to 1883, The Law According to Lidia Poët tells a dramatized version of the life of Italy’s first female lawyer, Lidia Poët, and her fight to practice law again after becoming disbarred. Taking on cases that force her to defend the desperate and falsely accused in a patriarchal world, the story shows Lidia’s fight for equality in a society that has not recognized gender equality.
Having started in 2024 and now with two seasons under its belt, The Law According to Lidia Poët has already been renewed for a third season. With an IMDb rating of 7.5 out of 10, this doesn’t come as a surprise.
Warrior
Set in 1878 San Francisco, Warrior follows the life of a Japanese immigrant and martial arts expert Ah Sahm. Now in a new country and environment, he joins a powerful crime family, known as the Hop Wei, becoming their enforcer. The three seasons follow Sahm confronting rival Chinatown gangs.
Warrior stars Andrew Koji, Olivia Cheng, and Jason Tobin. Ending after season three, it received a 8.4 out of 10 on IMDb. There remains a fight to save Warrior from cancellation, but it's not been successful yet.
Mindhunter
Focusing on two FBI agents in the 1970s, Mindhunter takes a more psychological approach to period pieces. While still in a time period different than ours, Mindhunter continues with the trend of going into the psychological aspects of murder and learning how real-life monsters think.
Starring Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv, Mindhunter lasted for two seasons from 2017 to 2019. Considering its 8.6 out of 10 rating, this short, but highly rated series is not to be missed.
Alias Grace
While only a standalone mini-series rather than a full-on series like the rest of the entries on this list, Alias Grace is too compelling to ignore. Based on the award-winning novel by Margaret Atwood, Alias Grace follows the story of a psychiatrist in 19th-century Canada. A charged killer placed in front of them, the psychiatrist must decide whether or not the killer can be pardoned due to insanity.
Alias Grace stars Sarah Gadon, Edward Holcroft, and Rebecca Liddiard. Consisting of six episodes, the mini-series received a 7.6 out of 10 rating.
From the 18th to 19th century, the point of view of criminals to those of the law, the period piece crime dramas Netflix has to offer are infinite and no doubt have something for everyone. So curl up on the couch and start scrolling, there’s a period piece waiting for you.
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