Period or period dramas are very popular among Chinese drama lovers. This genre includes shows that take place in a particular period or era. The costumes and makeup worn by the characters are reminiscent of that particular era in history. Period dramas can represent a variety of subgenres, including thriller, romance, etc.
From Youku The double to The Royal PrincessHere is a list Chinese period dramas that are available to stream on Netflix:
The Double (2024)
The Double, with Wu Jinyan and Wang Xingyue in the lead roles, is one of the most popular Chinese dramas set to premiere in 2024. The drama has broken several records and has proven to be one of the best thriller dramas of the year.
It tells the story of Xue Fang Fei (Wu Jinyan), a daughter of a highly educated family of scholars who falls prey to conspiracies after going against her family to marry the man she loves. Manipulated by various forces, her power-hungry husband falsely frames her for adultery.
After he attempts to murder her and leaves her to die in a ditch, his life is saved by the unfortunate daughter of a minister. After her benefactress passes away, she borrows her name and identity and returns to the capital to punish those who wronged her.
Fang Fei has at her side her new lover, Duke Su (Wang Xingyue), and the family of her savior. Together, they help the young emperor identify the traitors and also unravel the mysteries that threaten the peace of the kingdom.
The Royal Princess (2024)
This Chinese period romance drama features Zhang Linghe and Zhao Jinmai in the lead roles. As seen in the official previewThe drama tells the story of Li Rong (Zhao Jinmai) and Pei Wen Xuan (Zhang Linghe), who get married at a very young age. Although they loved each other at first, their love faded away over time.
This desperate situation causes Li Rong to fall in love with someone else. Meanwhile, Wen Xuan devotes herself completely to serving her nation. This allows the conspirators to take advantage of this situation and turn them against each other, leading to them being killed.
But a paranormal phenomenon makes them go back in time and wake up in the year they got married. Although they want to stop the marriage before the situation gets worse, like last time, they end up falling in love with each other.
Who rules the world? (2022)
This Wuxia C-drama features popular actors Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi in the lead roles. It is an adaptation of the novel “Qie Shi Tian Xia” by Qing Ling Yue. The love story follows two individuals with opposing ideologies. But they fall in love because they both excel in their individual fields. They join hands to fight against political injustice and betrayal. As time goes by, love begins to blossom between them.
Princess Weiyoung (2016)
In this dramatic period, the sudden destruction of the Northern Wei Dynasty leaves Princess Feng Xin Er orphaned and alone. Although she manages to escape death, she accidentally enters the enemy’s territory. Desperate to find shelter, she borrows the identity of Li Wei Young, the daughter of the Prime Minister. She faces many obstacles, but eventually uses her wits and sense of justice to become one of the most powerful women in the country.
Goodbye my princess (2019)
A love story blossoms between Xiao Feng (Peng Xiao Ran), the ninth princess of Western Liang and the crown prince. Both are hiding their own plans. While Xiao Feng leaves the life he knew to become the crown princess, the prince has no choice but to marry the princess of a foreign land for political reasons.
The newlyweds don’t get along. He has his own favorite concubine, while she has her own life. Amidst a deadly power play in the dangerous Eastern Palace, buried memories begin to resurface.
Apart from these, The Legend of Anle (2023) and Judge Dee’s Mystery (2024) are also worth mentioning. Enjoy streaming!