The Gilded Age Meets Downton Abbey In Apple TV's Lavish 3-Part Period Drama

Published Jul 31, 2026, 4:30 PM EDT El is a Junior TV Features Editor for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel. Apple TV's lavish three-season period drama is a compelling, romantic cross between The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey. While both of creator Julian Fellowes' hit historical dramas examine the upper classes of society, they do so in vastly different ways. The Gilded Age explores the clash between the generationally wealthy and the "nouveau riche" of American society during the late 19th century, while Downton Abbey follows an old-money, aristocratic English dynasty in the early 20th century, as Britain's land-owning families struggle to keep their vast estates afloat amid changing politics and social revolutions. These shows are all about earned power versus duty-bound heritage, new rules versus old rules, worlds and social circles that rarely collide, but when they do, it's explosive. The conflicts, wealth, opulence, and social drama of both The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey come together in Apple TV's The Buccaneers, as the daughters of America's wealthiest gilded, newly rich families make the crossing over to England to participate in the London social season on a quest to find love and suitable husbands (though not necessarily always in that order). Based on beloved author Edith Wharton's unfinished final novel of the same name — published for the first time after she died in 1938 — The Buccaneers is set in the 1870s and follows Nan St. George (Kristine Frøseth), her sister, Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse), and their three closest friends, Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag), Conchita (Alisha Boe), and Mabel (Josie Totah) as they navigate British society, face the scrutiny of Britain's wealthiest families, and bring chaos to the country's most extravagant balls. The Buccaneers Is Apple TV's Answer To Bridgerton, But It Stands On Its Own While The Buccaneers examines many of the same narrative and historical themes as The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey, it also has a strong focus on romance, as each of the titular Buccaneers hopes to find a love match and start their lives anew. Streamers have recently found massive success with the romance genre, adapting dozens of the publishing world's most popular romance novels, from contemporary romances to sports romance hits and, of course, historical romance sagas. While few can hold a candle to the overwhelming viewership found by Netflix's Bridgerton, The Buccaneers is a strong contender. Like Bridgerton, there are plenty of stunning, opulent masquerade balls, secretive parties, and swoon-worthy, steamy scenes to sink your teeth into, especially in the turbulent love triangle between Nan, Theo, the Duke of Tintagel (Guy Remmers), and his closest friend, Guy Thwarte (Matthew Broome). The show also isn't afraid to be more angst-driven than the average romance, which allows it to stand on its own beyond the obvious comparisons to Bridgerton. Season 2, for instance, includes plenty of ambitious, darker, and more mature storylines. Jinny's arc is especially tragic, as what she believed was her fairytale ending devolves into something much more sinister. Most importantly, though, The Buccaneers is a tale of friendship and sisterhood. Above all, it's their love story. None of these young women would be who they are without each other, even when they keep secrets from one another or knowingly stab each other in the back. They're the ultimate 19th-century girl squad, and the show has found the perfect balance between historical storylines, compelling romance, feminist storytelling, and family drama. The Buccaneers Season 3 Is On Its Way After The Buccaneers season 2's explosive finale in August 2025, it took Apple TV two months to officially renew the series for season 3. Production reportedly commenced in February 2026 and may still be ongoing. There was roughly a year-and-a-half gap between the end of season 1 and the premiere of season 2. Hopefully, this means The Buccaneers season 3 will arrive near the end of this year, or early 2027 at the latest. The core cast is expected to return in full, including Christina Hendricks as Mrs. St. George and Amelia Bullmore as Theo's domineering mother, the Dowager Duchess of Tintagel. Joining the ensemble is The Vampire Diaries and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds favorite, Paul Wesley. His character, named Frank, has officially been described as "a mysterious but charming stranger who arrives into Nan and Mrs. St. George’s world, turning it upside down" (via Deadline). Whether Leighton Meester's character will return in the new episodes remains to be seen. Apple TV's synopsis for season 3 reads: “Our Buccaneers are fighting back. And they’re doing it together. When they arrived in England they were all navigating their first loves. Now, they’re looking for the loves of their lives, and with a new and enigmatic Duke at the helm, Tintagel is also facing an uncertain future. If polite English society thought our American girls rocked the boat, this new bad-boy Duke is about to sink the ship.” Who will be playing the mysterious new Duke of Tintagel has yet to be confirmed, but no matter who steps into the role, The Buccaneers season 3 is sure to be the show's most electrifying season yet. Bring on the drama (and the tissues). All episodes of The Buccaneers are streaming now on Apple TV. Release Date November 8, 2023 Network Apple TV+ Showrunner Katherine Jakeways Cast Kristine Froseth Nan St. George Alisha Boe Conchita Closson Directors Charlotte Regan Writers Emma Jane Unsworth