You ever see a tweet and think "oh, I am uniquely qualified to reply to this?" Yes, probably, that's Twitter's whole deal. But look, I just can't leave @bessbell hanging!
Pleasant, low-stakes British shows if I've watched Downton Abbey 5 times and can't physically do it again?
— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) October 28, 2021
Being in the business of drama here at GBH, there are more than a few excellent shows we have streaming on GBH Passport right now that fit the bill. Here are some of my personal favorites, which you can watch anytime on GBH.org or on the PBS App .
All Creatures Great and Small
This isn't quite "no thoughts just vibes" (we're a PBS station), but between the absolutely stunning scenery, adorable animals, and gentle hijinks, it's pretty damn close. If you've ever wanted to feel like your brain is swaddled in beautiful knitwear, this is the show for you.
Poldark
Maybe you were a fan of Tom's progressive nature butting up against the status quo on Downton Abbey? If that's you, you'll absolutely connect with Ross Poldark, the people's mine-owner (I know that sounds weird but trust me). Incidentally, the scenery in this show is notorious, and I'm not just talking about the beaches of Cornwall 👀.
Sanditon
Obviously we can't talk about dramas set at the beach without discussing The Big One. Sanditon was recently renewed for a season two, and features low-stakes British sports, dramatic outdoor declarations of love, and headstrong women who will remind you of the Crawley sisters, except that Charlotte and Georgiana actually treat each other well (Mary and Edith could never).
Miss Scarlet & The Duke
Did you enjoy rule-breaking feminist Sybil? What about unlikely friendships? Then you'll probably also like Miss Scarlet & The Duke, a victorian-era detective show with quirky crimes, a snarky and smart lady detective lead, and her grumpy, rule-following policeman foil. Come for the mysteries, stay for the banter (or is it the other way around?).
North and South
This one is a classic for a reason. Yearning? Check. Enemies to Lovers? Check. Young Brendan Coyle (Bates on Downton)? Check! You're not going to quite get the full on fanciness of the Downton upstairs crew, but this one has a riot AND a romantic denoument on a train platform.
