Stream the best historical British dramas and mysteries with PBS Masterpiece
Stream the best historical British dramas and mysteries with PBS Masterpiece
Go back in time with period dramas and literary adaptations that transport you to another era.
I love when stories whisk me away to another time and place. That’s one of the great powers of television – and few streamers have mastered the art of transporting viewers into lush period dramas, gripping mysteries, and quality adaptations like PBS Masterpiece. Whether it’s the sweeping landscapes of “Poldark,” or the upstairs-downstairs drama of “Downton Abbey,” this streamer offers an escape into worlds where the stakes are high, the romance is hot, and the storytelling is top-notch. If you’ve never explored PBS Masterpiece, now’s the time - it’s the ultimate destination for anyone who loves rich narratives, complex characters, and a little bit of British flair. Here’s everything you need to know about PBS Masterpiece.
Everything you need to know about PBS Masterpiece
What is PBS Masterpiece?
PBS Masterpiece is a subscription-based, ad-free streaming platform focusing on top-tier British and international romance dramas and mysteries. When you add PBS Masterpiece as a channel on Prime Video, you instantly unlock a huge library of over 1,500 episodes, including beloved series like “Miss Scarlet and the Duke,” “Poldark,” and “Moonflower Murder.” You can also get access to PBS Masterpiece through PBS Passport, which is a member benefit from participating in PBS stations that give eligible donors on-demand access to PBS content.
What really sets PBS Masterpiece apart, though, is its exclusive content and focus on period dramas and literary adaptations. The platform offers a wide selection of historical stories, bringing classic literature to life with high-quality productions. From adaptations of Jane Austen novels to original series like “Sanditon,” viewers are immersed in meticulously crafted stories that transport them to different historical ears. Beyond its extensive library, PBS Masterpiece also provides unique features like exclusive behind-the-scenes content, interviews with cast and creators, and special features that delve deeper into the making of each series.
PBS Masterpiece
PBS Masterpiece is a video streaming service for exceptional British drama and award-winning TV series from around the world.
How much does PBS Masterpiece cost?
PBS Masterpiece costs $6 per month, which includes an ad-free experience and offline downloads. However, when you add PBS Masterpiece as an Amazon Prime Video channel, you’ll receive a seven-day free trial to see if you like it. This is the best way to add the channel so it fits seamlessly into your streaming environment.
What popular murder mystery and historical romance shows can you watch on PBS Masterpiece?
One of the newer and more popular shows on PBS Masterpiece is “Miss Scarlet and the Duke,” - a fun, fast-paced crime drama set in 1880s London. It follows Eliza Scarlet (played by Kate Phillips), a smart and determined woman who takes over her father’s detective agency after his death. In a time when women weren’t expected to do much beyond getting married, Eliza tackles tough cases and proves she’s just as good - if not better - than the men around her. She often teams up with her old friend, Detective Inspector William “The Duke” Wellington, whose no-nonsense attitude clashes with Eliza’s fun style. Their partnership is full of quick banter, a bit of tension, and plenty of sparks, making this show well worth a look for period murder-mystery fans.
Another newer show worth checking out is “Moonflower Murder.” This intriguing mystery series pulls Susan Ryeland (played by the incredible Leslie Manville), a former book editor turned amateur detective, into a real-life cold case. After leaving her publishing job, Susan is asked to investigate the disappearance of Cecily Treherne, whose parents are convinced the key to solving the mystery lies in an old manuscript Susan worked on. The book, written by crime author Alan Conway, seems to mirror the events surrounding Cecily’s vanishing. As Susan digs deeper, she uncovers hidden clues, unexpected twists, and connections between fiction and reality, making this a must-watch for fans of smart, layered mysteries.
Animal lovers should check out “All Creatures Great and Small” – based on the series of books by British author James Herriot, who pulled from his real-life experiences as a rural veterinarian. The TV series is a feel-good drama set in the rolling hills of Yorkshire in the 1930s and 1940s. It follows James Herriot, a young veterinarian, as he starts his career in a tight-knit rural community. From treating quirky animals to navigating local personalities, James faces plenty of challenges, but his kindness and humor win over even the toughest clients. The show is packed with heartwarming moments, breathtaking countryside views, and a celebration of the bond between humans and their animals.
And for fans of darker international series, there’s “Vienna Blood” - a crime drama set in 1900s Vienna. The show follows Max Liebermann, a young doctor fascinated by the workings of the human mind, and Oskar Rheinhardt, a seasoned detective. Together, they solve chilling murders that reveal the darker side of Vienna’s glamorous disguise. Max uses his knowledge of psychology to uncover motives and unravel mysteries, while Oskar brings his practical experience and sharp instincts. With stunning period details and complex characters, “Vienna Blood” is a must-watch for fans of historical mysteries with a darker, psychological twist.
What are some of the other popular titles on PBS Masterpiece?
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The Marlow Murder Club
March 6, 2024Retired archaeologist Judith Potts lives alone in a faded mansion in the peaceful town of Marlow, filling her time by setting crosswords for the local paper. During one of her regular wild swims in the Thames, Judith hears a gunshot coming from a neighbour’s garden and believes a brutal murder has taken place.
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Mr Selfridge
January 6, 2013Mr. Selfridge recounts the real life story of the flamboyant and visionary American founder of Selfridge’s, London’s lavish department store. Set in 1909 London, when women were reveling in a new sense of freedom and modernity, it follows Harry Gordon Selfridge (‘Mile a Minute Harry’), a man with a mission to make shopping as thrilling as sex. Pioneering and reckless, with an almost manic energy, Harry created a theater of retail where any topic or trend that was new, exciting, entertaining - or just eccentric - was showcased.
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The Sketch Artist
April 15, 2021A crime thriller seen through the unique angle of a young forensic sketch artist, who works in the investigation unit of the Police Department. As part of a team, she will help try to solve a laundry list of sordid crimes across the city and also tackle cold cases that have been set aside so that justice will be finally served … even if old wounds are opened in the process.
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Van der Valk
January 1, 2020Set against the backdrop of the city of Amsterdam, Piet Van der Valk and his team investigate a series of high-profile cases immersed in the worlds of art, politics, addiction, mysticism and the fashion industry.
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Astrid: Murder in Paris
March 13, 2020Astrid Nielsen works in the library of the judicial police. She has Asperger’s syndrome. With an incredible memory, she excels at analyzing files of ongoing investigations. The district commander decides to use it to the fullest, entrusting her with very complex investigations which have remained unsolved to date.
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Ridley
August 28, 2022Retired Detective Inspector Alex Ridley is lured back into service as a consultant detective when his former protégée, Carol Farman, needs help cracking a complex murder case.
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Poldark
March 8, 2015Britain is in the grip of a chilling recession… falling wages, rising prices, civil unrest - only the bankers are smiling. It’s 1783 and Ross Poldark returns from the American War of Independence to his beloved Cornwall to find his world in ruins: his father dead, the family mine long since closed, his house wrecked and his sweetheart pledged to marry his cousin. But Ross finds that hope and love can be found when you are least expecting it in the wild but beautiful Cornish landscape.
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Miss Scarlet and the Duke
March 31, 2020When Eliza Scarlet’s father dies, he leaves her penniless, but she resolves to continue his detective agency. To operate in a male-dominated world, though, she needs a partner… step forward a detective known as the Duke. Eliza and The Duke strike up a mismatched, fiery relationship as they team up to solve crime in the murkiest depths of 1880’s London.
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Moonflower Murders
September 15, 2024Susan has left publishing and is living in Crete with her long-time boyfriend, Andreas. But her idyll is disturbed by the shadow of a murder committed at a British country hotel eight years ago. Alan Conway visited the hotel and wrote a novel based on what happened there. Cecily MacNeil, the young woman who helps run the hotel, read the book and believed the wrong man had been arrested. Now she has disappeared. Can Susan uncover the secret hidden in the book and find Cecily before it is too late?
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Sanditon
August 25, 2019The spirited and impulsive Charlotte Heywood moves from her rural home to Sanditon, a fishing village attempting to reinvent itself as a seaside resort.
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All Creatures Great & Small
September 1, 2020The heartwarming and humorous adventures of a young country vet in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1930s. A remake of the 1978 series.
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Vienna Blood
November 18, 2019Max Liebermann, a student of Sigmund Freud, helps Detective Rheinhardt in the investigation of a series of disturbing murders around the grand cafes and opera houses of 1900s Vienna.
What platforms can you use to watch PBS Masterpiece?
PBS Masterpiece is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.