If you loved the romantic drama and coming-of-age journey of 'Great Expectations' (1998), you're in for a treat! This article explores 10 similar movies and shows that capture the same essence of love, ambition, and self-discovery. Whether you're drawn to period pieces, emotional storytelling, or complex characters, these recommendations will keep you captivated.

Vanity Fair (2004)
Description: A satirical take on social climbing and ambition in Regency England, with a sharp-witted protagonist navigating love and betrayal.
Fact: The adaptation features a modern soundtrack, including contemporary songs, to underscore its timeless themes.


Daniel Deronda (2002)
Description: A story of identity, love, and self-discovery, blending personal drama with broader social and political themes of the Victorian era.
Fact: The novel by George Eliot was controversial in its time for its sympathetic portrayal of Jewish characters and themes.


Jane Eyre (2011)
Description: A classic period drama featuring a strong-willed protagonist navigating societal constraints and personal hardships, with themes of love, morality, and redemption.
Fact: The film was shot in Derbyshire, England, using many of the same locations as the 2006 adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice.'


The Paradise (2012)
Description: A lush period drama set in a glamorous department store, exploring themes of ambition, romance, and the rise of consumer culture in the 19th century.
Fact: The show was inspired by Émile Zola's novel 'The Ladies' Paradise,' but relocated the story to Northern England for its adaptation.


Middlemarch (1994)
Description: A multi-layered narrative about ambition, love, and societal expectations in a provincial town, featuring complex characters and moral dilemmas.
Fact: The series was adapted from George Eliot's novel, which is often considered one of the greatest works of English literature.


The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1996)
Description: A bold exploration of marital strife, independence, and redemption, featuring a heroine who defies societal norms to protect her child.
Fact: The novel by Anne Brontë was groundbreaking for its frank depiction of alcoholism and domestic abuse.


The Forsyte Saga (2002)
Description: A multi-generational family saga examining wealth, love, and betrayal, set against the changing social landscape of late Victorian and Edwardian England.
Fact: The series was a remake of the iconic 1967 adaptation, which was the first BBC drama to be sold to the Soviet Union.


The Crimson Petal and the White (2011)
Description: A gritty, atmospheric portrayal of Victorian London, focusing on the lives of women from different social strata, with themes of ambition and survival.
Fact: The series was based on Michel Faber's best-selling novel, which took over a decade to write.


Bleak House (2005)
Description: A richly detailed adaptation of a Victorian novel, exploring themes of inheritance, justice, and social inequality through intricate storytelling and vivid characters.
Fact: The series was praised for its innovative use of a contemporary editing style, blending fast-paced cuts with traditional period drama aesthetics.


Little Dorrit (2008)
Description: A sweeping tale of debt, imprisonment, and familial duty, set against the backdrop of 19th-century London, with a focus on resilience and social critique.
Fact: The production used the historic streets of Bath to recreate the atmosphere of Victorian London.
