Considering that the romance genre has always been a fan-favorite, it’s not surprising that some of the most captivating love stories have taken the front and center stage on television. But who says you need a dozen seasons to sweep audiences off their feet? Romance miniseries prove that the most memorable love tales can unfold in just a handful of episodes.
From iconic period pieces to contemporary stories of missed chances and miscommunication, several limited shows have perfectly captured the joy and ache of falling in love—and sometimes even the bittersweet pain of falling apart. We round up some of the best romance miniseries, from One Day to Pride and Prejudice, each one a testament to the power of love stories told in miniature.
10
‘My Lady Jane’ (2024)
Created by Gemma Burgess
Re-imagining the tragic story of Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) by inviting audiences to a fantastical adventure that throws historical intrigue with magic and romance into the mix, Gemma Burgess‘ series illustrates Jane as she is thrust into a politically arranged marriage with Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel). The twist? Guildford can transform into a horse, and the two must navigate a kingdom riven by prejudice.
Exploring themes of empowerment, agency, and the fight against societal prejudice, My Lady Jane is a solid pick for those who love bold female characters and unique romances. Thanks to its cheeky humor and striking cinematography, this 2024 miniseries delivers a captivating blend of period detail, contemporary wit, and fantasy elements.
My Lady Jane
- Release Date
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2024 – 2023
- Showrunner
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Gemma Burgess, Meredith Glynn
9
‘Daisy Jones & the Six’ (2023)
Created by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Drawing inspiration from the iconic Fleetwood Mac, Daisy Jones & the Six chronicles the meteoric rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band. The story follows Daisy Jones (Riley Keough), an independent singer-songwriter with a troubled past, and Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin), a conflicted band leader, as they navigate their band and romantic chemistry, which often threatens to tear it all apart.
Part of what makes this Taylor Jenkins Reid series so appealing is the way it is filmed in a pseudo-documentary style, making it all the more believable for audiences to grasp the thought that the band really existed. The miniseries recounts the band’s journey while exploring the web of love and ambition that binds them together, always with a strong focus on Daisy and Billy’s complicated, layered relationship.
8
‘Fellow Travelers’ (2023)
Created by Ron Nyswaner
This essential LGBTQ+ TV series is a decade-spanning romance and political thriller that illustrates the volatile love story between the charismatic but closeted State Department official Hawkins Fuller (Matthew Bomer) and young and idealistic congressional staffer Timothy Laughlin (Jonathan Bailey).
Throughout the show, Hawkins and Timothy’s relationship unfolds across three turbulent decades. Ranging from the Vietnam War, the hedonistic 1970s, and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. At its core, Fellow Travelers is as much about the political and social barriers that shape lives as it is about love, resulting in a captivating meditation on memory, regret, and longing. Both Bailey and Bomer deliver powerhouse performances, with a chemistry that is both passionate and heartbreaking.
7
‘War & Peace’ (2016)
Created by David Conroy
Bringing Tolstoy‘s monumental novel to life as a six-part miniseries, David Conroy‘s War & Peace is set against the backdrop of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. The show follows the connected fates of five aristocratic families, with a focus on the idealistic Pierre Bezukhov (Paul Dano), Prince Andrei Bolkonsky (James Norton), and the spirited Natasha Rostov (Lily James).
War & Peace intriguingly brings to light the brutality of both war and the warmth of domestic life. Through Tom Harper‘s expansive yet intimate direction, the 2016 series is elevated by beautiful cinematography, strong performances across the board, a lush soundtrack, and its valued ability to make a classic work accessible and intriguing to modern audiences. The romance, of course, is central to the series, as it brings together several love stories to keep viewers interested.
6
‘Scenes from a Marriage’ (2021)
Created by Hagai Levi
This meditation on love, loss, and the process of letting go, created by Hagai Levi, provides a fresh take on the original 1973 Swedish movie. Starring the talented Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac in the lead roles, the miniseries follows a couple navigating life as their seemingly stable marriage slowly unravels. What begins as a portrait of contentment and mutual respect soon turns into a touching depiction of relationship decay, revealing both partners struggling with unmet needs, infidelity, and the societal expectations of marriage.
Scenes From a Marriage is a memorable watch in many ways, starting with its beautiful direction, style, and cinematography, in addition to the believable central performances. For those intrigued by romance media that propels audiences to reflect on their own relationships and the process of both loving and letting go, the 2021 miniseries is certainly the right pick.
5
‘The Thorn Birds’ (1983)
Created by Lee Stanley
This landmark romance miniseries weaves together forbidden love, ambition, and family drama across decades and continents. Based on Colleen McCoulliugh‘s novel, the story follows the only daughter of a struggling Irish family (played by Rachel Ward) who relocates from New Zealand to the vast Australian sheep station. She ultimately forms a lifelong bond with a charismatic Catholic priest (the late Richard Chamberlain) torn between spiritual ambition and human desire.
The Fleabag Season 2 before Fleabag Season 2, Thorn Birds does not shy away from tackling and handling taboo subjects, illustrating an unusual connection and the allure of unattainable love. It stands as a meditation on the costs of love and the burdens of faith, with an enduring legacy that captivates audiences worldwide and elevates the romance genre with a perfect mix of melodrama, historical sweep, and an emotionally engaging story.
The Thorn Birds
- Release Date
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1983 – 1982
- Network
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ABC
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Barbara Stanwyck
Mary Carson
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Chard Hayward
Arne Swenson
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Archbishop Vittorio Contini-Verchese
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Ken Howard
Rainer Hartheim
4
‘North and South’ (2004)
Created by Sandy Welch
Created for television by Sandy Welch, North and South is a four-part BBC miniseries adapted from Elizabeth Gaskell‘s iconic classic Victorian novel. At its center is Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe), a compassionate young woman from southern England whose life is upended when her father moves the family to the industrial northern town of Milton. She ends up meeting John Thornton (Richard Armitage), a self-made cotton mill owner, with whom she becomes entangled despite their initial clashes.
Not only does North and South deliver an intriguing, sweeping historical love story, but it also delves into class and social change by exploring the divide between the genteel South and the industrial North. Featuring intimate and atmospheric direction and beautiful visuals that reflect the characters’ journeys, this period drama essential gathers everything it needs to offer a love tale that is as much about self-growth as it is about societal change.
North and South
- Release Date
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November 14, 2004
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Daniela Denby-Ashe
Margaret Hale
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Sinéad Cusack
Hannah Thornton
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3
‘One Day’ (2024)
Created by Nicole Taylor
This Netflix miniseries follows Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall), who, after a chance meeting on their graduation night in 1988, develop a connection revisited every July 15th for the next two decades. Each episode checks in on a single day, allowing audiences to witness the evolution of their growing relationship as each of them navigates love, friendship, and adulthood.
For those who love slice-of-life contemporary romances, One Day may very well be worth checking. The series’ main concept explores how a single day can reverberate across years, emphasizing the enduring power of fate and timing, as well as the importance of the relationships that shape us. It’s impossible not to connect with these characters as you watch them grow and become different versions of themselves, and it’s even more difficult not to be swept up by their enduring relationship, which takes many forms before its ultimate ending. At its core, the Netflix series distinguished itself by refusing to romanticize love as easy and inevitable; instead, it offers a tender meditation on missed chances and the persistent nature of connection.
One Day
- Release Date
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2024 – 2023
- Directors
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Molly Manners
2
‘Normal People’ (2020)
Created by Lenny Abrahamson
For fans of the “will they, won’t they” dynamic, Normal People, based on the Sally Rooney contemporary romance novel, is definitely a must-see. Set in small-town Ireland and later at Trinity College Dublin, it follows the on-again, off-again relationship between the wealthy but isolated Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and the popular but emotionally reserved Connell (Paul Mescal). What starts as a secret teenage romance evolves into years of longing, miscommunication, and self-discovery.
Normal People explores intimacy in all its forms through a beautiful and raw lens; while a love story at its core, it is also a beautiful study in how people struggle to express their needs. It’s a grounded series that offers a true portrayal of complicated romantic dynamics, never shying away from depicting the messiness of mental health and the ache of growing up and apart.
1
‘Pride and Prejudice’ (1995)
Created by Andrew Davies
The blueprint for all romance television series, this six-episode BBC show, adapted by Andrew Davies from Jane Austen‘s 1813 novel, stars Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as the iconic Mr. Darcy. Often celebrated for its wit and faithfulness to the source material, the series brings to life the Bennet family as they navigate the pressures of marriage, class, and reputation in Regency England.
Much like the title suggests, Pride and Prejudice‘s enduring appeal lies in its sharp exploration of its core themes. Add to that the wonderful chemistry between Ehle and Firth, which has frequently been deemed legendary throughout the years, and it’s not difficult to understand why this lush and immersive series continues to captivate audiences 30 years later. While the 2005 movie is the fan-favorite of many (especially Gen Z enthusiasts), the miniseries is a solid pick for those who value adaptations that stay true to their origins.