Are you experiencing symptoms of Droughtlander? Signs may include: watching old Outlander episodes over and over, even though you’ve seen them a dozen times already; repeatedly whispering “Sassenach” under your breath in a Scottish brogue, much to your friends’ consternation; toting around one (or more) of author Diana Gabaldon’s books in your bag just to feel something.

Yes, the long wait for new episodes of the series — which stars Caitríona Balfe as English time-traveler Claire and Sam Heughan as her Highlander love, Jamie — can be downright maddening. But, thankfully, there’s some relief to be had. For starters, the first six seasons are streaming on Netflix. And if you’re thirsty for even more of the romance, adventure, and intrigue that Outlander provides, consider these nine shows a refreshing drink of water (or Scotch whisky — we won’t judge). Dive in and you’ll soon be saying, “What Droughtlander?!”

Crash Landing on You

A woman unwittingly tumbles into a land that is not her own. A handsome stranger discovers her and vows to keep her safe. The two, despite their differences, fall in love. Yes, that’s the beginning of Claire and Jamie’s story, but it’s also the start to Yoon Se-ri and Ri Jeong-hyeok’s in the swoon-worthy K-drama Crash Landing On You. A South Korean businesswoman and heiress, Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) embarks on a paragliding expedition that goes awry, dropping her on the other side of the demilitarized zone in North Korea. There, she is found by Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin), an army captain and piano prodigy who risks everything to help her get back home. Sixteen episodes full of international intrigue, risky romances, and family infighting will keep you rooting for these two to the very end. (Hey, at least they’re from the same century…) 

Crash Landing on You

16 Episodes   TV-14   2019

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The Law According to Lidia Poët

Throughout history, being a woman ahead of her time often came with grave consequences. In Claire’s case, that meant being tried (and nearly burned at the stake) for witchcraft. In the case of Lidia Poët, that meant running afoul of the Italian courts and being disbarred. Based on the true story of one of Italy’s first woman lawyers, The Law According to Lidia Poët follows the titular attorney (Matilda De Angelis) as she attempts to practice law in Turin, Italy, in the late 1800s. She finds herself disbarred after only three months (because sexism) and is forced to play assistant to her lawyer brother Enrico (Pier Luigi Pasino). But a strong, stubborn woman like Lidia is hardly going to cower in the shadows. Not when she’s after a little poetic justice.  

The Law According to Lidia Poët

3 Seasons   TV-MA   2023

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Call the Midwife

Whether as a World War II combat nurse, an 18th-century healer, or a doctor in the 1960s, Claire has always had a passion for helping others. A similar passion drives the nurse midwives and nuns of Nonnatus House in London’s East End, who not only deliver babies, but tend to the many ails and illnesses of the low-income Poplar district. The long-running Call the Midwife (seriously, there are 12 seasons streaming) will move and entertain you and also leave you with a newfound appreciation for the marvels of modern medicine. (Because no one wants to be on the wrong end of a glass rectal tube!)

Call the Midwife

14 Seasons   TV-MA   2012

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Bridgerton

Desirous of yet another achingly romantic (and frequently steamy) period drama set in Great Britain and based on a bestselling series of books? What an extremely specific request! But we’re happy to oblige. Bridgerton (an adaptation of Julia Quinn’s romance novels) follows the titular siblings of the ton — in Season 1, it’s eldest sister Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor); in Season 2, it’s eldest brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) — as they navigate societal expectations (and their own hearts’ desires) to find true love and happiness in Regency London. Of course, along the way, there’s plenty of scandal, gossip and intrigue to keep things interesting — Lady Whistledown wouldn’t have it any other way. Keep your eyes peeled (and scandal sheet pens at the ready) for Season 3, which puts the spotlight on Bridgerton pal Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and her longtime crush, Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).

Bridgerton

4 Seasons   TV-MA   2020

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The Crown

As a Scotsman, Jamie has always had a fraught relationship with the English. Before Outlander begins, he finds himself imprisoned after protecting his family’s Lallybroch estate against marauding soldiers. And as the series unfolds, he’s forced into an uneasy alliance with the crown as he accepts a land grant in North Carolina — and the loyalty that entails. Two hundred years later, the British monarchy continues to find itself in complex relationships with its subjects, as well as its own allies and operatives. Nowhere is that more apparent than in Peter Morgan’s The Crown, which charts Queen Elizabeth II’s ascendancy from princess to the longest-reigning monarch in British history — and all the political and familial drama that comes with it. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, indeed.

The Crown

6 Seasons   TV-MA   2016

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Secrets of Great British Castles

Speaking of royal strongholds, Outlander makes ample use of Scotland’s beautiful — and, at times, crumbling — castles and facades from centuries gone by to lend authenticity to the show. And if those architectural wonders have ignited an interest in storied buildings of yore, be sure to check out this two-season docuseries hosted by historian Dan Jones, which covers structures all across the United Kingdom. Scottish delights include Stirling Castle and the country’s crown jewel, Edinburgh Castle. (Fun fact: Did you know that Edinburgh Castle has a “one o’clock gun” that’s been fired every day — except Sundays, Good Friday, and Christmas — since 1861?) 

Secrets of Great British Castles

6 Episodes   TV-PG   2015

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Frontier

A slightly different view of 18th-century North America than the one seen outside the window of Claire and Jamie’s North Carolina homestead, Frontier — co-created by brothers Rob and Peter Blackie — centers on the ruthless, greed-fueled fur trade of Canada. The series stars Jason Momoa as outlaw trapper Declan Harper, whose aim is to bust the monopoly held by the corrupt Hudson Bay Company, but he’ll have to contend with powerful rival Lord Benton (Alun Armstrong) to do it. We recommend watching this one snuggled under a blanket with a steaming mug of hot cocoa because baby, it’s cold outside in Canada.

Frontier

3 Seasons   TV-MA   2016

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The Lost Pirate Kingdom

You can’t set sail across the high seas in the 1700s without running afoul of a pirate or two (a lesson Claire and Jamie learned the hard way). But there’s so much more to be discovered about these seafaring scallywags than peg legs and buried treasure. Narrated by actor Derek Jacobi, The Lost Pirate Kingdom — a cross between a docuseries and a historical drama — goes deep into the pirate’s tale, starting with the conclusion of the War of the Spanish Succession and charting all the highs and lows that follow, as swashbucklers come to blows over gold and goods in the Caribbean Sea.

The Lost Pirate Kingdom

Limited Series   TV-MA   2021

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The Empress

A hallmark of Outlander has always been sumptuous period dress — beautifully rendered by Emmy-winning costume designer Terry Dresbach during Seasons 1–4, with Trisha Biggar picking up the mantle beginning with Season 5. And if you’re looking to be awed by even more finely tailored corsets, exquisite collars and opulent fabrics, look no further than The Empress. Bavarian duchess Elisabeth von Wittelsbach (Devrim Lingnau) — also known as “Sisi” — falls in love with her sister’s betrothed (oops!), who just so happens to be Austrian emperor Franz Joseph (Philip Froissant). When the 16-year-old empress moves to Austria, she’s forced to contend with a scheming court — and, naturally, wear a lot of gorgeous outfits while doing so. Let’s all take a moment to bow down to Empress costume designer Gabrielle Reumer.

The Empress

2 Seasons   TV-MA   2022

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