Best 2020s Period Dramas on Hulu Like Mrs. America

If you loved Mrs. America’s sharp blend of 1970s politics, complex women, and meticulous period detail, the top pick for your next watch is Mad Men (available on Hulu). It shares the same DNA: a slow-burn, character-driven examination of a transformative American era, with stunning costumes, nuanced performances, and a critical eye on gender and power. While it starts in 1960 rather than the 1970s, its thematic resonance and production quality make it the most satisfying follow-up.

What to Look For

When choosing a period drama in the spirit of Mrs. America, focus on these criteria:

• Historical accuracy vs. dramatic license: Does the show prioritize authentic details (costumes, sets, language) while using fictionalized or composite characters to tell a larger truth? Mrs. America is praised for its accuracy, so look for similar care.
• Character depth over plot twists: The best period dramas are driven by complex, morally ambiguous characters, not just “what happens next.” Seek shows that explore internal conflicts and shifting alliances.
• Cultural and political resonance: The show should engage with the era’s social movements—feminism, civil rights, economic shifts—rather than just using the past as a pretty backdrop.
• Production values: Costume design, set decoration, and cinematography that transport you without feeling like a museum exhibit. Look for shows that use period detail to enhance storytelling, not distract from it.
• Pacing and tone: Mrs. America is dense and dialogue-heavy. If you enjoyed that, you’ll want a show that rewards attention and doesn’t rely on action sequences.

Top Picks on Hulu

Mad Men (2007-2015)

Strengths: The most direct thematic heir to Mrs. America. Created by Matthew Weiner, it follows advertising executives on Madison Avenue from 1960 to 1970, covering the sexual revolution, civil rights, and the rise of counterculture. The performances, especially Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss, are career-defining. The costume and set design are legendary.

Trade-offs: It’s a long commitment (7 seasons, 92 episodes). The pacing is deliberately slow, and the first season takes time to find its footing. Some viewers find the main character, Don Draper, increasingly difficult to sympathize with.

Who it’s for: Fans of Mrs. America who want a deeper dive into the same era’s gender dynamics and professional power struggles, with a similarly sharp script.

The Great (2020-2023)

Strengths: A darkly comedic, anachronistic take on Catherine the Great’s rise to power in 18th-century Russia. It’s visually sumptuous, with bold costumes and sets, and features a ferociously witty performance from Elle Fanning. The show deliberately plays fast and loose with history to explore themes of idealism, marriage, and women’s agency.

Trade-offs: If you require strict historical accuracy, this will frustrate you. The tone is more absurdist and theatrical than Mrs. America’s realism. It’s also more violent and sexually explicit.

Who it’s for: Viewers who enjoy the political maneuvering and strong female lead of Mrs. America but want a darker, more stylized, and often funnier take on power.

Fargo (2014-present)

Strengths: Each season is a standalone period piece set in a different decade of the 20th century (1950s, 1970s, 2000s, 2010s). Season 2 (set in 1979) is especially relevant, featuring a strong female lead (Kirsten Dunst) and a small-town crime story that intersects with larger political and corporate forces. The writing is sharp, and the period details are impeccable.

Trade-offs: It’s an anthology, so if you want a continuous story, this isn’t it. The tone is often darkly comedic and violent, more so than Mrs. America. Some seasons are stronger than others.

Who it’s for: Those who appreciate the 1970s setting and the way Mrs. America weaves personal stories into larger political shifts, but who also enjoy a crime thriller element.

The Looming Tower (2018)

Strengths: A gripping, journalistic drama about the events leading up to 9/11, based on Lawrence Wright’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book. It covers the late 1990s and early 2000s, but its focus on institutional failure, bureaucratic infighting, and the clash between the FBI and CIA mirrors the political maneuvering in Mrs. America. The performances are excellent, especially Jeff Daniels and Tahar Rahim.

Trade-offs: It’s a heavy, tense watch with little comic relief. The subject matter is tragic, and the show doesn’t offer easy answers. It’s a limited series (10 episodes), so it’s a shorter commitment.

Who it’s for: Viewers who liked the political strategy and the focus on real historical figures in Mrs. America, and who are interested in recent American history.

Pachinko (2022-present)

Strengths: A sweeping, multi-generational saga based on Min Jin Lee’s novel, following a Korean family in Japan from the 1910s through the 1980s. It’s visually stunning, with gorgeous cinematography and costumes. The story is deeply emotional and explores themes of identity, resilience, and family, with a powerful performance from Youn Yuh-jung.

Trade-offs: It’s not a political drama in the same vein as Mrs. America; it’s more of a personal, family epic. The timeline jumps between past and present, which some viewers find confusing at first. It’s also subtitled (Korean and Japanese), which may be a barrier for some.

Who it’s for: Those who appreciate the meticulous period detail and strong character work of Mrs. America but want a more intimate, emotional story that spans decades and cultures.

Normal People (2020)

Strengths: A beautifully observed love story set in contemporary Ireland (2010s), but it feels like a period piece in its focus on emotional repression and social class. Based on Sally Rooney’s novel, it follows Marianne and Connell from school to university, capturing the nuances of intimacy and power. The acting and direction are superb.

Trade-offs: It’s not a historical drama at all. If you specifically want costumes and period settings, this won’t satisfy that. It’s also very melancholic and intimate, with a limited scope.

Who it’s for: Viewers who loved the complex female protagonist and the psychological depth of Mrs. America but are open to a contemporary setting with the same emotional intensity.

How to Choose

Budget: All the shows above are included with a standard Hulu subscription, so there’s no extra cost. However, some may be available on other platforms if you don’t have Hulu. Consider whether you want a long-running series (Mad Men) or a limited series (The Looming Tower) depending on your time commitment.

Use Case: If you want a direct continuation of Mrs. America’s themes and era, choose Mad Men. If you want something visually bold and darkly funny, pick The Great. If you prefer a crime narrative with period flavor, go with Fargo Season 2. If you want a serious political thriller, choose The Looming Tower. For an emotional family saga, pick Pachinko.

Common Trade-offs: The biggest trade-off is historical accuracy vs. creative license. Mad Men and The Looming Tower are more grounded; The Great is openly anachronistic. Also, consider tone: Mrs. America is relatively restrained, while The Great and Fargo are more violent or absurdist. If you want a female-led narrative, all of these except The Looming Tower have strong female leads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Mrs. America still on Hulu?
A: Yes, as of now it is available to stream on Hulu.

Q: Are there any other 1970s-set dramas on Hulu?
A: Yes, Fargo Season 2 is set in 1979, and Mad Men ends in 1970. Also, The Deuce (set in the 1970s) is on Max, not Hulu, but worth seeking out.

Q: Is Mad Men historically accurate?
A: It’s highly accurate in terms of costume, set design, and cultural touchstones, though it takes some liberties with specific events and characters for dramatic effect.

Q: I loved the political strategy in Mrs. America. What else is like that?
A: The Looming Tower is a great choice, as is Borgen (a Danish political drama, though not a period piece) and House of Cards (though less grounded).

Q: Are any of these shows suitable for someone who doesn’t like subtitles?
A: Mad Men, Fargo, and The Looming Tower are in English. Pachinko has subtitles, and The Great is in English (with a British accent).

Q: Which show has the strongest female characters?
A: Mad Men (Peggy, Joan, Betty) and Pachinko (Sunja) are excellent. The Great is essentially a one-woman show.

Bottom Line

For the closest match to Mrs. America’s blend of historical depth, political intrigue, and complex women, start with Mad Men. It’s a masterclass in period drama. If you want something shorter or more offbeat, The Great offers a brilliant, anachronistic twist, and Fargo Season 2 delivers a gripping 1970s crime story. Whichever you choose, you’ll find rich characters and a vividly realized past.

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