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Though HBO's The Gilded Age often chided for its low-stakes approach—as if we have nothing better to concern ourselves with than the trials and travails of the show's mostly ultra-rich cast of characters—there's an addictive quality to its particular blend of drama, period-specific sass, and opulent detail.

In that spirit, here are 11 more shows that shine a light on the past, and do so in grand style. Most stand as fine companion pieces to The Gilded Age, while others might be better thought of as alternatives, using their period drama trappings to very different effect.

Downton Abbey (2010 – 2015)

The Gilded Age creator Julian Fellowes is also behind this PBS favorite, and you won't convince me that Downton Abbey, which begins with th

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