Summary

• Despite being a highly acclaimed writer, Julian Fellowes has written some period dramas that fail to live up to his high standard.
• Titanic and The Chaperone are examples of Fellowes' works that lack distinction and fail to engage the audience emotionally.
• The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey are among Fellowes' best works, with intriguing characters and thought-provoking storytelling.

Julian Fellowes is one of the world's premiere writers of period pieces, which makes it worthwhile to rank his historical drama movies and TV shows from worst to best. Fellowes emerged in the world of film when he wrote the script for Gosford Park in 2001, and he has gone on since then to pen a number of high quality series and movies, including The Gilded Age and Downton Abbey. He is a thoroughly decorated writer, and notably, he has won two Emmys and an Academy Award in his career.

Though he is a talented and highly acclaimed writer, not all of Fellowes' scripts or ideas can become hits. It's not an overstatement to say he has written some of the best historical dramas ever, but Fellowes' is not infallible, and not all of his movies and TV shows can live up to the extremely high bar he has set for himself. With that in mind, Fellowes' 10 career period pieces can be ranked according to their overall enjoyability and quality.

10 Titanic (2012)

Written by Julian Fellowes

Titanic is a miniseries written by Julian Fellowes to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the infamous ship's demise. The show follows people from all walks of life, documenting the various experiences of the diverse crew and engers. Unfortunately for Titanic, it happens to share a title with the iconic James Cameron film, casting an impossibly large shadow over the series. Further, the show fails to distinguish itself in the long line of documentaries and movies that cover the real Titanic tragedy.

9 The Chaperone (2018)

Written by Julian Fellowes

The Chaperone is a 2012 film about a middle-aged woman who travels to New York City with a teenage girl seeking to study dance in the Big Apple. While The Chaperone boasts a strong cast, it's one of Fellowes' least entertaining scripts. The film struggles to forge an emotional connection with the audience, making it difficult for viewers to feel immersed in the story. It's not terribly exciting either, and it lacks the depth to connect with audiences on a different level, which is why it's impossible to rank The Chaperone any higher.

8 Vanity Fair (2004)

Written by Julian Fellowes

Vanity Fair is a 2004 historical drama based on the 1848 novel of the same name by William Makepeace Thackeray. The story follows Becky Sharp, the orphaned daughter of an unsuccessful painter, as she seeks to build a life for herself in 19th century Britain. Vanity Fair is a solid movie with a loaded cast, but it has been criticized for taking the sting out of Thackeray's novel by making Becky more likable. Overall, the film is still compelling, but it's closer to a fairy tale than it is to the razor-sharp satire it's based on.

7 Doctor Thorne (2016)

Written by Julian Fellowes

Doctor Thorne is a four-part TV drama based on Anthony Trollope's 1858 novel of the same name. The story follows Mary Thorne, a penniless young woman being raised by her uncle, Doctor Thorne. Fellowes' outstanding script takes this series a long way by crafting believable characters that skillfully grab the audience's attention. The performances are excellent as well, and there is a powerful emotional weight to much of the show. Unfortunately, the four-part structure doesn't allow for enough time to properly complete the story, which prevents Doctor Thorne from ranking higher.

6 The English Game (2020)

Created and written by Julian Fellowes

The English Game is a six-part miniseries that follows the creation of modern English football. This engaging miniseries is full of intriguing characters, and it's a must-watch for football/soccer fans interested in the origins of the game. The show does take a few creative liberties according to the history books, but it provides a generally accurate of the events and people involved, making the series both informative and entertaining. The story can be a bit disted at times, however, which is why it doesn't rank any higher.

5 Belgravia (2020)

Created and written by Julian Fellowes

Belgravia is a historical drama series created by Julian Fellowes based on his 2016 novel of the same name. The story follows a wealthy family in 19th-century London who seek to keep a mysterious secret related to a formal ball twenty years earlier. Belgravia has an incredibly intriguing narrative and a strong, steady pace that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The story is original as well, though the structure of the series does feel a bit derivative of other historical dramas. If Belgravia took a slightly more creative approach to its storytelling, it would likely breach the top three.

4 The Young Victoria (2009)

Written by Julian Fellowes

The Young Victoria is a 2009 historical drama film that follows the early life of Queen Victoria and her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. This film is anchored by its strong cast, impressively elaborate sets, and gorgeous costume design. The Young Victoria also does well to make Victoria a layered character with legitimate growth over the course of the film. Unfortunately, The Young Victoria can be a bit slow at times, and it does little to capture the attention of those not previously interested in the topic.

3 The Gilded Age (2022)

Created and written by Julian Fellowes

The Gilded Age is a 2022 HBO original series that follows a 19th-century woman's attempts to integrate herself into the rigid society of New York City's elite. The old money versus new money dynamic anchors a series that examines the struggles of a range of different social classes in 19th-century America. This thought-provoking show is doubtless one of Fellowes' best, using an ensemble of fascinating characters to tell a sprawling tale of ambition and injustice. It may not be worthy of the top spot in Fellowes' filmography, but it's certainly worth watching.

2 Downton Abbey (2010)

Created and co-written by Julian Fellowes

Downton Abbey is a 2010 TV series that follows the Crawleys, an aristocratic family in early 20th-century England, and their domestic servants. The show has received critical and popular acclaim since its release, and its widespread popularity led to the production of two sequel films, Downton Abbey and Downton Abbey: A New Era. This show is so saturated with unique and complex characters that it never struggles for a thread to follow. Everyone from the footmen to Lord Grantham himself has a part to play in this incredible story, which has much more to offer than simple diversion.

1 Gosford Park (2001)

Written by Julian Fellowes

Gosford Park is a 2001 satirical drama about a party at an English country house that goes sideways when a murder is committed on the grounds. The film was nominated for an incredible seven Academy Awards, proving how highly rated it is by critics. Gosford Park's success is largely thanks to Fellowes' incredible script, which is loaded with biting dialogue and intriguing mysteries. It also has a star-studded cast and a fantastic director in Robert Altman. This delightful blend of comedy, drama, intrigue, and suspense is an all-time great movie, and it's easily the best movie or TV show.

Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb