You probably haven’t heard of The Buccaneers. And that’s kind of the point.
With a cast of mostly newcomers and no big names to headline it, this Apple TV+ series has quietly slipped under the radar. But after watching it ourselves, we can confidently say: this show is the chaotic Regency-core, Taylor Swift-scored lovechild of every wildly successful streaming hit in the past five years.
What Makes The Buccaneers Different from Other Period Dramas
From the very first episode, The Buccaneers feels like someone put My Lady Jane and Bridgerton in a blender and then cranked the volume up on the drama, scandal, and petticoats. One line early on—“Every story should be a love story. The rest are tragedies.”—is basically Eloise Bridgerton’s thesis statement if she spent a semester abroad in New York.
But The Buccaneers isn’t just borrowing vibes from other period dramas. It’s building them into something fresh.
The Perfect Storm: ‘The Buccaneers’ is the perfect combination
Here’s what this Apple TV+ period drama is a perfect cocktail of:
- Bridgerton – The scandal and romance
- Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – Royal intrigue
- Downton Abbey – Class dynamics
- The Crown (especially that Princess Diana-coded Season 4 energy)
- The Summer I Turned Pretty – Love triangles galore
- My Lady Jane – Modern sensibilities in period setting
These shows all have one thing in common: they dominated streaming platforms. Whether it was the finish rates or binge stats, they’ve all worn the streaming crown. The Buccaneers might just be the next in line.
Taylor Swift’s Music Elevates The Buccaneers’ Storytelling
Taylor Swift fans, this one’s for you. From “Nothing New” in Episode 1 to instrumental versions of “You Belong With Me”, “Snow on the Beach”, “Wildest Dreams”, and “Invisible String”, the show weaves her discography into the story like it’s part of the dialogue.
Honestly, the show might be the closest we’ll get to a Red (Taylor’s Version): The Miniseries. The Taylor Swift soundtrack doesn’t feel forced—it enhances the emotional beats in ways that traditional period drama scoring might miss.
Shows Similar to The Buccaneers: Your Next Binge Watch
If You Liked The Buccaneers, You Might Also Like:
Period Dramas with Modern Twists
- My Lady Jane – for a modern twist and “enemies to lovers” tropes that actually hit
- Bridgerton – for will-they-won’t-they and oops, I married the wrong person drama
Romance-Heavy Series
- Outlander – for couples who cross oceans (and centuries)
- The Summer I Turned Pretty – for the Gen Z-fueled Taylor Swift triangle nostalgia
- Pride & Prejudice – for rainy field confrontations and aggressively tender handholding
Palace Intrigue
- The Empress – for powerful women, palace gossip, and heartbreak
- The Crown – for royalty, tradition, and a slow-burn period drama
What Makes ‘The Buccaneers’ a Must-Watch
The Buccaneers has everything: corsets, chemistry, class tension, and more rain-drenched yearning than should be legally allowed in one season. And let’s be honest…if your period drama doesn’t feature at least one slow-motion gaze in the middle of a field, is it even trying?
This Apple TV+ series deserves a spot on your watchlist, especially if you’re looking for period dramas that don’t take themselves too seriously while still delivering the emotional gut punches we crave.
