A lot of people think that gothic series is just a different name for horror shows, but technically, that’s not exactly true. Although horror is a very big part of the genre, the atmosphere, the mystery, and the play between supernatural and natural phenomena can make a series gothic, even if they are not just plain “scary”.
With the recent success of shows that are moodier than what the audiences were used to until now, the gothic genre is here to make a stand and claim viewers that up until now were still exploring their preferences regarding horror, mystery, and period dramas. If the last few years were any indication, then fans of the genre can expect a lot to come from both their favorite directors and from new “voices” too.
7 Penny Dreadful
Penny Dreadful was a 2014 series that run for 3 seasons and 27 episodes. The name was inspired by the "penny dreadful", which were 19th-century British magazines that someone could buy for a penny and had stories in parts, usually horror. The TV series was really loved by the viewers, and everyone praised the amazing acting skills of Eva Green, who plays the mysterious Vanessa Ives.
Gothic horror fans will find themselves recognizing some beloved characters in the show, like Dr. Frankenstein and Dorian Grey. But they are not even the main "attraction". Vanessa Ives, a medium, Sir Malcom Murray, an explorer, and Ethan Chandler, a gunslinger, will join forces to fight the evil that lures in the dark streets of Victorian London.
6 The Essex Serpent
The Essex Serpent is a 2022 series that is based on the 2016 bestselling novel by the same name. It is perfect for fans of period dramas and especially for those that like to brush with the gothic side of things, as it has all the mystery and sensuality that are appropriate for the genre.
A widow who was abused by her late husband, moves to Essex. She is fascinated by the idea that there might be a mythical serpent lurking and develops a relationship with the pastor, who shares a lot of her skepticism and is fascinated by her ideas.
5 1899
This series plays with a lot of different genres, and somehow, they all work together perfectly and give to the viewer a sense of familiar uneasiness that also works as a suspense vehicle. The series premiered in 2022 and even though the fans would love to, it looks like season 2 is not going to happen. But still, if one is wondering how sci-fi, mystery, period drama, horror, and gothic can fit all together, then it is a must-watch.
Immigrants from different parts of the world travel together in a ship that’s going to take them to their new home. Each of them has their own reasons, but none of them is exactly innocent. Another ship of the same company that was considered lost for months is suddenly found, and the captain chooses to investigate. Let’s just say that wasn’t the best idea he ever had.
4 Freud
A series called by the last name of one of the most (if not the most) psychiatrists in the world, is bound to have a theme that involves human emotions. But Freud doesn't stop there. It goes way, way further. It is a gothic tale of the supernatural and the natural, blended so splendidly, that whoever watches it becomes an instant fan. It premiered in 2020 and run for 8 episodes.
While Freud is still a young physiatrist and fascinated with hypnotism, he stumbles upon a murder conspiracy that he wants to bring to light. But before that light, there is much darkness, and he will have to face both his own demons and the demons of a young lady who is in desperate need of his help.
3 Dracula
One could wonder what this new take on Dracula tells us that we don't already know. That one would have a point, but they would be wrong. The Dracula limited series offers the viewer not only a new and unexpected outtake on the classic vampire story but also a fantastic physiological profile of the infamous gothic villain. It aired in 2020 and had only 3 (but very enjoyable) episodes.
Starting with Dracula's origins in 1897 in Transylvania, the series explores not only the bloodthirstiness of the count, but also his vulnerabilities, his relationships, his passions, and... his reaction to an unexpected and foreign world.
2 The Cabinet Of Curiosities
This anthology series by Guillermo del Toro really showcases the incredible talent of the director to give flesh and bones (although sometimes it's just bones) to gothic horror stories. Each of the 8 episodes is by a different director, but they are all curated and introduced by Guillermo del Toro, and they are all certain to make the viewer check under their bed before going to sleep.
The 8 episodes are called: Lot 36, Graveyard Rats, The Autopsy, The Outside, Pickman's Model, Dreams In The Witch House, The Viewing, and The Murmering.
1 Almost Everything By Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan's name has been getting more and more attention over the past couple of years, and it is only fair, since he is already making cinema history with his adaptations of Stephen King books, and also TV history with his amazing (and absolutely terrifying) series. He has already gained a very devoted fandom that can't wait to see what he will come up with next - and if the rumors are true, then it is going to be epic.
Midnight Mass, The Haunting Of Hill House, The Haunting Of Bly Manor and The Midnight Club are some of his series that absolutely give a gothic vibe. Even though he puts modern characteristics, the feeling remains true and pure gothic: always at the edge of madness and the supernatural, gloomy, and with an unashamed splash of the reality of everyday life in non-everyday situations.