This Drama With 76% On RT That Was Wrongly Canceled Is Perfect To Watch While Waiting For Downton Abbey 3

Summary The Paradise should have had another season due to its untimely cancelation by BBC One after just two seasons.

The show's unique mix of business, romance, and costume design sets it apart in the period piece genre.

Watching The Paradise now could inspire a new appreciation for period dramas, especially those focused on costume design narratives.

The Paradise from BBC One deserves another season after being wrongfully canceled, but it is the perfect show to watch while waiting for Downton Abbey 3. Some of the best BBC dramas follow stories from British history. Although made by a different network, Downton Abbey follows the same formula, and The Paradise could have been its natural successor if it had been on the air longer. Now that the series is streaming on Peacock and Amazon Prime, the underrated series could find success nine years after it was last broadcast.

There are several British period dramas to watch while waiting for Downton Abbey 3's release. Some examples include the likes of Bridgerton and The Decameron. All these add new and refreshing aspects to the period piece genre and can be excellent to watch or even re-watch while waiting for Downton Abbey 3. However, given Downton Abbey 3's release date is September 12th, 2025, there is more than enough time to watch several of these series. This makes now the perfect time to watch The Paradise​​​​​​.

Related 20 Best Period Piece Movies Of All Time Period piece movies have always been a raging success in cinema, often celebrated for their astounding historical stories and engaging characters.

What The Paradise Is & Why It's Perfect For Downton Abbey Fans

Another Excellent Period Drama

Close

The Paradise is a period drama that tells the fictional story of England’s first department store. The narrative mainly follows Denise Lovett (Joanna Vanderham), a talented businesswoman who knows significant out-of-the-box sales tactics. She gets a job at The Paradise's ladies’ wear department, using her ideas to enhance the store's success while she scandalously falls in love with the store’s owner, John Moray (Emun Elliot). These subplots make every episode refreshing and enticing to watch. The show includes various feminist sub-themes, perfectly complimenting its main storyline.

Another British period piece that exhibits the working class is Upstairs, Downstairs (1971-75, 2010). This series is streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi.

While waiting for the release of Downton Abbey's final movie, The Paradise is the perfect show to watch. Both have an immersive essence that makes it easy to be transported into earlier times of England. The fact that both depict the working class in England in a humanizing light further connects the two. The shows' timelines also have a neat symmetry, since The Paradise takes place in the Victorian Era, whereas Downton Abbey takes place in the early 20th century.

Why Was The Paradise Canceled After Two Seasons

There Were Some Unfortunate Reasons

Unfortunately for The Paradise, the show was canceled by BBC One after only two seasons. The network needed to make room for more period dramas coming through, which meant The Paradise had to be canceled to make these plans work (via TV Series Finale). The show was never picked up by another network or streaming service, leaving The Paradise’s story unfinished. Even with the newer series that BBC One was trying to release, the show had earned the right to continue.

Despite the show's untimely end, The Paradise was a nominee for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition.

Why The Paradise Season 3 Should Happen

Its Cancelation Was Undeserved

The Paradise should have a third season because period dramas, especially ones focused on costume design, are perennially popular. Although Bridgerton’s storyline does not revolve around costumes, one of the most notable aspects of the series is its use of costume design to tell the narrative. The Paradise utilizing this same technique in a business setting could help a third season succeed. This slight difference will help the show uphold its individuality as a period piece and still follow the trend of costume narratives.

Denise and John’s romance can be wrapped up, and the store's success can be revealed.

Additionally, a third season of The Paradise can finish off all the second season’s cliffhangers. Denise and John’s romance can be wrapped up, and the store's success can be revealed. The series aired nine years ago, so a time jump will be necessary to tell the story. However, multiple television shows have proven over the years that such an approach can work, and The Paradise could be no different.

Now that the highly anticipated Downton Abbey 3 is a year away from theatrical release, there is plenty of time to watch The Paradise. The series deserves new appreciation so that it may open up the potential for a third season. Watching the BBC One series may also prompt viewers to find a new appreciation for period dramas, especially those that heavily involve costumes to tell the story. As such The Paradise is the perfect vehicle to discover all the narrative styles the genre has to offer.

Source: TV Series Finale