Television series
The Musketeers
The BBC's swashbuckling take on Dumas' musketeers trades melodrama for genuine character work and found-family warmth. It's action-first but character-led, balancing sword fights with real stakes and emotional stakes. For anyone who wants adventure that lands harder because you actually care about the people having it.
If you liked this
Arrow2012
A grim origin story that grows into genuine ensemble work. Like Musketeers, it finds heart in the loyalty between its core four and the tension between duty and personal morality.
But Starts very dark and takes a while to find its warmth. The early seasons are weightier than Musketeers' more buoyant tone.
Peaky Blinders2013
Ruthless men bound by family loyalty navigating a lawless world. Both shows understand that real stakes come from caring about damaged people, not just watching them be clever.
But Far grittier and more brutal. Where Musketeers finds joy in adventure, Peaky Blinders finds it in harder places.
Black Sails2014
A crew of misfits learning to trust each other while fighting for something beyond themselves. Same swashbuckling energy and genuine affection between characters, but on water and with actual stakes.
But Takes two seasons to build momentum. Earlier episodes feel scattered before the show finds its rhythm.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from The Musketeers
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
His Girl Friday1940
Both understand that loyalty and banter are the real weapons. Watching people who know each other perfectly work together is the actual spectacle.
Screwball comedy where the chemistry and dialogue crackle like swordplay. Two clever people sparring, conspiring, protecting each other—it's adventure in conversation instead of action sequences.
But 1940s film stock and dialogue rhythms demand patience. It's cerebral where Musketeers is visceral.
More like this (8)
The Witcher2019
Character-driven fantasy adventure that prioritizes the relationships between its central trio over plot convenience. Finds surprising depth in monster-fighting spectacle.
But The timeline jumps are confusing at first. It demands more attention than Musketeers' straightforward charm.
Vikings2013
Warriors bound by oath and brotherhood, navigating honour, betrayal, and loyalty across seasons. Matches Musketeers' commitment to making you invested in its characters' fates.
But Gets increasingly grim and eventually feels scattered. The later seasons lose the tight focus of the early ones.
The Great2020
Irreverent, darkly funny period drama that treats 18th-century politics like a heist—conspiracies, loyalty tests, and absurdity. Proves swashbuckling doesn't need to be serious.
But Very adult humour and explicit content. The tone is jarringly anarchic compared to Musketeers' adventure-first approach.
Galavant2015
A deliberately silly musical adventure about a knight and his oddball crew. Shares Musketeers' commitment to finding genuine heart in ridiculous situations.
But Only two seasons and it was cancelled. The musical format is deeply committed—if you don't love that, you're lost.
Bridgerton2020
Period ensemble drama where side characters matter as much as leads, and loyalty within the group drives the narrative. Genuinely enjoyable without demanding you care about romance.
But Romance is still the engine. If you want action-first storytelling, this spends too much time on feelings.
The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself2022
Young warriors learning to trust and protect each other against impossible odds. Genuine camaraderie and stakes, though smaller in scale than Musketeers.
But Shorter-lived and lower-budget. It feels amateur in places where Musketeers glides confidently.
Vinland Saga2019
Both follow young warriors learning that loyalty matters more than vengeance. The transformation from soldier to something human is the story, not the battles.
Anime about Vikings learning to move beyond revenge into brotherhood and purpose. Phenomenal character writing, incredible art, and a found family that grows earned and true over time.
But It's anime—completely different visual language. The first arc is about brutal violence before it becomes something warmer.
The Sopranos1999
Both centre on a crew bound by oath and code. Where Musketeers asks 'what makes us stick together?', Sopranos asks 'why does it fall apart?' Same question, opposite season.
The template for ensemble drama: complicated men trying to be loyal to each other while everything fractures. It proves that real stakes come from genuine relationships you're afraid to lose.
But Slow, introspective, about failure. It's the opposite of Musketeers' optimistic adventure—sometimes unbearably bleak.
People
Cast
Writing
- Adrian HodgesCreator
Production
- Carmel MaloneyCo-Producer
- Adrian HodgesExecutive Producer
- Jessica PopeExecutive Producer
- Simon AllenExecutive Producer