With The American Heiress in Production, Amazon Officially Finds Its Next Period Romance to Compete With Bridgerton and Outlander
A new attempt at romance
Amazon has had success with period television, including the multi-Emmy-winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Its earlier effort to rival Bridgerton, My Lady Jane, received critical praise but was canceled after one season because of disappointing viewership.
The company is now turning to The American Heiress, which Amazon MGM Studios said will begin production this month. The series is planned for MGM+, not Prime Video, and is billed as an eight-episode show.
A daughter’s romantic choices
Margulies plays Isabella Cash, a wealthy American who travels to England with her daughter Cora. Isabella hopes to arrange a marriage between Cora and a member of the British aristocracy.
Cora, however, is in love with Teddy, an American artist. After a hunting accident, she wakes at Lulworth Castle, the home of the 12th Duke of Wareham, setting up a new turn in her romantic future.
A different period drama
Goodwin, whose novel inspired the series, will serve as showrunner and executive producer. She previously created and wrote the television series Victoria for PBS and ITV, and later adapted it as a novel.
The story takes place in the Victorian era, unlike Bridgerton’s Regency setting, and centers on Cora rather than a different romance each season. Its humor and social comedy may give it a lighter edge, though the show is expected to be more grounded than Bridgerton’s lavish fantasy.
Key points
- The American Heiress begins production this month as an MGM+ series.
- Julianna Margulies stars as Isabella Cash, who hopes to arrange a match for Cora.
- Daisy Goodwin serves as showrunner and executive producer.
- The series’ ability to rival Bridgerton and Outlander remains to be seen.