Crimson petal and the white (2011) although I believe it’s lacking in the brothel setting for most of the series
Also Rome(HBO) , the brothels are not the focus but there are some aspects of it.
The book the Crimson Petal and the White is based on is amazing too, I believe there are more brothel scenes in that compared to the miniseries. Definitely worth your time if you're in for a long read!
As an amateur historian who is especially into the 19th century, it’s one of the more accurate books. Despite the fact that it’s also written with a post modern flair.
*Warrior* is a great show on HBO. It's set in San Francisco in the 1870s, largely in Chinatown. One of the main characters is the madame of a brothel there.
some more movies - Dangerous Beauty, Homme Fatale (korean historical comedy), and maybe Stage Beauty (they're not really prostitutes but actors with "protectors")
Oooh, I second Dangerous Beauty. Love that movie. C'mon, how can you beat a sword-fighting duel mixed with a battle of wits between the clever courtesan and her nemesis?
[Harlots](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5761478/) is a great show about the life of a madame, played by Samantha Morton, who owns a brothel and tries to attract higher end clients. The acting is great, the costumes as well, lots of intrigue and scheming, and everything takes place in 18th century London, with a deal of attention paid to historical.acxuracy.
A courtesan with flowered skin (film);
House of the flying daggers;
Hwang jin yi (there is a film and a tv show but I only watched the tv show);
Moulin rouge;
Sakuran(film)
tv shows:
Dangerous Liaisons (cancelled after 1 season tho)
Outlander (doesn’t entirely fit the prostitute plot but does have a strong female lead who is viper tongued, lots of sex/sexual violence etc)
movies:
The Scandalous Lady W 2015 (sorta)
Okay this one is a bit different than what you asked for but Raise the Red Lantern is a movie that has a lot of the themes you're interested in. It's set in China in the 1920s and is about a young woman who becomes the fourth concubine to a wealthy man. It's got all the good female drama you'd expect from a situation like this. It's also beautifully filmed. It's available on YouTube.
Tipping the Velvet
I have Madame Claude on my Netflix to watch list, which sounds like it fits the brief?
Am sure some Catherine Cookson tv adaptations have brothel scenes. The Rag Nymph definitely does.
Moll Flanders, tv series with Alex Kingston.
Bridgerton
City of Vice with Ian Glen
*Midnight at the Pera Palace* (2022), a Turkish period drama on Netflix, features quite a few scenes that take place in a 1910's brothel run by Madam Eleni. Season 2, which is set to film sometime this year in 2023, will likely feature Madam Eleni and her brothel as a setting more frequently.
The two main characters, Esra and Peride, are also >!strongly implied to be the twin daughters of one of Madam Eleni's girls and an unknown father!<.
*Call the Midwife* (2012), a British period drama that initially takes place in the 1950's, also features at least one episode that focuses on the plight of a prostitute who gets pregnant.
Black Sails is mostly pirates, but there's quite a bit in whore houses as well, with some great characters therein
Oh, heard a lot about it. Thanks, added.
Deadwood
This. Hands down my favorite period drama.
Hell on wheels - set on the camp of the continental railroad construction, one of the main characters works in the brothel
Crimson petal and the white (2011) although I believe it’s lacking in the brothel setting for most of the series Also Rome(HBO) , the brothels are not the focus but there are some aspects of it.
The book the Crimson Petal and the White is based on is amazing too, I believe there are more brothel scenes in that compared to the miniseries. Definitely worth your time if you're in for a long read!
I’ve got it in my bookshelf, I must pick it up!
It looks intimidating, but once you start it you can't stop! Really captivating writing!
As an amateur historian who is especially into the 19th century, it’s one of the more accurate books. Despite the fact that it’s also written with a post modern flair.
Rome was amazing! Still don't get why it ended. There was a lot more to tell...
I heard they threw all their money into GOT and abandoned Rome. Although I love GOT, we were robbed!
https://www.looper.com/821360/the-untold-truth-of-hbos-rome/
If it helps, *Rome*'s sets were re-used in the live-action adaptation of *Thermae Romae*.
No way? I’ve just searched up Thermae Romae cause I’m not familiar with it. Will give it a watch thanks :)
You're welcome!
If it helps, *Rome*'s sets were re-used in the live-action adaptation of *Thermae Romae*.
Maison close (TV Series 2010‑2013)
Thanks. Looks very interesting.
Ripper Street features a madam.
Great. Jack the Ripper is always a bonus.
Came here to say this! It’s so good!
A Harlot’s Progress (2006)
Moll Flanders
Les Combattantes/Women at War on Netflix. Audrey Fleurot is, as always, a compelling lead.
*Belle* by Lesley Pearce and *Out of the Easy* by Ruta Sepetys - both set in New Orleans
*Warrior* is a great show on HBO. It's set in San Francisco in the 1870s, largely in Chinatown. One of the main characters is the madame of a brothel there.
some more movies - Dangerous Beauty, Homme Fatale (korean historical comedy), and maybe Stage Beauty (they're not really prostitutes but actors with "protectors")
Oooh, I second Dangerous Beauty. Love that movie. C'mon, how can you beat a sword-fighting duel mixed with a battle of wits between the clever courtesan and her nemesis?
[Harlots](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5761478/) is a great show about the life of a madame, played by Samantha Morton, who owns a brothel and tries to attract higher end clients. The acting is great, the costumes as well, lots of intrigue and scheming, and everything takes place in 18th century London, with a deal of attention paid to historical.acxuracy.
A courtesan with flowered skin (film); House of the flying daggers; Hwang jin yi (there is a film and a tv show but I only watched the tv show); Moulin rouge; Sakuran(film)
tv shows: Dangerous Liaisons (cancelled after 1 season tho) Outlander (doesn’t entirely fit the prostitute plot but does have a strong female lead who is viper tongued, lots of sex/sexual violence etc) movies: The Scandalous Lady W 2015 (sorta)
> The Scandalous Lady W 2015 Very underrated period drama.
i love Natalie Dormer so much
Pretty Baby
Streets of Shame (Akasen Chitai). The Life of Oharu.
House of Tolerance (2011) Parisian brothel during the dawn of the 20th century. Great costumes and set design!
Came here to suggest this one! I remember watching it years ago and was obsessed with the costumes and imagery.
love this niche in period dramas, immediately bookmarked
Same, this is the post I never realized I wanted.
The Devil’s Whore. One of my faves!
Okay this one is a bit different than what you asked for but Raise the Red Lantern is a movie that has a lot of the themes you're interested in. It's set in China in the 1920s and is about a young woman who becomes the fourth concubine to a wealthy man. It's got all the good female drama you'd expect from a situation like this. It's also beautifully filmed. It's available on YouTube.
Gangubai Kathiawadi
Madam K (if you don't mind subtitles)
Deadwood
Maison Close
Taboo.
Movie: From Hell (jack the ripper story line)
Tipping the Velvet I have Madame Claude on my Netflix to watch list, which sounds like it fits the brief? Am sure some Catherine Cookson tv adaptations have brothel scenes. The Rag Nymph definitely does. Moll Flanders, tv series with Alex Kingston. Bridgerton City of Vice with Ian Glen
*Midnight at the Pera Palace* (2022), a Turkish period drama on Netflix, features quite a few scenes that take place in a 1910's brothel run by Madam Eleni. Season 2, which is set to film sometime this year in 2023, will likely feature Madam Eleni and her brothel as a setting more frequently. The two main characters, Esra and Peride, are also >!strongly implied to be the twin daughters of one of Madam Eleni's girls and an unknown father!<. *Call the Midwife* (2012), a British period drama that initially takes place in the 1950's, also features at least one episode that focuses on the plight of a prostitute who gets pregnant.