Some dramas entertain. Others quietly get under your skin. 🖤 This critically praised period drama, inspired by a shocking true story, isn’t built around jump scares or nonstop action. Instead, it slowly pulls you into a world where every decision feels dangerous—and by the time the truth begins to unfold, you’ll find yourself questioning everything you thought you knew.

‘Excellent’ period drama based on true story perfect for Handmaid’s Tale fans

This “excellent” Netflix true crime period drama “messes with your brain”.

View 3 Images

This true crime period drama “messes with your brain”. (Image: NETFLIX)

Netflix fans have become “completely hooked” by a period drama that’s been hailed as “excellent”.

The six-part Netflix series transports subscribers to 19th-century Canada, unfolding across two distinct timelines: the first set in 1843 during a notorious double murder.

The second occurs 16 years later, when a psychiatrist attempts to determine whether one of the convicted murderers deserves a pardon on grounds of insanity.

Alias Grace centres on the killings of Scottish gentleman farmer Thomas Kinnear and his pregnant housekeeper Nancy Montgomery in Canada.

Housemaid Grace Marks and stablehand James McDermott were found guilty of the crimes, with McDermott executed and Grace’s sentence commuted to life imprisonment, though both continued to accuse each other of the murders.

View 3 Images

Alias Grace stars True Blood icon Anna Paquin(Image: NETFLIX)

The 2017 CBC and Netflix period drama is not only based on true events but also adapted from Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood’s 1996 novel of the same title.

“An outstanding series, so well told and brilliantly acted”, praised one fan on IMDb.

Another described it as a “perfect balance of beauty and horror”, while a third called it “excellent” and “not to be missed”.

A fellow user, dubbing it a “killer show”, added: “The way the story messes with your brain is sooo good.

“It’s not even fast or dramatic in a typical way, but it just pulls you in slowly and suddenly you’re completely hooked.”

View 3 Images

Kingsman star Edward Holcroft plays psychiatrist Dr Simon Jordan.(Image: NETFLIX)

Wayward star Sarah Gadon portrays Grace Marks, while Kingsman actor Edward Holcroft plays her psychiatrist Dr Simon Jordan.

CB Strike’s Kerr Logan features as James McDermott, with Due South star Paul Gross and True Blood’s Anna Paquin appearing as victims Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery.

Discussing the novel upon which Alias Grace is based with Virago, Atwood explained: “The book itself is ‘pieced’ like a quilt – with contrasting views – every faction at the time had their version of Grace. Demon or innocent? Even – tall or short?

“But in the gaps in the story – the places where evidence was not there or had gone missing – I felt free to invent.”

Alias Grace is available to stream on Netflix.