Jamestown

The early 17th Century story of three courageous, dynamic women who leave their dark pasts behind in England, and make the journey of a lifetime across the ocean for a new life in America.

Jamestown (2017-2019) is a British period drama series created by Bill Gallagher for Sky One, a three-season run of twenty-four episodes. Its core is an ensemble led by Alice Kett (Sophie Rundle), Verity Bridges (Niamh Walsh) and Jocelyn Woodbryg (Naomi Battrick), three women who leave troubled pasts in England behind and cross the Atlantic seeking a fresh life in the struggling colony of Jamestown. Supporting principals include Samuel Castell (Gwilym Lee), Silas Sharrow (Stuart Martin) and Sir George Yeardley (Jason Flemyng), whose rival ambitions and shifting alliances shape daily survival. The engine of the show is the push and pull between personal reinvention and the brutal realities of a fragile settlement, where hunger, disease, hostile neighbors and factional power struggles test every promise. Each season follows one continuing story rather than standalone cases, unfolding across a small colonial community with an emphasis on hard choices and grim circumstances. Set in the early seventeenth century in colonial Virginia, the series carries a gritty, unromanticized tone, with an atmosphere of danger, moral compromise and quiet resilience. Viewers drawn to the historical grit of The Last Kingdom or the frontier romance and survival of Outlander will find similar pleasures here. The season ratings diverge sharply, which shapes how the series is remembered.

Audiences found the first season a strong, lively start to the story of women leaving England for colonial Virginia, while later seasons were rated markedly lower and seen as losing focus.

• The Last Kingdomshared period drama tone, 17th century colonial setting, female-led ensemble survival
• Outlandershared costume drama form and grim historical frontier atmosphere
• The Frontiershared early American settlement setting and hardship-driven frontier drama

Created by

Bill Gallagher

Release Date

2017-05-05

Episode runtime

45 min

Rating

6.9 / 10 (81)

What is Jamestown about?

Three women leave dark pasts in 17th century England and risk everything on a dangerous voyage to start over in the early American colony of Jamestown.

What is Jamestown like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Jamestown as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is Jamestown violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Jamestown as moderate.

What did critics think of Jamestown?

Audiences found the first season a strong, lively start to the story of women leaving England for colonial Virginia, while later seasons were rated markedly lower and seen as losing focus.

Which shows are like Jamestown?

Shows with a similar feel include The Last Kingdom, Outlander, and The Frontier.

How long is Jamestown?

Jamestown: 3 seasons, 24 episodes.

Is Jamestown still running?

No, Jamestown has ended.

Where can I watch Jamestown?

In United States, Jamestown streams on PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.