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Over the past decade, period dramas have become an OTT staple that we simply cannot resist. Beyond their opulent sets and strong visual storytelling, it is the sheer magnificence of the tailored costumes that truly mesmerise us. Each gown, glove and corset, worn with effortless panache, brings history to life with breathtaking grandeur.

Among the latest in the list of these opulent shows is The Gilded Age , which recently aired its third season. Over 1,200 women’s dresses, 1,000 men’s suits, 750 women’s hats, 400 men’s hats, 100 tiaras, and 4,000 pairs of shoes were crafted across the first two seasons of the show. The production even employed a dedicated researcher who compiled a library of nearly 36,000 images spanning 1877 to 1900.

It is this attention to detail that weaves the on-screen magic, while also offering a glimpse into the staggering production costs behind such spectacles. Today, streaming platforms are locked in a fierce battle to attract viewers and subscriptions. In the process, budgets for shows, especially period dramas, have skyrocketed.

Period dramas with heavy production costs
The Gilded Age The Gilded Age Season 2 poured nearly $14.16 million (approx. ₹117 crore) into the local economy across just 22 shooting days. However, it was the costumes that truly defined the show’s extravagance, with over $10 million (approx. ₹85–95 crore) spent on the wardrobe budget alone.

The Crown
Considered to be one of Netflix’s most expensive series, the historical drama about Queen Elizabeth II’s reign spent approximately $130 million (₹1,132 crore) on its first season. Subsequent seasons saw increased budgets, with season five reaching $143.3 million (₹1,248 crore). While the exact total for all six seasons is debated, it’s estimated to be around $504 million (₹4,388 crore). The show replicated some historical outfits, including the Queen‘s wedding gown, coronation gown and robe.

House of the Dragon Produced on a massive budget of around $200 million (₹1,668 crore) for its first season, averaging nearly $20 million (₹166 crore) per episode. A total of 5,000 costumes were created for Season 1 alone.
Bridgerton
This Regency-era drama’s production cost (for all three seasons) is said to be $168 million (approx. ₹14,112 crore), with each episode estimated at $7–8.4 million (₹58–70 crore). Much of the budget went into its extravagant costumes and sets. The show’s costume designer created 1,800 dresses, 7,500 pieces of costumes and spent $80,000 (₹70 lakh) for the first season alone.

Game of Thrones
One of television’s most lavish productions, the overall production cost for all eight seasons is estimated to be around $1.5 billion (approx. ₹1,26,000 crore). The budget increased significantly over its run, with the final season costing an average of $15 million (₹125 crore) per episode.

Downton Abbey
Set in the early 20th century, this series cost around $1.5 million per episode (approx. ₹12.5 crore) across six seasons, making it one of the most expensive British TV series of its time. Much of this budget was directed toward authentic period costumes, many of which were handmade or hired from specialist collections.

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar
Touted as the most expensive Indian original series to date, it had an estimated production budget of ₹200 crore. The show’s scale is evident in its opulence and elaborate costumes.

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