Sexually Charged Dancing Scenes in Period Dramas, Ranked

Kelly Anne Doran
Nov 1 · 2 min read

5. Downton Abbey: Years of unfulfilled Matthew/Mary longing finally coming together!!!! Terrible dialogue but what can you do!!! Dan Stevens!!! Matthew’s dick works again now!!! Don’t think about the fact that they’re cousins, I SAID DON’T THINK ABOUT IT!!!

4. When Harry Met Sally: I’m sorry I couldn’t find a video of this but do you know the scene I’m talking about? Not the end at the New Year’s party but at the earlier New Year’s party where they’re dancing cheek to cheek and we know what’s gonna happen but they don’t know yet and there’s some very extended eye contact??? The sexiest that Billy Crystal has ever been???? Spot on Nora Ephron dialogue??? The eighties/nineties does so count as a period, fight me!!!!

3. Titanic: Kate having the time of her life with the working classes!!! A time when Leo was still hot and dated people his own age!!! Floppy hair!!! Suspenders!!! We’re gonna have to get a little bit closer??? OKAY

2. Crimson Peak: CANDLE WALTZING!!! SWOOSHY DRESS!!! 19TH CENTURY GOTHS!!! ONLOOKERS DISAPPROVE OF THIS PARTICULAR MATCH!!! WHY, HE IS A BARONET!!! HE PICKED HER IN PARTICULAR!!!! AND WITH THOSE EXPOSED SHOULDERS AND EVERYTHING!!! THE PART WHEN SHE BLOWS OUT THE CANDLE AT THE END!!! I’m beside myself.

1. Pride and Prejudice: You didn’t think I’d forget did you? The one, the only, the pinnacle of sexually charged dancing??? Keira Knightley looking like she wants to both murder Matthew MacFadyen and also furiously make out with him??? A Postcard to Henry Purcell???? That cut where suddenly they’re the only ones in the room??? The UNWAVERING EYE CONTACT!!! Iconic, groundbreaking, profoundly horny, I don’t think I need to say more.

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