What to watch after 'The Other Bennet Sister'....

[Linenspots]

I've been watching this over the last couple of weeks and am totally enamoured by it. I love the costumes, the period, the championing of the underdog and just the sweetness of escapism it brings from the real world, I guess.

I don't watch a great deal of TV, just a handful of shows that DH and I share an interest in. DH loves motorsport and motors, and I do a craft during my spare time, so it suits me just fine for him to watch his car porn, while I craft.

I have never watched anything of a similar genre to The Other Bennet Sister, so now I'm wondering, should I be watching Pride & Prejudice, Downton Abbey, Bridgerton etc? Have I been missing out all these years?

What else should I look up that is similar to this lovely programme?

I read the first Bridgerton novel and wasn’t impressed. Is the TV series better?

Persuasion from 1994 is the best thing that's ever been on TV, in my opinion.

I’d agree. The characters were just how I imagined them from the book

Well, inspired by this thread, I have given episode 1 and half of episode 2 a second chance this evening.

Bearing in mind that this time I came forewarned by my first attempts, I can say it is watchable. You just have to kind of change gear if you are expecting period drama - which it isn't really.

It's a script written with very modern sensibilities but produced with an approximation of period costume and a period setting. It is also more farce than anything, but with meatier moments along coming more often in episode 2 - perhaps like an awkward teen who tries to appear flippant out of nervousness on first meeting but improves when they get a bit less so. I do find the constant change of gear between farce, sex, serious drama slightly grating: it is all slightly clumsily tethered together. But it is watchable. And in fairness Lady Mary and the Turkish diplomat veered a little along these lines to grab attention at the outset of Downton Abbey, but then settled down to a much calmer ride through credible issues like changing social norms, the pressures on large estates and real historical events. I'm not expecting Bridgerton to get that grounded - but other posters may step in to correct this impression?

I agree with PP on Versaille, really gripping storyline and the quality of the acting was very good. I'm sad they aren't making any more.
Larkrise to Candleford and Middlemarch also spring to mind as an easy watch and a similar vein.

Mrs Maisel

Loved it.

I loved it too.

Cranford

I absolutely hated it and gave up after one or two episodes. I love period dramas but everything about Bridgerton seemed crass and grating.

A women of substance on channel 4 - absolutely brilliant

I couldn't get past the second episode of Bridgerton, I thought it was awful.
But the1995 Pride & Prejudice is perfection.
Both the Gwyneth Paltrow and most recent versions of Emma are worth a watch.
Downton Abbey is pretty good, but very soapy.
If you can find it, the 1981 Brideshead Revisited is probably the best period drama of all time - just amazing (tho not all sweetness and light!).

It really shouldn't be recommended as a period drama imo.

It's kind of it's own thing - like SATC.

I'm still a bit undecided.

If you have Audible, I thoroughly recommend listening to this:

Does the book go past the end of this series? I’m dying to know what happens to Mary next!

Bridgerton is brilliant, that’s all I have to say.

Personally, I think Bridgerton epitomises the worst of modern entertainment and is the McDonald’s of period drama, as bad for your mind as their fast food is for your body.

Each to their own though.

Totally agree

I’m not sure if it’s been mentioned but The Tudors is very good.

Not seen Bridgerton. No idea why.
I liked the scheming parts of The Gilded Age. Love Carrie Coon. Bored by junior Meryl and her romances.

P&P is the best period drama ever! But please be aware, it’s addictive….

Dds and I used to say that if we ever went on Mastermind our special subject would be Who Said What To Whom and When, on P&P!

Shortly after it was first screened, dh bought me the video (then) version and we all binge-watched it on Christmas Day night. I’m sure dh expected it to be soppy and not at all his sort of thing, so I’m sure he was pleasantly surprised by Austen’s often acid wit and the plot twists - at any rate he was very soon equally glued to it.

Me too.

I think a third Gilded Age is coming soon?

Three is out and four will be later this year or next year. Series three was the best by miles.

Tess of the D'Ubervilles the BBC miniseries from 2008 is excellent. Stars Hemma Arterton, think it kick started her career