Jane Austen period drama to watch after The Other Bennet Sister now on BBC
The Other Bennet Sister has been a huge hit and fans are already searching for similar Jane Austen period dramas to watch next
The series was more sexual than previous adaptations(Image: BBC)
There’s palpable enthusiasm amongst period drama fans following the conclusion of The Other Bennet Sister as they search for their next binge-worthy series.
Since its debut earlier this year, The Other Bennet Sister has captivated audiences, leaving Jane Austen devotees hunting for comparable content. However, with countless adaptations available, determining where to begin can prove overwhelming.
First broadcast in 2008, the BBC miniseries Sense and Sensibility offers an ideal starting point – it’s thoroughly engaging, reportedly faithful to the source material, and brimming with all the romantic tension that aficionados crave.
The adaptation draws from the 1811 novel of the identical title and was crafted with ambitions to eclipse the 1995 cinematic version while delivering something unique.
Screenwriter Andrew Davies deliberately rendered the series “more overtly sexual”, incorporating intimate sequences that were just suggested in Austen’s prose but never explicitly depicted on screen previously, reports Wales Online.
The series first aired in 2008(Image: BBC)
These daring decisions resonated with audiences upon its 2008 launch and continue to captivate viewers presently.
The ensemble features Mamma Mia’s Dominic Cooper as John Willoughby, while Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield portray siblings Elinor and Marianne Dashwood.
The narrative focuses on the Dashwood sisters, who discover themselves deprived of their inheritance and compelled to relocate to a modest cottage in Devonshire following their father’s death.
In their altered circumstances, both women seek romance, though their diminished financial standing and social status present considerable barriers.
Elinor becomes entangled in a complex relationship with Edward Ferrars, while Marianne tumbles into a passionate yet catastrophic involvement with John Willoughby, an unsuitable and reckless suitor.
This three-part adaptation sets itself apart from previous vrsions by devoting substantially greater attention to the female protagonists’ sexuality, desire and emotional depth.
Its first broadcast saw millions of viewers tune in(Image: PA)
The 1995 film starring Emma Thompson, while less explicit in these themes, remains the more widely recognised adaptation of the two.
A Rotten Tomatoes reviewer said: “I’ve never read Jane Austen’s novel of the same name, but this was an excellent romantic drama.
“Having read “Pride and Prejudice” and having thoroughly enjoyed the BBC version of that title, this version of “Sense and Sensibility” certainly captures the wit, humour, and spirit of Austen.”
Another fan of the series added: “By far the most accurate and best adaptation. The casting is brilliant.”
Meanwhile on IMDB, one viewer described the programme as “beautiful to look at and well-acted” while saying it occasionally felt “rushed at times”.
Another fan added that, having experienced both the novel and the film adaptation, the series was “so beautifully played” by the entire cast.
Sense and Sensibility is streaming on BBC iPlayer now.