‘Terrifically watchable’ period drama perfect for Bridgerton fans on Netflix now
Offering a breath of fresh air in comparison to the usual seriousness of period dramas, this series has been described as both ‘dark’ and ‘amusing’, with a script sure to make you laugh
If you’ve gotten to the end of Bridgerton and you’re left looking to fill that period drama hole in your life, this series is the perfect place to start – and you don’t even have to leave the streaming platform.
Netflix subscribers have shared their praise for this dark comedy series set in 14th-century Italy. Although what many don’t know is that its amusing story derives from a book of 100 stories written by an Italian writer, dating back to that very same era.
The Decameron is a mini-series drawing inspiration from the tale of the same name, which takes place during the catastrophic Black Death pandemic. Its story centres on a wealthy family as they do all they can to attempt to survive the outbreak, and it is all dealt with in heaps of humour.
It is rated as a 15, as The Decameron boldly embraces sexual content, explicit language, violence, and gruesome details in its darkly comedic storytelling. These elements are what help it stand out from the crowd and earn itself plenty of five-star ratings.
One viewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: “A strange and amusing limited series. Characters that once seemed irredeemable are likeable, if not lovable by the final episode. Absurd and enjoyable, the series manages to stay light while investigating the dark underbelly of humanity.”
Another shared their feelings towards the show in comparison to the original text. They wrote: “While the show is loosely based on a 700 year old book, I found The Decameron fresh and engaging.
“The plot and characters felt like it was faithful to the 1300s without being stodgy. The characters are absolutely absurd, but that is part of their charm.”
Viewers are taken on a journey, beginning in 1348 in a fictionalised version of events, as the Black Death takes hold of Florence. In response, a group of nobles and their servants hide out in a countryside villa in Tuscany, waiting out more outbreaks with their luxuries and lavish lifestyle.
It’s not long before the disease spreads to the quiet hills and they are left with no choice but to fight for their survival.
Playing these characters are Tanya Reynolds from Sex Education, alongside Zosia Mamet, best known for her role in Girls. Joining them on screen is also Lou Gala, Leila Farzard, Jessica Plummer and Amar Chadha-Patel.
The cast have received plenty of praise amongst reviews, with one claiming that they gave “enjoyable performances”. Their review reads: “A period historical series that throws all the comedy and romance tropes out of the window is escalated by the enjoyable performances of a diverse cast untangled from any political narrative.
“This series is proof that even a story with unpredictable direction and story arcs makes for a hilariously entertaining one.”
Others simply noted that it was “well acted”, while one person said that the script and actors had them “laughing out loud” throughout.
The period drama covers a lot of ground in its brief eight episodes and was unfortunately never picked up for a second series after its release in 2024, making it the ideal binge-watch.
The Decameron is available now to stream on Netflix, ready to fill that period drama void in your life.
SOURCE: WALESONLINE