My younger brother claims he hates shows featuring “women in period dress.” Such shows are especially dull, he says, if they’re inspired by the works of a novelist, like Jane Austen. However, weeks into quarantine, my brother has joined my family in streaming many historical dramas (including one about Jane Austen’s unfinished novel, Sanditon). And the thing is, despite his jovial and witty complaints, he stays in the living room each time we hit play - suggesting that he might actually enjoy these shows more than he would like to admit.
And while I may be abnormally fascinated by period dramas, I’ve found that such shows offer much-needed escapism, right now. After all, I can’t travel to the English countryside or the coast of Greece. I haven’t left my neighborhood or ridden in a car in a month. And I have no idea when my life will return to anything resembling normalcy. However, there are many great shows streaming right now. And for just a few hours at a time, I find myself transported somewhere virus-free. Although, there are, admittedly, many women in period dress.
#4 The Durrells in Corfu: Season Four
I absolutely LOVE this series. Based upon naturalist Gerry Durrell’s three autobiographical books, the show follows the lives of a British mother and her four endearingly bizarre children, as they make a new home for themselves on the Greek island of Corfu.
However, while the show is filled with many picturesque scenes of picnics and drives along the Greek coast, Season Four is not as light-hearted as viewers might expect. As the fourth and final season culminates, the residents of Corfu are keenly aware that World War II is brewing. And the Durrell family finds themselves once more torn between two countries: their native Britain, and the surreal Greek island that they have learned to call home. And despite the presence of the show’s characteristic witty humor, season four is also a powerful narrative of a family impacted by events much larger than themselves. The narrative is thus made even more powerful by the fact that it is true.
And yet, to depict the show as “wholly dark” would be misleading. After all, Margo decides to become a beauty specialist and awkwardly shares much more personal information than her family would like to hear. Leslie still loves guns, and Larry is as self-important and dramatic as ever. Meanwhile, Gerry builds a zoo, while viewers wonder whether Mrs. Durrell will ever end up with Spiros. And despite the looming war on the Continent, the island itself remains as beautiful as ever. Otherwise stated, the show provides ideal escapism - made no less so, by the fact that the characters themselves are happily engaging in their own form of escape.
And for those who still want to know more about the family, PBS recently released a Masterpiece Special about What The Durrells Did Next.
#3 Vienna Blood
While Vienna Blood does not take place on the coast of Greece, its filming is similarly beautiful. The show follows the lives of a young doctor and a detective, as they work together to solve police cases in early 1900’s Vienna. Inspired by Frank Tallis’ Liebermann novels, Doctor Max Liebermann is an early follower of Sigmund Freud - and he controversially encourages Detective Rheinhardt to solve crimes by analyzing the psychology of his suspects. In this way, Doctor Liebermann attempts to revolutionize the fields of criminology and psychology.
From investigating bizarrely “artistic” serial killings, to exposing the violent traditions of a local military academy, Doctor Liebermann and Detective Rheinhardt travel across Vienna. And in so doing, they encounter everyone from mental health patients to pompous military leaders. Meanwhile, the show powerfully indicts the growing antisemitism of pre-World War Austria.
#2 Sanditon
Andrew Davies used Jane Austen’s unfinished manuscript, Sanditon, to bring this drama to viewers. And while Austen provided approximately 24,000 words of the novel, she only supplied the plot of the first episode. After that, the plot becomes Davies’ own. And this is very important, because this series is not typical Jane Austen. To avoid any spoilers, I will merely write that the series does not end in a very “Austen-like” manner - and this provides ample material for a potential (and currently unconfirmed) second season. However, while the series finale is uncharacteristic of Austen, I found the show no less interesting.
When the story commences, Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) finds herself unexpectedly spending the summer in the seaside town of Sanditon. And Charlotte is so likable, intelligent, and tough, that I couldn’t help myself from becoming attached to her story. Despite being a new acquaintance of the Parker family, Charlotte quickly becomes an integral part of their household. She has a rocky relationship, and eventual romance, with the younger Parker brother, Sidney (Theo James). And she quickly befriends a wealthy young woman who arrives - against her will - from Antigua. Meanwhile, the Parker brothers strive to expand the town, corrupt relatives plot to secure the inheritance of the ailing Lady Denham, and the town leaders attempt to taste a pineapple for the first time.
And while the show is composed of eight episodes, it was hard not to finish the series in one sitting. From a kidnapping to a boat race, the plot was continuously surprising. And more than that, the script is written intelligently - and I found myself wishing that we talked as eloquently in present-day society as the characters did.
However, while I loved this series, I purposely chose not to rank it first on this list - for the sole reason that I found the ending infuriating. This, of course, does not mean that the ending was “bad.” It just means that the series did not end as I wanted, and that I’m still holding out for a second season to “correct the record.” As strange as it might sound, viewers should pause the season finale when Sidney gets off of his horse (at the very, very end of the show). I wish Davies would have cut the story here; it would have been better to leave viewers in suspense, than to end the narrative as it did. However, the fact that I feel so strongly about the series finale is a testament to the success of the show. Sanditon is well worth the watch.
#1 The English Game: A Netflix Original Series
Developed by Julian Fellowes (the creator of Downton Abbey), The English Game depicts the dramatic origins of football in England. However, the show is much more than a sports show; it is a highly-intelligent window into the class conflicts, experienced in 1870s England. From riots to a factory strike, the show closely follows the lives of working-class football players - who are tasked both with feeding their families and with democratizing the game of football.
When the show commences, the pompous Old Etonians football players demand that the sport remain for “gentleman” only. Meanwhile, the working class residents of Darwen fight for an opportunity to play the sport - and they hope to make history by winning the FA cup. However, the story is not quite as one-sided as it might first appear. Arthur Kinnaird (Edward Holcroft) is the captain of the Old Etonians team, but he is much more democratic and kind than his teammates. And with the help of his wife, Arthur slowly begins to change - ultimately becoming a strong voice, in support of allowing professionals to play the game.
The show is therefore a very happy one. The protagonists are extraordinarily likable - and it’s easy to become attached to the plot. And it’s worth noting that I’m not even remotely a “sports person.” The story is just that good.
And Next on My Watchlist… Belgravia
Belgravia was just recently released on Amazon. And the drama (once again written by Julian Fellowes) is at the top of my watchlist.
Click here, for thumbnail image source.
