Period drama perfect for Pride and Prejudice fans on BBC now
The acclaimed BBC period drama based a beloved novel, has been hailed by viewers as the “best adaptation of all time” — and the brilliant news is that it can be watched completely free on BBC iPlayer
The show stars British favourite Claire Foy in the lead(Image: BBC)
A period drama lauded as ‘terrific binge fare’ has captivated viewers across the nation, with the fantastic news being that it is available to watch entirely free on BBC iPlayer.
The 2008 British miniseries draws from a Charles Dickens novel and has been proclaimed the “best Dickens adaptation of all-time” by audiences.
Little Dorrit has attracted exceptional reviews since its debut on BBC One and BBC HD in 2008. Co-directed by Adam Smith, Dearbhla Walsh, and Diarmuid Lawrence, this absorbing period drama features a screenplay penned by Andrew Davies, adapted from Charles Dickens’ novel of the same name, which was originally published in serial form between 1855 and 1857.
Produced jointly by the BBC and WGBH Boston, Little Dorrit was broadcast across the Atlantic in five instalments as part of PBS’s prestigious Masterpiece series.
The show’s official synopsis reads: “The Dorrits are a family whose life revolves around the Marshalsea, a debtor’s prison. Amy Dorrit’s kind nature brings the family into contact with a wide swath of English society, from the poorest to the richest, and back again.”, reports the Express.
The brilliant period drama is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer(Image: BBC)
Critical recognition followed swiftly, with the series securing seven Emmy Awards, amongst them the prestigious Outstanding Miniseries accolade.
Featuring a remarkable Claire Foy in the lead role, the outstanding supporting cast comprises Matthew Macfadyen, Tom Courtenay, Judy Parfitt, Andy Serkis, Eddie Marsan, and Alun Armstrong.
During an interview with Channel 4 in 2011, Claire revealed how Little Dorrit would forever hold a special place in her heart: “Little Dorrit will always be so important to me – it was my first big job, it was a character I got to play for six months. So that and this [The Promise], for different reasons, have to come out on top.”
The captivating period drama was shot across various historic locations including Luton Hoo, Chenies Manor House, and Hellfire Caves in Buckinghamshire, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich and Deal Castle in Kent. Hampton Court Palace stood in for Marshalsea Prison during filming.
It boasts a smashing 100% rating(Image: BBC)
Achieving a remarkable 100% approval rating from both reviewers and viewers on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Little Dorrit stands as an unqualified success, though it remains a somewhat overlooked treasure amongst period dramas.
One reviewer said: “With a stellar cast and a fine adaptation, Little Dorrit is absorbing and entertaining.”
Another added: “Little Dorrit is the closest TV has to a sure thing: a relatively short-term investment with a satisfyingly large payoff.”
While a third described it as “one of the best dramas of the year”.
Viewers have proved equally captivated by the production, with one posting: “absolutely wonderful! beautiful scripts, enchanting acting and mesmirizing drama! the best of the Dickens!” [sic].
An IMDB user review said: “One of the very best Dickens adaptations, even British period novel adaptations, ever.
“I have seen many many adaptations of Dickens and other novels and period dramas. Little Dorrit is not one of Dickens’ most known novels, however, this as it turns out is one of the best adaptations of all time.”
Another added: “This is yet another outstanding Dickens-adaptation by the BBC. It makes you wonder how they do it: making everything fall so exactly in its place!”.
“The casting is perfect, settings and costumes are flawless, the direction is impressive and the editing gives it all a wonderful pace, helped by cutting it into short pieces of half an hour, so that you are kept on your toes all of the time, simply craving for the next episode.”
One viewer noted similarities between the production and Dickens’ original work, expressing complete satisfaction: “It is hard to watch Little Dorrit without a stupid grin on my face. I just think it is perfect. The characters are all just as you imagined when reading the novel. From The leads in Clare Foy and Matthew To the vast array of supporting characters. It is like the book has come to life itself. Ruth Jones is a stand out. Just brilliant.”
Little Dorrit is available to stream free on BBC iPlayer.