The BBC's The Other Bennet Sister has captivated audiences, drawing 7.3 million UK viewers in its first four weeks. As fans await a three-part Christmas special, many are turning to other period dramas to fill the void. A 2007 film adaptation of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, starring Felicity Jones and JJ Feild, has emerged as a top recommendation.
A Faithful and Charming Adaptation
Northanger Abbey follows young Catherine Morland (Jones), who travels to Bath with family friends and captures the hearts of Henry Tilney (Feild) and John Thorpe (William Beck). Invited to stay at Northanger Abbey, Catherine's imagination runs wild as she confuses reality with Gothic romance. The film is praised for its wit, satire, and faithful rendition of Austen's novel.
One viewer on IMDb called it a "classic," while another described it as a "must-watch," adding: "The 2007 adaptation of Northanger Abbey is a delightful and faithful rendition of Jane Austen's novel. Felicity Jones shines as Catherine Morland, perfectly capturing her innocence and imagination, while JJ Feild makes a dashing and charismatic Henry Tilney."
Masterful Adaptation by Andrew Davies
Another enthusiast hailed the film as "masterful," noting: "This is a really lovely TV/film version of this book, and of course... the script is by master adapter Andrew Davies. He is just magnificent. ENJOY this masterful adaptation!"
The film is available to purchase on Prime Video for £1.89, making it an affordable option for fans. A Reddit user recommended it as a comparable watch to The Other Bennet Sister, stating: "Surprised Jane Austen adaptations have barely been recommended, unless those are too obvious. The Other Bennet Sister is not only a spin-off of Pride and Prejudice with many familiar characters, but in many ways it takes inspiration from other existing Austen novels."
Calls for New Adaptations
One fan took to Reddit to express a desire for a fresh adaptation of Northanger Abbey following the success of The Other Bennet Sister: "@BBC thank you for adapting this rather than another round of endless adaptations of Austen's books that already have so many amazing adaptations! @Netflix take notes! Fans don't want you to ruin Austen's work with crummy adaptations. Let's adapt other beautiful stories instead!"
As period drama enthusiasts seek their next fix, Northanger Abbey stands as a charming and affordable option that captures the essence of Austen's work.
