The BBC period drama Gentleman Jack, which aired from 2019, has been declared 'just about perfect' by viewers. The show, set in Yorkshire, tells the true story of Anne Lister, a 19th-century industrialist often described as the 'first modern lesbian'. It was created by Sally Wainwright, known for Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax, and stars Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle.
Filmed largely at Shibden Hall near Halifax, the Grade II listed Tudor manor house built in 1420, the production used Lister's actual home as a key location. Suranne Jones, who plays Lister, said: 'It still blows my mind when I say that we filmed at Shibden. When I'm walking in Anne Lister's footsteps, I am literally walking into her house, up her stairs, eating in her dining room.'
Despite being cancelled after two series, Gentleman Jack remains available to stream on BBC iPlayer. One IMDb user gave it a 9/10 rating, calling it 'just about perfect' and praising the characters, dialogue, story, costumes, music, and scenery. Another reviewer awarded it 10/10, describing it as 'lush in the setting, historically appropriate... glorious attention to detail'.
Shibden Hall is now a museum open to the public, set within Shibden Park which offers a boating lake, woodland walks, a children's play area, and a miniature railway. Visitors can explore the history of Lister and those who lived and worked there.
