The 2009 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma is winning praise from fans who say the four-episode series stays faithful to the 1815 novel.
Written by Sandy Welch, who also adapted Jane Eyre and North & South for the BBC, the drama stars Romola Garai as Emma Woodhouse and Jonny Lee Miller as Mr Knightley. Michael Gambon plays Emma's father, Mr Woodhouse, with Louise Dylan as Harriet Smith.
Fans Praise Faithful Storytelling
One reviewer on IMDb wrote: "Finally, an Emma that will stand the test of time." They added: "What we have here is something that is entirely on Austen's wavelength, with characters behaving as her characters would and saying the sorts of things her characters say."
Another fan commented: "Brilliant! Everything from the acting to the costumes, storyline, and music was just so superbly done. This version of Emma far surpasses its predecessors. Romola, the actress staring as Emma, puts Paltrow to shame."
Visual and Musical Appeal
Viewers have also highlighted the production's aesthetic quality. One wrote: "Emma was really beautiful to watch. Though I will say, and I am not trying to be a killjoy here, the book is better." They added: "The mini series was exquisitely photographed, with camera work that never felt rushed in any way."
Initial Ratings and Streaming Availability
When it first aired in 2009, the opening episode drew a warm reception, but viewership declined with each weekly instalment. Some BBC executives attributed the drop to a scheduling clash with The X Factor on ITV1.
The 2009 adaptation of Emma is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and to rent on Amazon Prime.
