Fans have been raving about a BBC period drama set in the North East of England, with some declaring it superior to beloved series such as Downton Abbey and Bridgerton.
The Paradise, which aired on BBC One in 2012 and returned for a second series in 2013, is adapted from Émile Zola's 1883 novel Au Bonheur des Dames. The story is transferred to the North East and centres on England's first department store in the 1870s, following the lives, romances and ambitions of those who worked there.
Filmed on location at Lambton Castle in County Durham, the series stars Joanna Vanderham as Denise Lovett, a young woman from Scotland who catches the eye of store proprietor John Moray, played by Emun Elliott. The cast also includes Sarah Lancashire, Peter Wight and Matthew McNulty.
All 16 episodes of The Paradise are now available to stream free on U (formerly UKTV). Fans have taken to social media and IMDb to express their admiration, with one reviewer calling it a 'flawless masterpiece' and another stating it is 'better than all of them' in reference to Downton Abbey, Bridgerton and The Gilded Age.
A third viewer described the show as 'one of the most underrated shows' that compels binge-watching, while another praised its 'stunning costumes and scenery' and 'outstanding performances'.
