Any show that boasts Anna Maxwell Martin and Matthew Rhys among its cast is enough to reel me in. But mix that with a gripping mystery plot set in the 1800s, and I am putty in your hands. So, following the addition of Death Comes to Pemberley on Amazon Prime Video, this period drama could be your perfect weekend binge.
What Is Death Comes to Pemberley About?
Based on P.D. James' bestselling novel, the series acts as a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, picking up six years after Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy finally got their happy ending. Line of Duty star Anna stars as Elizabeth Darcy alongside The Beast in Me's Matthew as Darcy, while Jenna Coleman and Matthew Goode also feature in a star-studded cast. The three-part thriller takes one of literature's most famous stories and throws it into the middle of a murder investigation. On the eve of a grand ball, the Darcy family are plunged into a murder scandal that unfolds in the woods surrounding the estate.
Critical Reception and Fan Reactions
Originally airing in 2013, the BBC drama won praise for its blend of a murder whodunnit with a classic Austen romance. Writing on Reddit, one user called Reddit said: 'I love Death Comes to Pemberley and have rewatched it several times. I think that Matthew Rhys in particular is a really underrated Darcy; I actually love him in the role and think he does a great job of balancing a bit of the Darcy haughtiness while still showing growth and the soft side we know he has.'
However, not every fan was convinced by the series' interpretation of Austen's iconic characters. Writing on Reddit, @Istara wrote: 'I always feel so betrayed by how horrible colonel Fitzwilliam is!! He is one of my favorite Austen side characters in the book.' Nota also added: 'The bit where Elizabeth saves Wickham was totally ridiculous and ruined the rest for me. The scenery was lovely though.'
Other Period Dramas to Watch
This comes after viewers were left in floods of tears by another BBC period drama that has been dubbed a 'masterpiece'. Life After Life boasts a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score following its release in 2022. The likes of Thomasin McKenzie, Lily James, Paul Dano, James Norton, and Jim Broadbent star in the four-part series. Adapted from the 2013 novel of the same name by Kate Atkinson, the John Crowley-directed programme follows the story of Ursula Todd (McKenzie), who has an infinite number of chances to live her life.
Death Comes to Pemberley is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
