Fans of BBC's Call the Midwife or Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman can watch Bramwell, a forgotten ITV costume drama now available to rent on Prime Video. The show first aired in 1995 and ran for four seasons until 1999, set in 1895 during the Victorian era.
The series follows female physician Dr Eleanor Bramwell, played by Jemma Redgrave, as she works in a London hospital. Dr Bramwell battles workplace misogyny, often considered inferior to her male counterparts, and her opinion is frequently ignored. After a disagreement with a senior colleague, she is dismissed, and her father offers her a position in private practice caring for elderly patients.
Dr Bramwell's New Hospital
She declines his offer after family friend Lady Cora Peters, played by Michele Dotrice, asks her to set up a small hospital called The Thrift to care for impoverished patients. The hospital's name comes from its location on Thrift Street. It quickly expands its staff to include the stern Nurse Ethel Car, played by Ruth Sheen, and former patient and foot amputee Daniel Bentley, played by Cliff Parisi, as a porter.
Dr Bramwell also brings on board her former colleague, Dr Joe Marsham, played by Kevin McMonagle, to work as an anaesthetist. He does this for free in exchange for being able to perform surgery to enhance his skills. Season one follows the highs and lows at The Thrift, spotlighting social issues of the time, such as racism, alcoholism and workhouse conditions.
Cast and Reception
Over its run, Bramwell shows constant attempts to keep The Thrift running as well as caring for patients, mixed with some of Dr Bramwell's romantic entanglements that cause issues for her. The show also starred Keeley Gainey, Motherland's David Calder, the late Robert Hardy of All Creatures Great and Small and Harry Potter fame, Ben Brazier, Andrew Connolly, Deadwater Fell's Maureen Beattie, and David Bark-Jones.
Many have praised the costume drama on IMDb, where it currently holds a 7.8/10 rating. Several viewers shared their thoughts on Bramwell, with a similar theme about avoiding the fourth and final season. One person declared in their 9/10 review: “Awesome three seasons, skip the fourth.”
The audience member explained: “This is an exceedingly hard series to rate because the first three seasons are so terrific and the fourth is unaccountably bad.” While a second gave the show 10/10 and hailed it as a “very compelling show”, going on to say: “Really enjoyed this series particullarly from a historical point of view [sic].”
Another top-rated review declared lead Redgrave “amazing” and explained: “Taught period piece focusing on one of the first female doctors and professional woman in late Victorian times. Stellar cast with each episode centering around a theme: betrayal; loss; love; trust; class snobbery; and medical backwardness.” They concluded: “Well written and atmospheric bringing you into a very gritty part of London.” Yet another person stated that the first two seasons were “exceptional” in their 8/10 review and featured some “excellent” stories.
Bramwell is available to rent on Prime Video now.
