A period drama inspired by Jane Austen is currently free to stream, offering ideal viewing for Pride and Prejudice enthusiasts. Death Comes to Pemberley is a three-part production adapted from P.D. James's bestselling 2011 novel of the same title, which drew upon the style and characters from Austen's 1813 classic.
The programme originally aired on BBC One in 2013 and can now be streamed without charge on U. The official description states: "It is June 1803, six years after the marriage of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, as recounted in Pride and Prejudice." However, a killing in the Pemberley estate grounds rapidly throws Elizabeth and Darcy's settled existence into turmoil. Lydia Wickham arrives with word that her spouse, George Wickham, has been killed, though the inquiry uncovers that he is actually accused of killing his companion, Captain Denny.
Matthew Rhys portrays Mr Darcy, while Anna Maxwell Martin takes on the role of his spouse Elizabeth. Supporting them are Jenna Coleman as Lydia Wickham and Matthew Goode as her husband George. The ensemble further features Trevor Eve, Alexandra Moen, Rebecca Front, James Fleet, Penelope Keith, Joanna Scanlan, Tom Ward, Eleanor Tomlinson, James Norton, Nichola Burley, Philip Martin Brown, and Kevin Eldon.
The production currently holds an 82% "fresh" score on review platform Rotten Tomatoes, derived from 22 reviews. Critics have praised it, with one observer noting: "A devilishly good whodunnit by P.D. James that is a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice." HuffPost remarked: "Pemberley is TV as comfort food: If you are like and your self-soothing strategies include, 'Sit down with a nice cup of tea and watch UK actors crush a well-appointed period piece,' this drama might be right up your elegantly landscaped alley."
Audiences have also posted enthusiastic responses online. One IMDb reviewer commented: "Jane Austen would approve. Beautiful screening of the P.D. James novel, which borrows characters from Pride and Prejudice. Won't disappoint." Another contributed: "A truly thrilling mystery that pays tribute to Miss Austen." A third proclaimed: "If you are like me and enjoy your Pride and Prejudice and a good murder plot, then you will love this series!" A fourth admirer observed: "Great acting, beautiful settings, masterpiece photography, and one or two changes in the plot make for a very pleasant evening." Another fan expressed: "Much better than the book. Great escapism, intriguing murder mystery, and stunning setting. What more could you want? Perfection."
Death Comes to Pemberley is available to stream on U.
