Fans of period dramas should not miss the overlooked ITV costume series Bramwell, which is ideal for those pining for BBC's Call the Midwife, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, or All Creatures Great and Small. Bramwell initially appeared on television in 1995 and continued for four series until 1999.
Victorian-Era Storyline
Set in 1895 during the Victorian period, it chronicles female doctor Dr Eleanor Bramwell (portrayed by Jemma Redgrave), documenting her work at a London hospital. Bramwell tracked the protagonist as she confronted workplace sexism, frequently being deemed inferior to her male colleagues, with her views regularly dismissed.
After a dispute with a senior associate, Dr Bramwell was sacked, and her father presented her with an opportunity to join him in private practice treating elderly patients. Nevertheless, she rejects his proposal after family acquaintance Lady Cora Peters (Michele Dotrice) requests Dr Bramwell establish a modest hospital named The Thrift to treat destitute patients.
The Thrift Hospital
The hospital derives its name from its Thrift Street location and rapidly grows its workforce to encompass the austere Nurse Ethel Car (Ruth Sheen) and former patient and foot amputee Daniel Bentley (Cliff Parisi) serving as a porter. Dr Bramwell also recruits her former colleague, Dr Joe Marsham (Kevin McMonagle), to serve as an anaesthetist, working without payment in return for the opportunity to conduct surgery and hone his abilities.
The opening series charted the triumphs and tribulations at The Thrift, casting light on pressing social concerns of the era, including racism, alcoholism and workhouse standards. Throughout its duration, Bramwell chronicled the persistent efforts to sustain The Thrift's operations while tending to patients.
Cast and Reception
Woven into this narrative are several of Dr Bramwell's romantic liaisons, which create complications for her. Bramwell also featured Keeley Gainey, Motherland's David Calder, the late Robert Hardy of All Creatures Great and Small and Harry Potter renown, Ben Brazier, Andrew Connolly, Deadwater Fell's Maureen Beattie, and David Bark-Jones.
Numerous viewers have commended the period drama on IMDb, where it presently maintains a 7.8/10 rating. Multiple viewers expressed their opinions on Bramwell, with a recurring sentiment regarding the fourth and concluding series.
One individual proclaimed in their 9/10 assessment: "Awesome three seasons, skip the fourth." The viewer elaborated: "This is an exceedingly hard series to rate because the first three seasons are so terrific and the fourth is unaccountably bad."
While another awarded the programme 10/10 and praised it as a "very compelling show", continuing: "Really enjoyed this series particullarly from a historical point of view [sic]." A further glowing review hailed lead Redgrave as "amazing", elaborating: "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."
The reviewer concluded: "Well written and atmospheric bringing you into a very gritty part of London." Another viewer awarded the show 8/10, declaring the first two series "exceptional" and praising its "excellent" storylines.
Bramwell is available to rent on Prime Video now.
