Fans of period dramas will be thrilled to learn there's more material to savour from beloved novelist Jane Austen, venturing beyond the well-trodden ground of Pride and Prejudice, and it's presently available to watch free of charge.
Admirers of Downton Abbey, Bridgerton, and the recent television hit The Other Bennet Sister will be delighted to discover that another of Austen's novels has been adapted for the screen once again.
Running across three compelling seasons, Sanditon is based on the unfinished manuscript Jane Austen left incomplete after her premature passing. The novel was never completed, which means the original fragmentary text was chiefly used for the first episode alone, remaining faithful to Austen's characteristic style. After that, the writers allowed the story to evolve organically, expanding upon the existing characters and plotlines, reports the Express.
Like many of the most adored period dramas, this production is set against the refined backdrop of the Regency period, requiring elegance and lavishness. The pageantry and splendour, though imagined centuries earlier, was reinterpreted by creator Andrew Davies to render it strikingly on screen.
One fan said on Rotten Tomatoes: "Absolutely loved it. So intelligent, sensitive, and well acted. It is sad that there is not TV like this in America. The Brits make series for intelligent people who are not superhero addicted. All three series were binge-worthy and elevating. Rose Williams was perfect in her role."
Meanwhile, another added: "I loved Sanditon 2 and 3! The casting was outstanding, and the story, though not written by Jane Austen, was expertly written to continue her unfinished last novel in the Austen-like style."
Sanditon follows the story of young Charlotte Heywood as she attempts to find her footing in the burgeoning coastal retreat of Sanditon. Keen to explore everything the town has to offer, she finds herself constantly frustrated by the resort's scheming inhabitants.
The show first appeared on ITV in 2019, with an initial run of eight episodes, before being commissioned for two further series. Across these seasons, the cast develops with certain characters remaining central to the storyline, including Rose Williams as Charlotte, Kate Ashfield as Mary Parker, and Crystal Clarke as Georgiana Lambe.
Viewers have been particularly vocal in praising the on-screen spark between certain cast members, notably that of Rose Williams as Charlotte and Ben Lloyd-Hughes in the second series as Alexander Colbourne. One review says: "Masterful storytelling. Exquisite performances by Rose Williams and Ben Lloyd-Hughes establish Charlotte Heywood and Alexander Colbourne as an iconic Austen couple. Bring them back to tell more stories of their life in Sanditon."
Another fan said: "Never in my life have I been so intensely swept away by a series. Sanditon is literally the best thing I've ever watched, and I'm not exaggerating. The acting! The ACTING! Superb. The storyline is so captivating."
As the show progressed through its run, its following grew considerably, with the concluding season of the period drama earning the highest possible rating on Rotten Tomatoes - an impressive 100%. Upon the release of its final season, a reviewer for The Times said: "After a tame series one and two, Sanditon may finally have found its soul. And, a flavour that at least faintly tastes of Jane Austen."
Sanditon is currently available to stream, with every episode free to watch on ITVX.
