Fans of classic literature and quality period drama have a compelling new option for their watchlist, as a celebrated adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women' has arrived on a major UK streaming platform. The three-part miniseries, which originally aired on BBC One over the 2017 Christmas period, can now be streamed in full on ITVX.
A Stellar Cast Brings the March Sisters to Life
This particular retelling of the timeless 19th-century novel distinguishes itself with an acclaimed ensemble cast. The role of the fiercely independent Jo March is taken by Maya Hawke, the actor and musician known for her role in Netflix's Stranger Things and as the daughter of Hollywood stars Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. She is joined by Willa Fitzgerald as Meg, Kathryn Newton as Amy, and Annes Elwy as Beth.
The story follows the four sisters as they come of age and navigate poverty, love, and ambition against the backdrop of the American Civil War, guided by their mother Marmee.
Critical Acclaim and Audience Praise
The adaptation, written by Heidi Thomas and directed by Vanessa Caswill, was met with significant praise from both reviewers and viewers. It holds an impressive 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 37 reviews, with the critical consensus highlighting its charm and loyalty to Alcott's source material.
Audience reactions have been particularly effusive about Maya Hawke's central performance. One fan on IMDb described her as a 'show-stopper', noting, 'It was like she had leaped from the page.' Another viewer praised the series as a 'valuable addition' to the canon of Little Women adaptations, appreciating its modern style of acting and direction.
Major publications also offered glowing reviews. The Telegraph called it a 'delight from start to finish', while Newsday labelled it a 'luminous adaptation' with Hawke delivering yet another memorable portrayal of Jo.
Joining a Legacy of Adaptations
This BBC version entered a rich field of interpretations of the classic novel. Notably, just two years after this miniseries aired, a major theatrical film adaptation was released in 2019. That version starred Saoirse Ronan as Jo March and went on to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design, alongside nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress.
For those interested in comparing the different takes on Alcott's work, the 2019 film is available to stream on Netflix, while this critically adored three-part series is now exclusively on ITVX, offering a more intimate, television-focused exploration of the March family's enduring story.
