The 2017 BBC mini-series Howards End, based on E.M. Forster's classic novel, is now available on Netflix, offering fans of Downton Abbey a captivating exploration of class divisions and Victorian family dynamics. The four-episode series stars Hayley Atwell and Matthew McFadyen, who have been praised for their "sparkling" performances.
Plot and Characters
The story revolves around three families: the wealthy Wilcoxes, the intellectual Schlegels, and the struggling lower-middle-class Basts. Margaret Schlegel (Atwell) and her sister Helen (Philippa Coulthard) befriend the conservative Wilcox family. Margaret forms a close bond with Ruth Wilcox, who on her deathbed makes a decision that shocks the family, particularly her son Henry (McFadyen). Meanwhile, the Schlegel sisters attempt to help Leonard Bast, a clerk facing economic hardship. Love, pregnancy, and death intertwine, leading to a dramatic climax.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
The series was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Mini-Series in 2018. Hayley Atwell also received a nomination for Best Actress at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards. Fans have praised the acting, with one IMDb reviewer noting, "Matthew McFayden and Hayley Atwell just lit up the screen... the control and command of the dialogue was exquisite." Another viewer commented, "The story was interesting and I could not guess the ending. I loved the characters and how they changed over the course of the series."
Cast and Streaming
The ensemble cast includes Julia Ormond, Joseph Quinn, Alex Lawther, Tracey Ullman, Rosalind Eleazar, Jonah Hauer-King, Joe Bannister, Sandra Voe, and Miles Jupp. A Rotten Tomatoes review described it as "transporting me to a place that was very charming. I loved the story, the actors, the costumes and sets." The series is now streaming on Netflix.
