Fans of period dramas will be pleased to learn there is more material to savour from beloved novelist Jane Austen, moving beyond the well-trodden ground of Pride and Prejudice, and it is presently accessible to stream without 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 behind after her premature passing. The novel was never completed, which meant the original fragmentary material was chiefly employed for the first episode only, remaining faithful to Austen's characteristic voice. After that, the screenwriters permitted the story to evolve organically, expanding on the existing characters and plotlines.
What is Sanditon about?
Sanditon follows the experiences of young Charlotte Heywood as she attempts to navigate life in the developing seaside town of Sanditon. Keen to explore everything the resort provides, she repeatedly encounters obstacles from the town's scheming inhabitants.
Like many of the most cherished period dramas, this production is set against the refined landscape of the Regency period, requiring elegance and lavishness. The spectacle and magnificence, though imagined centuries earlier, was reinterpreted by creator Andrew Davies to render it strikingly alive on screen.
Cast and performances
The programme premiered on ITV in 2019, with eight initial episodes airing before securing a recommission for two further series. Across these series, the cast shifts with particular characters maintaining central positions in the storyline, including Rose Williams as Charlotte, Kate Ashfield as Mary Parker, and Crystal Clarke as Georgiana Lambe.
Viewers have been swift to praise the rapport between specific actors, especially that of Rose Williams as Charlotte and Ben Lloyd-Hughes in the second series as Alexander Colbourne.
Critical acclaim
One viewer 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."
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."
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 viewer added: "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."
The show's appeal grew considerably as it progressed, with the concluding season of the period drama earning a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Upon the release of its final series, 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."
All episodes of Sanditon are currently available to stream free of charge on ITVX.
