The BBC's adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel North and South is being hailed as the corporation's 'best ever' period drama, with viewers claiming it rivals and even surpasses the beloved 1995 Pride and Prejudice series.
A Hidden Gem Resurfaces
The four-part series, which originally aired in 2004 with little fanfare, has captivated modern audiences. Set during the Great Exhibition of 1851, the story follows Margaret Hale, a middle-class southerner forced to move to the industrial northern town of Milton. The show's lead pair, Daniela Denby-Ashe and Richard Armitage, have been praised for their chemistry, supported by an impressive ensemble cast including Tim Pigott-Smith, Lesley Manville, Sinéad Cusack, Brendan Coyle, Anna Maxwell Martin, and Rupert Evans.
Production and Filming
Screenwriter Sandy Welch and director Brian Percival brought Gaskell's Victorian masterpiece to life. Though the fictional Milton was based on Manchester, most urban scenes were filmed in Edinburgh to preserve the period's industrial character. Additional locations included Keighley in West Yorkshire and Burnley in Lancashire.
The series' official synopsis describes it as 'a love story of Margaret Hale, a middle-class southerner who is forced to move to the northern town of Milton. The spunky and passionate story brings a Southern belle into the growing industrial society of the North.'
Critical and Fan Acclaim
Despite its initial low profile, North and South won 'Best Drama' in the BBC's annual online survey in 2004, with three sequences earning 'Favourite Moments' honours. Fans have taken to IMDB to express their admiration, with one calling it 'a diamond in the rough' and 'proof that a simple story can touch a thousand souls.' Another reviewer declared it 'the best drama the BBC has ever produced,' praising Sandy Welch's dramatisation as 'sheer brilliance.'
Comparisons to Pride and Prejudice are frequent. One viewer wrote: 'Fantastic. Absolutely gorgeous period drama! As a huge fan of BBC's Pride and Prejudice, this has quickly become my favourite! Accurate casting, fantastic costumes, authentic settings... It has all the passion that Pride and Prejudice lacks.' Another added: 'This is one of the best, if not the best period mini-series to come out of Britain in recent years. Being an avid Pride and Prejudice fan, this is better.'
Where to Watch
North and South is currently available to stream for free on UKTV, allowing new audiences to discover this underappreciated gem.
