'Sublime' BBC period drama is 'best adaptation' and has fans 'glued' to TV

An underrated period drama is now on BBC iPlayer awaiting your discovery. Often compared to the 1995 version, Sense and Sensibility is a 2008 British television drama adaptation of Jane Austen's 1811 novel of the same name.

The screenplay was written by Andrew Davies, who said that it was aimed to make viewers forget Ang Lee's 1995 film Sense and Sensibility. The series differed in that Davies' was "more overtly sexual" than previous Austen adaptations, and he included scenes featuring a seduction and a duel that are suggested in Austen's book but were absent from the feature film. Sense and Sensibility was directed by John Alexander and produced by Anne Pivcevic. Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield starred as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, two sisters who go on "a voyage of burgeoning sexual and romantic discovery".

The series synopsis reads: "Sense and Sensibility is a three-part adaptation of Jane Austen's novel that follows the Dashwood sisters after their father's death leaves them in poverty. They move to a small cottage in Devonshire, where the reserved Elinor falls for the secretive Edward Ferrars, while her passionate sister Marianne is torn between the older Colonel Brandon and the charming Willoughby. The series explores their romantic pursuits and challenges as they navigate society, love, and family."

The series has an impressive 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, with one fan describing it as "sublime" and another stating they were "glued" to the TV.

Another reviewer said: "By far the most accurate and best adaptation. The casting is brilliant."

On IMDb a viewer commented: "I have read the book, seen the 1995 movie adaptation, but this series was so beautifully played, and the emotion conveyed was so impressive. Don't get me wrong, the book is fantastic, and the movie adaptation was lovely! But this series moved me much more with the feelings conveyed by mere expression, which made it phenomenal. I loved it!"

"I would absolutely recommend this version to any true Jane Austen fan; it does not disappoint, in fact, it leaves you with that same warm fuzzy feeling that each novel and most of the film adaptations always do," a third added.

Sense and Sensibility is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.