Fans of period dramas will be thrilled to discover there’s further material to savour from beloved author Jane Austen, extending well beyond the well-trodden ground of Pride and Prejudice, and it’s presently available to watch completely free of charge.
Admirers of Downton Abbey, Bridgerton, and the recent television phenomenon The Other Bennet Sister will be delighted to hear that another of Austen’s creations has been adapted for the screen once again.
Running across three compelling seasons, Sanditon is based upon the unfinished manuscript Jane Austen left incomplete following her premature passing.
The novel was never completed, which means the original fragmentary text was chiefly employed for the first episode alone, remaining faithful to Austen’s characteristic style.
After that, the writers permitted the story to evolve organically, expanding upon the existing characters and plotlines, reports the Express.
View 3 ImagesRose Williams plays the leading role of Charlotte(Image: ITV)
Similar to many of the most adored period dramas, this production is set against the refined backdrop of the Regency period, requiring elegance and lavishness.
The pageantry and magnificence, though envisioned centuries earlier, was reimagined by creator Andrew Davies to render it strikingly vivid on screen.
One fan 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.”
Meanwhile, 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.”
Sanditon follows the story of young woman Charlotte Heywood as she attempts to navigate life in the burgeoning seaside resort of Sanditon.
View 3 ImagesThere are three seasons to binge-watch(Image: Red Planet (Sanditon 3) Ltd/Rob Youngson)
Keen to explore everything the town has to offer, she repeatedly finds herself frustrated by the resort’s scheming inhabitants.
The series premiered on ITV in 2019, with eight episodes originally aired, before securing renewals for two further seasons.
Across these seasons, the cast changes with particular characters staying central to 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 on-screen rapport between certain actors, especially that of Rose Williams as Charlotte and Ben Lloyd-Hughes in the second season as Alexander Colbourne.
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 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.”
As the show progressed through its run, its appeal grew considerably, with the concluding season of the period drama achieving the highest possible rating on Rotten Tomatoes — a remarkable 100%.
Following the drop of its final season, a critic for The Times wrote: “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.”
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Sanditon is currently available to stream, with every episode free to watch on ITVX.