Lisa Gorry goes back in time for a little period drama pooching
levitra serif;”>Two words: period dramas.
sickness serif;”>Nothing gets a girl going more than the sight of a laced bodice and jodhpurs, and with the return of the fantastic Downton Abbey to our screens, we can now leave the posh talking to the professionals and put our handkerchiefs away. The highly anticipated third series of Julian Fellowes’ masterpiece graced our screens last week on TV3 and it was not to disappoint. Matthew and Mary finally get married, the Grantham’s have started to finally accept Branson for his worth, and Lady Grantham, as always, delights.
However, I’m certain that things won’t remain so rosy in the garden for long, and if you, like me, just can’t get enough of this particular genre of show, I saw look no further, because the Siren’s got your back. Just in case one episode of Downton isn’t enough however to stave off the haughty hysteria, here are some of the Siren’s highly recommended alternatives to keep you at bay until next Wednesday. While they won’t have Maggie Smith, I’m sure they’ll do just fine:
Pride and Prejudice (BBC Series: 1995)
Closest to the book in it’s adaptation, the BBC series by far has best captured the essence of the sexual tension between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Colin Firth stole our hearts as the strong silent type in this 1995 mini-series. If you haven’t seen it yet, you haven’t lived.
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Emma Thompson was just made for this role, and having won the Oscar for best screenplay, she deserves too to have her screen presence acknowledged. A fantastic cast comprised of Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman adds to the brilliant story of the Dashwoods, and Hugh Grant is particularly charming as the unsuitable English man.
Jane Eyre (2011)
Michael Fassbender: need I say more? While there have been many variations of this classic, on both big and small screens, I’ve picked the most recent adaptation for it’s dark tones and fantastic performances, from both Fassbender and the formidable Mia Wasikowska. Not for the faint-hearted as the dialogue stays true to the book, if you’re a fan of Jane Eyre itself, this version will be a thrilling selection.
The Young Victoria (2009)/The Duchess (2008)
I genuinely couldn’t pick between these two. Maybe it’s because I saw them at the same time, and so I’m not against recommending that someone else do the same. Emily Blunt is endearing as the young Queen of England with a terrific supporting cast, while Kiera Knightley is powerful as the Duchess of Devonshire in front of Ralph Fiennes as the Duke himself. Period dramas at their finest.
