Long Live the BBC

One of the advantages of living in Canada is that we often get many good BBC programs shortly after they are broadcasted in the UK. I have to admit that the standard of their shows are quite amazing, whether they be documentaries like the Planet Earth series or their dramas. I especially like the Masterpiece Theatre dramas they are so famous for making. I mean, at least I don't feel like these shows are insulting my intelligence like some others - ahem, The Bachelor and Jersey Shore - plus, the beautiful scenery and costumes are great eye candy as well. So if you feel like having an English movie night and fill your tv screen of good looking gentleman with sexy accents and green English fields when it's pouring rain outside, here are some of my best picks for you (in random order) by the BBC or A&E

North & South
I just watched this for the first time yesterday and had low expectations due to the boring looking cover. I've never heard of this book or this drama before, but decided to give it a try. I'll admit that the story took awhile to warm up, but soon I was hooked. It has elements similar to Pride and Prejudice so this is a good option if you want a second choice. I've never heard of Richard Armitage before (who plays the Darcy-esque Mr. Thornton) but he looks a bit like Hugh Jackman, has the eyes of Gerard Butler, and the swoon-worthiness of Mr. Darcy. Let me also add that the last 5 minutes literally made my neck prickle because it was so romantic - sorry to include that bit of a spoiler but you know that it's going to end in a way to please those British homemakers. The only drawback is that it also has a lot about Victorian working conditions and unions which may bore some, and that the female lead looks a bit like Rachael Ray to me and that ruined things a bit.

Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey is often overlooked and over criticized for being one of Austen's weaker novels so the adaptations are also less popular. I liked this one because the lead looks a bit like Jude Law, Felicity Jones is perfectly sweet and pretty as Catherine Morland and it also stars one of my favorite actresses in her early acting days, the ingenue Carey Mulligan. Enough said.

Persuasion
Persuasion is one of my favorite of Jane Austen's and I thought Sally Hawkins (who won an Academy Award a few years ago) was great as Anne Elliot. One of those great stories about second chances in life and listening to your intuitions. It has some beautiful seaside sceneries and another handsome male lead as the famous Captain Wentworth.

Jane Eyre, 1997
Jane Eyre is probably one of those books that will always have endless movie and tv adaptions. This one from 1997 was the first I'd seen and is a very faithful version of the book. The talent of the two lead actors truly demonstrate their abilities, especially Samantha Morton as Jane.

Jane Eyre, 2006
However if you prefer a more modernized version, this one from 2006 has replaced the older version as the top favorite for many Jane Eyre fans. I think it's because it's quite a sexy retelling of a classic story. I mean, how can it not with Toby Stephens, son of Maggie Smith, as Mr. Rochester? Some have even criticized him for being too good looking. As if that is a crime!

.

Daniel Deronda

Daniel Deronda is about this guy who is trying to find out about his mysterious past. Hugh Dancy is stoically adorable and Romola Garai steals the show as the female lead.

Wives & Daughters
This one is quite like a modern day soap opera. Stepmother moves in between the close relationship of a daughter and her father. Throw in a frenemy stepsister, add some good looking male suitors and presto, instant addictive drama.

Little Dorrit
I've heard lots of good things about this series before I finally had a chance to see it. The story is not simply a romantic drama, but as a Dickens classic it has all the elements of a wide cast of interesting characters, beautiful scenery, and plot twists and turns. It stars Matthew MacFayden (who was Mr Darcy in the Pride and Prejudice version opposite Kiera Knightley) and Claire Foy who looks a bit like Kristen Stewart.

Tess of the d'Ubervilles, 1998
Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles is one of my favorite books and I loved, and still do, this 1998 version. I think Justine Waddell is an amazing and underestimated actress as the tragic heroine and Oliver Milburn is still my favorite Angel Clare of them all. It's a bit sad, but beautiful to watch.

Tess of the d'Ubervilles, 2008
Before she was Bond, Gemma Arterton also played Tess ten years after the last version. She plays a more confident and independent version of the character so it's also enjoyable to watch, but I didn't like Eddie Redmayne as Angel in this version. The scenery in this film is really beautiful and just makes you want to run in an English field or something.

I left out all the versions of Pride & Prejudice because I am sure everyone and their dog knows about the 1995 version and Colin Firth exiting the lake. If you have any suggestions for me, please feel free to send them on!