Netflix had a huge hit on its hands with Bridgerton, and a prequel spinoff about Queen Charlotte's formative years is in the works. Bridgerton is based on a popular book series by Julia Quinn, so the show already had a built-in fanbase. But the streaming service isn't the first to capitalize on literary adaptations. With centuries of great literature to pull from, the BBC has produced some of TV's best adaptations that have reintroduced classic works to the masses. Even if the piece was somewhat obscure, the classy way with which the BBC brings the stories to life makes them accessible to everyone.
From groundbreaking miniseries like Pride and Prejudiceto lesser-known gems like Little Dorrit, adaptations have been the bread and butter of the British Broadcasting Corporation. Though they have produced a host of great series over the years, only the very best scored high marks on IMDb.
Wolf Hall (2015) - 8.1
Not every BBC adaptation necessarily has to plumb the depths of classic literature, and their wildly popular series Wolf Hall drew inspiration from a book series by the late Hilary Mantel published in the 2000s. The historical fiction miniseries chronicles the quick rise of Thomas Cromwell, a cunning member of King Henry VIII's court who seizes his moment after the death of Sir Thomas More.
Brilliantly led by Mark Rylance as Cromwell, the twisted drama pulls heavily from shows like Game of Thronesfor its inspiration. Though it plays somewhat fast and loose with history, the series is quick-paced and utterly gripping from start to finish.
Wives And Daughters (1999) - 8.1
In Elizabeth Gaskell's somewhat obscure opus, young Molly's life is thrown into disarray when her widowed father marries a vain woman who brings along her unpleasant daughter from a previous marriage.
Packed with all the subtle romance and beautiful period costumes that make these adaptations soar, Wives and Daughters had the benefit of being largely unknown to most of its audience. Generally considered one of the BBC's best period dramas, it reignited interest in a lesser-known piece of British literary history.
The Barchester Chronicles (1982) - 8.2
Based on the series of novels by Anthony Trollope, The Barchester Chronicles had a lot to pull from in its seven-part miniseries adaptation. After an investigation is launched into financial misgivings at the Barchester cathedral, the new leadership lead a reform crusade to clean up the church's image.
With Alan Rickman shining in an early role, and with the veteran presence of Donald Pleasence, the titular chronicles were well acted, to say the least. Unlike many other BBC adaptations which focus on novels of pomp and circumstance, The Barchester Chronicles is a surprisingly plot-driven story that is engaging to any type of audience.
Lark Rise To Candleford (2008-2011) - 8.2
The BBC is mostly known for its short miniseries based on books, but Lark Rise to Candleford took the opportunity to make an ongoing story out of a famous memoir. Young Laura Timmins leaves the familiar confines of Lark Rise for the unfamiliar hamlet of Candleford where she begins to live with her aunt who serves as postmistress of the town.
Drawing from the real-life experiences of author Flora Thompson, the four-season show captures the ins and outs of life in Candleford in the 19th century. The many vibrant townsfolk offer a diverse range of characters, and the audience quickly becomes invested in the goings-on of Timmins and her new neighbors.
Little Dorrit (2008) - 8.2
The works of Charles Dickens have been adapted on numerous occasions, but Little Dorrit was a classic gem that hadn't gotten the same overexposure in other forms of media. Amy Dorrit spends her days working to provide for her family, but the sudden return of her boss's son changes her entire outlook on life.
Bleak as always, Dickens was never afraid to depict life in 19th century England as it really was. With her father in debtors' prison, and her life dominated by work, Dorrit's new adventure is a glimmer of hope in Dickens' gray world. Ranked highly among the best Dickens adaptations of all time, Little Dorrit was a pleasant surprise for classic literature fans.
Jane Eyre (2006) - 8.3
Some pieces of classic literature are so beloved that adaptations are under a lot of pressure to impress, and the 2006 adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre didn't disappoint. After becoming the governess of Thornfield Hall, young Jane soon finds herself in a whirlwind love affair with her charge's brooding and mysterious caregiver.
Usually labeled with such lofty monikers as "the greatest love story ever told," the novel was extremely familiar to the average classics fan. Despite this, the miniseries found a way to bring the old tale to life in a new way without changing too much of the story, and each scene was taut with passion from beginning to end.
Bleak House (2005) - 8.3
Once again returning to the Dickens well, Bleak House attempted to tackle one of his more noted works of long fiction. With their financial lives hanging in limbo, a family awaits the verdict of the Chancery court that could make or break their futures.
Though the circumstances are somewhat mysterious to modern viewers, the novel was an indictment of the crooked legal system of 19th century England. As such, the miniseries does an excellent job of establishing the conflict, and the story's many rich characters are where it shines the brightest. The best courtroom dramas are known for their suspense, and Bleak House has it in abundance.
North And South (2004) - 8.6
Few novels have come to define the British literary scene quite as much as Gaskell's seminal work North and South. The popular miniseries tells the story of Margaret Hale, a middle-class woman from the south of England who moves to the rural north where she finds love in an unlikely place.
Overcoming prejudices was a common theme in 19th-century literature, and North and South makes it the central crux of its compelling story. The brilliance of the work is that it is still applicable today, and though the miniseries preserves the book's time period, it feels very modern.
Pride And Prejudice (1995) - 8.8
Though period dramas aren't everyone's cup of tea, the groundbreaking '90s adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice still continues to make waves to this day. Going against the rigid social constructs of the day, young Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fall in love.
With Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in the starring roles, the six-episode series made audiences fall in love once again with Austen's most famous work. Nailing every emotional beat with finesse, the miniseries is not only faithful to the book but is accessible to a modern audience who is looking for a tear-jerking love story.
I, Claudius (1976) - 8.9
Robert Graves' I, Claudius was a revelation when it hit bookstores in the 1930s, and as a miniseries it made for humorous and fascinating viewing. Told from the perspective of the wizened and elderly Emperor Claudius, the book recounts the history of the Roman Empire's leaders after the death of Caesar.
With a cast of superstars like Patrick Stewart and John Hurt, the sweeping epic covers decades of history in an accessible and enjoyable manner. Claudius makes for a great narrator, and though it is somewhat cheap-looking by today's standards, the engrossing set pieces help to submerge the audience in the early years of the Roman Empire.
Source:gamerant.com