where to watch: Amazon Prime
when to watch: When you want a good old British period drama that isn’t a multi-year commitment
you should note: Easily bingeable. It’s only 4 episodes!
tl;dr: As “British period drama” as it gets: an aristocratic family on the verge of ruin, their handsome heir, and a stunning girl with no fortune…
After a brief hiatus, I’m back!
It’s been a few months since the Downton Abbey movie came out, but in case watching it left you aching for more British aristocracy, I have just the thing for you! And if you’ve never seen Downton Abbey (what’s wrong with you…?), but you like pretty things or romance or classic novels, I still have the thing for you!
The Downton Abbey movie was entirely foolish (and shouldn’t exist). Allow me point you in the direction of something much better—a great little miniseries called Doctor Thorne, adapted by none other than the writer/creator of Downton himself, Julian Fellowes.
Doctor Thorne is based on a novel of the same name by Anthony Trollope. Trollope is not as well known as Austen or Dickens, but according to Fellowes, he should be. I have never read any of Trollope’s novels, but I can say the miniseries is a true delight. Fellowes knows how to write dialogue, there’s no doubt about it.
the premise
So if you’re like me and had never heard of Trollope or Doctor Thorne before reading this, you’re probably wondering what the hell the show is about. Hint—it’s not about medicine.
It’s a beautiful day. The sun is sparkling. The grass looks greener than ever. Three young women sit in the shade of a tree, discussing wedding plans. Soon, a fourth joins them. This is Mary Thorne.
Mary Thorne is the niece of our universally adored village doctor and titular character. However, there are some major question marks surrounding her birth. This didn’t matter much when she was young, and she was always welcome at the village’s “big house”, Greshamsbury Park. She grew up playing with the children there.
As she has grown older, though, she finds that her questionable birth status and complete lack of fortune begin to matter more and more—especially when Lady Gresham notices her only son, Frank, seems particularly attached to the beautiful Miss Thorne.
See Lord Gresham, Frank’s father, messed up royally and got his family into a lot of debt. Now their only hope is for Frank to “marry money.” How can Frank’s attachment to Mary and his family’s desperate need for money be reconciled?
notable characters
Mary Thorne is one of those rare characters that is selfless and sweet, but never in a way that feels excessive—she’s smart too, and realistic about the world. Opposite her, Frank Gresham is easy to crush on. He’s really cute, super sweet, and hopelessly in love. Frank and Mary are perfectly matched.
Doctor Thorne provides the backbone of the show. He’s reliable and kind and altogether enjoyable to watch.
All in all, the four-episode series is just a cute, light show. It’s absolutely ideal for filling the Crawley-shaped hole in your heart. It has every ingredient for a perfect period drama. The sunny English countryside sets are stunning. The massive skirts and strange fingerless gloves are beautiful. There’s a fair share of villainous young men, meddling old women, and beautiful girls with hearts of gold.
Like any good British period drama, the series explores prejudice, classism, money, family duty, and of course—love.
Also, Alison Brie has an amazing little role in this! Go watch it!
This sounds like just what I’m looking for!
Nice work!