Period drama 'like Downton Abbey' with 'wealth of talent' now streaming on Amazon Prime
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It seems Julian Fellowes' affinity for period dramas knows no bounds. The mastermind behind hits like Downton Abbey, Gosford Park, The English Game, and The Gilded Age has conjured up another captivating tale, Belgravia, set in 19th century England.
This six-part drama kicks off with a pivotal historical event - the Duchess of Richmond's ball in June 1815, which took place just 48 hours prior to the Battle of Waterloo.
At its core, Belgravia revolves around the intricate lives of the Trenchard and Bellasis families, expertly navigating a complex web of scandals, romance, societal pressures, and class politics, quintessential elements of the period drama genre.
Under the creative guidance of Fellowes, and directed by John Alexander, Belgravia is an adaptation of Julian's 2016 novel of the same name. Notably, it brings together the same production team that brought Downton Abbey to life, reports the Mirror US.
Widely regarded as the champion of period dramas, comparisons to Julian's monumental success with Downton Abbey are almost unavoidable. Weighing in on this very aspect in an interview with Town and Country, Julian said: "I think [Belgravia] it's darker than Downton.
"The servants are working people; they're doing their jobs because those are the jobs that were available. It's not sentimental.
"It's a sharper world." The limited series first aired in the UK on ITV on 15 March 2020, and made its US debut on Epix on 12 April 2020.
A sequel series, Belgravia: The Next Chapter, was quickly greenlit and announced in September 2022, with the show making its premiere on ITV in January 2024, under the pen of Helen Edmundson. The cast boasts a wealth of talent, including Alice Eve, Ella Purnell, Tamsin Greig, Richard Goulding, and Emily Reid, alongside Tom Wilkinson, Harriet Walter, Philip Glenister, and Tara Fitzgerald.
Critics have had varied responses to the show, with one saying: "Belgravia has all the touchstones of a bodice-ripper. Great romance and thrilling revenge.
"And the usual coterie of leaching and sneering in-laws." Another critic commented: "Though billed as a showcase for state-of-the-art costume drama, the six-part bonnet-fest feels more like a one-stop shop for all the worst excesses and boredoms of a genre that has outlived its usefulness."
A different review wrote: "Belgravia is gorgeously appointed, it's romantic enough, it's grounded in the manners of a far more delicate time when everyone stood six-feet apart lest they bump hands." While another critic observed: "Belgravia errs on the wrong side of that divide, but it is so well-appointed that it is never less than beautiful to watch, just like 'Downton'.
"For some, the finery will win out over refinement." Audience feedback leaned towards the positive, with one viewer exclaiming: "Incredible show!
"Nothing was obvious, it kept the audience in suspense until the very last minute. Loved the complexity of the characters, the authenticity of the costumes and overall atmosphere.
"Highly recommend!". Meanwhile, another wrote: "Wonderful series!
"The storyline is gripping from the very first episode. There is no woke political ideology that spoils so many films and series these days.
"Brilliant, authentic acting and casting in the excellent period production. So many movies and series try and fail to promote female empowerment; however, Belgravia delivers this message superbly."
Belgravia is available to buy on Amazon Prime Video.
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