As the final episode of The Other Bennet Sister airs tonight, leaving its devoted audience bereft, the BBC offers a timely consolation prize. The broadcaster's highly praised 2009 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Emma is now available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer, providing an immediate remedy for period drama enthusiasts.
A Beloved Classic Reimagined
This four-part series, which originally premiered over a decade ago, features Romola Garai in the titular role of Emma Woodhouse. The narrative faithfully follows Austen's 1815 literary work, portraying Emma as a wealthy, clever, and independent young woman in Regency England who delights in orchestrating the romantic lives of her acquaintances.
Plot and Characters
While meddling in the affairs of others, Emma gradually becomes aware of her own deepening feelings for her longstanding friend and confidant, Mr Knightley, played by Jonny Lee Miller. Despite her contrarian spirit and initial resolve to remain unmarried, the protagonist ultimately succumbs to romance, as detailed in reports.
The ensemble cast is notably robust, with Michael Gambon appearing as Mr Woodhouse, Louise Dylan as Harriet Smith, and supporting performances from Jodhi May, Robert Bathurst, Rupert Evans, and Laura Pyper. This production stands alongside the 2020 cinematic version starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Mia Goth, offering a distinct television interpretation.
Audience Acclaim and Reception
Viewers have enthusiastically endorsed the series across various platforms. One admirer described it as a "heart-warming masterpiece," asserting, "Nobody can outdo [the BBC] when it comes to English classics." They further expressed surprise at the emotional impact, noting, "I did not expect this series would move me so much."
Another devotee declared, "Definitely the best Emma I've ever seen! The casting was perfect; it is a must watch that goes on the shelf with the other greats, Pride and Prejudice, Wives and Daughters etc. Emma was my favourite book out of all Jane Austens works and this film really does it credit!"
Additional plaudits include descriptions such as "The most perfect adaptation of Emma!" and praise for its "fresh, delightful and more modern interpretation of the classic, while still maintaining a great deal of fidelity to the novel." Multiple commentators have labelled it a "gem," with one asserting, "This is perhaps the best adaptation of a Jane Austen novel that I have seen put to screen."
Insights from the Lead Actress
In a 2013 interview, Romola Garai reflected on her approach to the character, observing, "I've always found it quite disturbing that Emma is a character that most critics, predominantly the literary canon as controlled by 19th century men, have struggled with."
She elaborated, "For me it's completely obvious why that is and it's nothing to do with her personality, it's because she's rich and because she doesn't have to get married." Garai also discussed the challenges of auditioning, revealing, "I actually had to sit on a lot of what I thought about Emma to allow myself to be properly directed and I had to pretend in the audition that I didn't have lots of ideas that didn't correlate with the director."
She added, "It's something I've had to learn the hard way – that you don't always get the job by telling the director in the audition that you have very strong ideas about how it should be played!"
The complete series of Emma is currently accessible on BBC iPlayer, offering a seamless transition for fans mourning the conclusion of The Other Bennet Sister.
