Foyle's War (TV Series) - Season 1

Foyle's War is a series that I've always thought I should watch because it seemed interesting, but until the other day I had only seen one or two episodes and been fairly bored by them. So since I was already bored the other day I tried watching it again from the beginning and finally got the story from the start and found myself rather enjoying the first season! 

The stories do move slower as each episode runs about 90 minutes and World War II isn't my most favorite time period but I do enjoy this series most times.

With lovely 1940's fashions, pretty music, gorgeous scenery, interesting mysteries and many recognizable actors throughout the series Foyle's War is a fun series and I'm looking forward to watching more of the episodes in future.

This is my third film review for the 2016 Period Drama Challenge I'm hosting. Check out all the details of the challenge at the official post.

Foyle: "I'm a policeman. I'm here to do a job. Simple as that. If I start bending the rules, I might as well pack it in."

Sam: "Yes, but she was a German." 

Foyle: "Well, it doesn't make any difference at all. She's a human being, She was murdered. Murder is murder. You stop believing that, and we might as well not be fighting a war, because you end up like the Nazis." 

--Season 1, Episode 1

A Bit About The Main Characters:

Michael Kitchen as DCS Christopher Foyle - The quote above is why I like Foyle. It doesn't matter the circumstances surrounding a victim's murder, murder is murder and must be punished, even in the middle of a war. I enjoy Foyle because he's very even tempered and thoughtful as a detective and keeps his emotions buried deep down. His interview style is interesting because most times all he has to do is ask one question and let the person he's interviewing talk themselves into trouble. He loves fly fishing, golfing and getting letters from his son Andrew who is in the RAFs. Michael Kitchen's other period dramas include: The Buccaneers (1995), Kidnapped (1995), Oliver Twist (1999) and Lorna Doone (2000). 

Honeysuckle Weeks as Samantha Stewart "Sam" - Sam is a rather plucky gal who is assigned to Foyle as his driver. He is impressed by her right away when she stops a criminal from running away. Over time she pushes a bit into Foyle's personal life and becomes a good friend him. Her stories of growing up as a minister's daughter are quite funny. Ms. Weeks' other period dramas include: Lorna Doone (2000) and Poirot: Cards On The Table.

Anthony Howell as Paul Milner - A disabled veteran who consults on Foyle's first case (well, in Episode 1) and later works on as his junior officer. His wife Jane has a hard time accepting the loss of his leg and isn't very supportive of him. He has a hard time in the first season figuring out where he stands on the war since he's been wounded, all part of figuring out who he is as a man.

Anthony Howell's other period dramas include: Roger Hamley in Wives & Daughters (1999). 

Julian Ovenden as Andrew Foyle - Andrew isn't in many of the episodes but I enjoy his character mostly because through his scenes and the letters he sends it shows the softer side of his father DCS Foyle. Julian Ovenden's other period dramas include: The Forsyte Saga (I don't recommend this), A Christmas Carol: The Musical (2004), Poirot: After The Funeral and Downton Abbey (Season 4 & 5).

Season One By Episode:

Episode 1: The German Woman

Story: The German wife of a rich and influential aristocrat exempted from wartime internment is found decapitated in the midst of anti-German feeling.

Content: Two Germans are handled rather roughly and taken to an interment camp, a bomb hits a pub with people inside, victim is beheaded while out ridding (bloody hand and face are shown but nothing else), another victim is run over by a car, a love affair is mentioned, some heavy kissing. 

Recognizable Actors: David Horovitch, Edward Fox, Robert Hardy, Joanna Kanska, Rosamund Pike, Dominic Mafham, Julian Ovenden, James McAvoy

Thoughts: Neat to meet all the characters. Moves fairly slowly but right up until the end it was hard to figure out who the murderer was and when Foyle did figure it out his true metal was tested (an that's where the quote comes is). 

Episode 2: The White Feather

Story: The arrest of a young girl on a sabotage charge brings Foyle into contact with a group of English Nazi sympathizers.The arrest of a young girl on a sabotage charge brings Foyle into contact with a group of English Nazi sympathizers.

Content: Nazi sympathizers make jokes and sing a degrading song about Jews, the victim is shot with a gun, another attempted murder victim is shown, wounded soldiers are shown being treated, a dead man's face is shown.

Recognizable Actors: Charles Dance, Michael Simkins, Maggie Steed, Tobias Menzies, Paul Brooke, Patrick Godfrey

Thoughts: I didn't really like Charles Dance's character at all but then he's a Nazi sympathizer in this and you're supposed to like her. The identity of the murderer wasn't very surprising but interesting nonetheless. 

Episode 3: A Lesson In Murder

Story: Foyle investigates the suicide of a pacifist and death threats to the judge who ruled against his conscientious objector status.

Content: A naked man is chatised by being hosed down with freezing cold water (his front and behind aren't shown), a victim is hanged in a police cell, a summerhouse is blown up by a grenade and one character tragically dies in the explosion, shots are heard and another victim is found dead, effects of war are talked about, when the the murder is explained the second victim is seen shot in the chest three times, a mod is seen blowing up a shop and there is a death talked about.  

Recognizable Actors: Oliver Ford Davies, Sophia Myles, David Tennant, Elliot Cowan, Cheryl Campbell, Allan Corduner.

Thoughts: The actors are awesome in this! David Tennant spouts poetry and Sophia Myles is secretly in love with Elliot Cowan and his Irish accent! This is the first time we get to see the lovely Sam out of uniform and she looks so pretty in a blue dress dancing with a handsome man! Nice to see Sergeant Milner getting around more but sad that his wife isn't more supportive. The murder in this is so very sad! Neat to see Foyle's friends, someone that knew his deceased wife even. Probably my favorite episode of this first season, very sad in some ways but has it's lovely parts too!

Episode 4: Eagle Day

Story: Foyle investigates a man found with a knife in his stomach in a bombed out building while son Andrew gets involved in a top secret radar program.

Content: A bomb falls on an apartment complex and a man is found dead in the wreckage with a knife in his stomach, Sam and her father talk about lack of morality with the war, Sam tries to get information out of an RAF officer at a pub and he pinches her, another victim is stabbed in the chest, a girl's suicide is talked about and the reason she killed herself (seduced and pregnant) are spoken of, bombs go off and characters must run for cover.

Recognizable Actors: Anthony Calf, Roger Allam and Anton Lesser. 

Thoughts: Neat to see Andrew getting his flying orders and talking to his father about flying. One scene even briefly touches on Foyle's wife and that she's been gone eight years. Anton Lesser make a wonderful museum curator and shares interesting tidbits about an art museum hiding their paintings in a cave in Wales! They even get to visit Wales and talk to a Welshman (love their accents!). Sam has to deal with her minister father disapproving about her job and almost has to leave! An interesting story of how two murders are tied together!

Recommendations: This show isn't rated but most of the episodes I'd give a PG-13 rating for mild cursing, violence and some more adult themes (such as war and love affairs). I quite enjoyed this series and I think it would appeal to those who enjoy other period dramas such as Poirot, Miss Marple, Granchester and Endeavour. 

Have you seen Foyle's War (TV series)? 

Do you have a favorite season, episode or character?

Mr. Holmes (2015)

It's lovely to see Sherlock Holmes themed films and TV shows popping up recently! Mr. Holmes (2015) tells the story of the famous detective's last case, the case of the missing memories. I went to see this beautiful film back in September and completely enjoyed every delightful moment!

Story: An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes, deals with early dementia, as he tries to remember his final case and a woman, the memory of whom still haunts him. He also befriends a fan, the young son of his housekeeper, who wants him to work again. Based on the novel A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin.

Costumes: The main story is set in the 1920s (I think) but there are flashbacks to the early 1900's with some lovely costumes. I'd say the costumes were not extraordinary but they were nice and fitting for the time periods they were representing.

Any Objectionable Content? I'll be very honest with you and say that since I saw it over a month ago it is hard to recall. I remember expecting there to be a major scene or theme that would be inappropriate but overall it was quite a clean film. There are probably some uses of God's name taken in vain, but there isn't any mature content. There is a mystery to be solved and a character does die, but the body is not shown. There is also an accident involving a child that might be distressing to young children. This film is rated PG which is very clean for a film of this type.

Recognizable Actors:

• Ian McKellen as  Sherlock Holmes - I was concerned that his Sherlock Holmes might be something like Gandalf or be too much like the actor, but as I watched I found myself wishing I could have seen this elderly version of Sherlock Holmes when he was on the trail of a master criminal! Known for: Mr. Creakle in David Copperfield (1999), Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit films. Cast as Cogsworth in the live action Beauty and the Beast (2017)!
• Laura Linney as  Mrs. Munro - As Sherlock Holmes' housekeeper she is cautious and protective of her son, yet very kind. Known for: hosting Masterpiece Classic, The House of Mirth and John Adams TV series (haven't seen either so can't recommend them).
• Milo Parker as Roger Munro - Curious young son of Mr. Holmes' housekeeper, probably my favorite character in the film! This young actor hasn't been in any other period dramas so far but he will be excellent in any future roles.   
• Hattie Morahan as Ann Kelmot - The mysterious lady from Mr. Holmes' past, she is amazing as this character as in all of her roles! Known for: Elinor Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility (2008), Lark Rise To Candleford, Marple: A Pocket Full of Rye and Arthur & George (another Holmes related film!). Cast as Agathe in the live action Beauty and the Beast (2017)!
• Patrick Kennedy as Thomas Kelmot - A fairly small role but it's neat to see Richard Carstone from Bleak House (2005) popping up in other period films! Known for: Richard Carstone in Bleak House (2005), The 39 Steps (2008), War Horse and Downton Abbey (Season 4).
• Philip Davis as Inspector Gilbert - Another Bleak House actor! This role as an inspector was quite refreshing. Known for: Mr. Smallweed in Bleak House (2005), Nicholas Nickleby (2002), Marple: Sleeping Murder, Lark Rise to Candleford, Sherlock (Season 1), Merlin (TV series) and Poldark (TV series).
• Frances de la Tour as Madame Schirmer - This actress is easily recognizable for me but I can never remember what period dramas she has been in. Known for: Poirot: Death On The Nile, Marple: The Moving Finger, Alice In Wonderland (2010), Hugo (2011) and Into The Woods (2014). 
• John Sessions as Mycroft Holmes - A short appearance but quite well cast. Known for: Princess Cariboo (1994), Marple: The Moving Finger, Oliver Twist (2007) and Sherlock (Season 1).

My Thoughts: I really did not expect to be quite so pleased with Mr. Holmes (2015). I thought it would be a "nice" film, but what I found was a clever story that drew me in and matched quite well with the stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Star actor Ian McKellen really brought the great detective to life and helped him seem as real as readers have felt him to be for generations. He also brought tears to my eyes as he showed the struggles of growing old. The friendship between Mr. Holmes and Roger is quite fun to see develop, and it's always nice to see a film have a happy ending! I'm very much looking forward to watching this film again soon!

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this film if you are a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories or any of these actors. It is a delightful film and for some odd reason reminds me of Miss Potter (2005) in the way the story it is told. Mr. Holmes (2015) is definitely being added to my recommended period films list!


Have you seen Mr. Holmes (2015)?
What did you think of Ian McKellen's performance as Sherlock Holmes?

The Making Of A Lady (2012)

The Making Of A Lady (2012) is Victorian era mystery or thriller of sorts, based loosely on Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Making of a Marchioness. It re-aired on PBS last fall and I meant to watch it then, so when I saw it on Netflix I took my chance. It was quite disappointing and a rather scary but with a happy ending. I'm pretty sure it wasn't much like the book, but I haven't read it yet.

I dislike doing negative reviews so I'm trying to keep this one short. This film looks good at first but it turns ugly in the middle. I don't recommend it.

Story: Poor but intelligent Emily Fox Seton accepts a marriage proposal from the older Lord James Walderhurst, a widower pushed into providing an heir by his haughty aunt Maria, Emily's employer. It is an arrangement for them both - in James' case to stop the family home passing to James' cousin Alec Osborn and his Anglo-Indian wife Hester. However affection soon grows between them but James is posted to India with his regiment and the Osborns come to stay with Emily, telling her James sent them to look after her. But they have lied and Alec's alarming mood swings brought on by illness threatens Emily's pregnancy and drives the staff away. Soon Emily realizes that the couple mean to kill her and take the house for themselves. With only her loyal maid Jane for support how can she thwart their plan?

Characters & Actors:

• Lydia Wilson as Emily Fox Seton - Main character, she is kind but clever and at the same time a little bit dumb to allow the evil characters to get close to her.  
• Linus Roache as Lord James Walderhurst - He marries Emily, and it's hard to figure him out at first whether he's good or bad. It seems like he could have put more protection in place for his new wife, especially if he knew his relatives were capable of murder. 
• Joanna Lumley as Lady Maria Byrne - Walderhurst's aunt who does not approve of his marriage to her companion who she treats poorly. I think eventually she sees how good Emily is for her nephew.
• James D'Arcy as Captain Alec Osborn - Ugh! I usually really enjoy James D'Arcy in period drama roles but in this one he plays the crazed murdering villain and it's awful! :(  And I hate that this character's name is Alec because I rather like that name. 
• Hasina Haque as Hester Osborn - She's Alec's wife and does exactly what he wants her to do. You kind of want to like her but she follows his murderous schemes so it's rather impossible. 
• Sarah Ridgeway as Jane - Emily's friend who comes to work as her ladies maid and all seems well until even she is beguiled by Alec. 
• Souad Faress as Ameerah - Hester's loyal servant who is also from India. Unfortunately she sides with Alec over Hester in the end and puts Emily's life in danger. She's one creepy person.
• Malcolm Storry  as Mr. Litton - The loyal butler who unfortunately gets killed during the film. There seems like there was a lot more that he could have done to help protect Emily, even before he was found dead.
• Claire Hackett as Mrs. Litton - The cook/housekeeper, again there seemed like she could have alerted the authorities to the murderous plot going on, even if she was afraid for her own life after the death of her husband.

The Long & The Short Of It: The movie starts out weird and turns scary, more of a Victorian era thriller similar to The Woman In White, The Moonstone and The Mystery Of Edwin Drood only slightly worse. It does have a happy ending but I'm not sure it's worth watching the creepiness of the rest of the film. It is a slightly racist story as it makes the Indian characters as the bad guys, giving a rather "they are from a different country so of course they are evil" attitude to the "good" characters. There seems like there could of been a less traumatic way to try and kill Emily at the end, she was in the priest's hole at one point so they could have just sealed up the air holes. Kind of weird that they missed out on that opportunity. I recommend you steer clear of this film at all costs!


Have you seen The Making Of A Lady (2012)?
Anybody know if the book is any good? I'm thinking about trying the audio book. 

Death Comes To Pemberley (2013 Miniseries)

This new murder mystery sequel to Pride and Prejudice aired December 26-28, 2013 on BBC in three episodes. I received the book by P.D. James for Christmas and had hoped to read it first, but the opportunity to view this miniseries proved too tempting to resist! While there is a murder theme and a part of the plot includes and adulterous theme, there is only one scene that is a bit inappropriate. If you decide to watch it on YouTube like I did then I can tell you exactly where in the video the bad scene(s) are. Although not capturing the real P&P in some ways, this was a very fun period drama and is a very hopefully sign that Jane Austen related films will continue to be made! I did really enjoy Death Comes To Pemberley (2013) and it will be added to my DVD collection as soon as it is made available in the USA.

Story: In their six years of marriage, Elizabeth and Darcy have forged a peaceful, happy life for their family at Pemberley, Darcy’s impressive estate. Her father is a regular visitor; her sister Jane and her husband, Bingley, live nearby; the marriage prospects for Darcy’s sister, Georgiana, are favorable. And preparations for their annual autumn ball are proceeding apace. But on the eve of the ball, chaos descends. Lydia Wickham, Elizabeth’s disgraced sister who, with her husband, has been barred from the estate, arrives in a hysterical state—shrieking that Wickham has been murdered. Plunged into frightening mystery and a lurid murder trial, the lives of Pemberley’s owners and servants alike may never be the same.

Costumes: Mostly correct for the Regency time period although older characters like Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine de Bourgh wear older more Georgian styles even though they probably would have long updated their styles  (Mrs. Bennet at least loved new fashions!). Most characters are shown in the same outfits or colors multiple times, even main characters like Elizabeth who always wears teal. There are some lovely gowns though, especially Lydia's red v-neck gown.

Music: Fits moods of scenes - pensive, mysterious, happy, hopeful. There is one English Country Dance but is doesn't last long. Main theme is pretty but not easily identifiable. Music good for a period drama.

Scenery: Pemberley House and the surrounding lands are beautiful and perfect for filming. The house used for the exterior shots at Pemberley is Chatsworth House in Derbyshire just as in Pride & Prejudice (2005) so the outdoor and indoor shots are very lovely and somewhat familiar! A lot of the indoor scenes at Pemberley were shot at Castle Howard in York, England (they have an excellent page that tells which scenes were shot in which rooms!) where a lot of the main rooms run into each other instead of having a central hallway. The room into room conversations are used frequently for overhearing conversations and picking up clues, although it did bug me sometimes but maybe just because Lydia featured in many of those scenes. Also in the miniseries you will find a sweet little cottage, old abbey ruins, mysterious woods, a country village, busy town, a jail, a historic courthouse and a cozy little church! The locations are particularly excellent!

Questionable Scenes: The main inappropriate scene is in Episode Three and is a love making scene between Elizabeth and Darcy. It doesn't last very long and doesn't get R rated as it is mostly kissing and undressing. In the scene that follows a bare chested Darcy and Elizabeth in her undergarments lay in bed and discuss the case. These scenes are not necessary to the miniseries and can be easily skipped. Besides these two scenes there is a mother briefly shown breast feeding her baby. The murder/attack is shown in full toward the end of the miniseries with some slight violence. Besides those there is also themes of adultery, unwed mothers, hanging, blackmail and scandal throughout this miniseries. Although this is a murder mystery it is very tastefully done and inappropriate things are not shown even if they are mentioned.

Historical & Austen Accuracy: There are no drastically different changes from Jane Austen's original novel as the events in Death Comes To Pemberley happen six years after Pride and Prejudice ends. Mary Bennet and her husband are mentioned but Kitty Bennet never is, which is a bit disappointing. A few characters appear harsher or more secretive in the context of this murder mystery than they did in the original book. As far as I have read the story is faithful to Regency law and investigation proceedings. There are a few new characters added and some matches between existing and new characters are a bit unrealistic but they are fun.
One thing that was a bit harder to like was some scenes that flashed back to happenings from Pride and Prejudice; the costumes and hairstyles used in those were more Georgian and they didn't use direct quotes all the time. It was a bit of a miss for me because direct quotes could have easily been used. These scenes are easier to take if you think of them as perhaps the characters' faulty memories of previous events.

Actors & Characters: Many familiar faces! But were they well cast?

--Anna Maxwell Martin as Elizabeth Bennet Darcy - Because this is a more serious themed story there is not as much opportunity for Elizabeth's wit to come out but it does on a few glorious occasions. Her quick opinion, sharp mind and love of walking through mud are very evident. Anna Maxwell Martin is not the Elizabeth we all want but she is such a remarkable actress that she is fascinating to watch on screen and I couldn't help cheering over seeing her finally portray a Jane Austen heroine. Next stop Anne Elliot!

--Matthew Rhys as Fitzwilliam Darcy - Very fatherly and kind, honorable, gentlemanly, noble. But as the same time the murder investigation makes him overprotective of Pemberley and the Darcy reputation. He becomes distant to Elizabeth and the viewer as he slips back into being the prideful and rather secretive Darcy from the beginning of P&P and not the changed, more open Darcy of the novel's end. Matthew Rhys actually looks better as Darcy than I had expected, and is definitely worlds better than the dark and evil Mr. Jasper he was in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012). And this Darcy does smile quite a bit!

--Matthew Goode as George Wickham - A perfect choice for Wickham with his dark good looks and charm but also capturing Wickham's greed and selfishness. Matthew Goode captured Wickham amazingly well and was so believeable that you really do start to hate Wickham all over again. In the story Mr. Wickham is not only accused of murder but a good deal of other misconducts too, the trick is finding out which ones are true! It was great to see this period drama actor in another similar role and one that took a great deal of skill to pull off exceedingly well.

--Jenna Coleman as Lydia Bennet Wickham - Finally, Doctor Who meets Jane Austen! Well, not really but having a Doctor Who companion play an Austen character may be the closest the Whovian-Janeites get. ;)  In a word Jenna Coleman was horrid as Lydia, absolutely horrid! And by horrid I mean that she so perfectly captured Lydia that I found her as absolutely irritating as in P&P! Her pretty looks, annoying voice and total careless attitude to what anyone else thinks were perfect for Elizabeth's wild younger sister. Jenna was perfectly horrid! :)

--Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgiana Darcy - Although not quite as pretty as some might expect, this Georgiana is noble, kind and sweet. She has grown wiser and a bit bolder perhaps but still retains her strength of character. In this story she finds two suitors vying for her hand and a little romance story ensues. She is truly a good friend and help to Elizabeth and Darcy. Her story ends not quite how we Janeites might expect but overall it is a very interesting part of the miniseries.

--Rebecca Front as Mrs. Bennet - She doesn't quite look like Mrs. Bennet, especially as the style she wears are more Georgian in looks, but in all other respects Rebecca Front completely captures Mrs. Bennet. Nervy, gossipy, hypochondriac, selfish, careless of scandal, all these are the Mrs. Bennet we expect and recieve. Like the Lydia and Wickham actors, Rebecca Front is so perfect in her role that you can't help but find her highly irritating!

--James Fleetwood as Mr. Bennet - Wonderful to see this actor in another period drama role but unfortunately he stutters and seems weak next to his wife, instead of being the dry witted critical thinker of the book. There are a few excellent scenes of him enjoying Pemberley's library or joking with Elizabeth, but overall he is too much like Frederick Dorrit and doesn't stand out as boldly as Mr. Bennet should.  

--Tom Ward as Colonel Fitzwilliam - Though noble, kind and gentlemanly this version of Colonel Fitzwilliam is also prideful, aristocratic, abrupt, overprotective and secretive. The portrayal of this character was the biggest fail of the miniseries for me. I really like the friendly, witty, kind, upbeat Colonel Fitzwilliam of the book and while I understand how this very different version fits into this story it was difficult to see him so much changed. Also Tom Ward didn't look much like the Colonel to me. It might have been better to have him be a different Fitzwilliam brother because he certainly wasn't the Colonel from the book.

--Joanna Scanlan as Mrs. Reynolds - She was surprisingly a bit younger looking that would seem right for a the Pemberley housekeeper who is supposed to have known Mr. Darcy since he was born. She keeps the household running quite smoothly and is Elizabeth's right hand woman on every occasion. Mrs. Reynolds is a very likeable character although she could have been a bit more talkative and a bit older.

--Penelope Keith as Lady Catherine de Bourgh - Perfectly aristocratic, haughty and prideful of the family name. Penelope Keith looked and talked the part but she has the uncanny ability to make Elizabeth look a bit childish and Lady Catherine seem to speak complete sense. Given her lines from P&P I think she would have been perfect but here the scene is short and goes by very quickly.

--Tom Canton as Captain Denny - The murder victim and there's some question as to whether he is a good guy or a bad guy. It is interesting to see this character come back from the novel and still be friends with the Wickhams. The actor did a good job of adding life (and death) to a fairly faceless character.

--Alexandra Moen as Jane Bennet Bingley - When Elizabeth needs a little bit of gentle counsel Jane is on hand to give some sisterly advice. She is blond, sweet and sensible but perhaps does not think so well of people as she does in the book. She does help get Lydia and Mrs. Bennet away from Pemberley for a while for which we and Elizabeth both heartily thank her! Mr. Bingley does not make an appearance and little if anything is said of their having any children.

--Trevor Eve as Sir Selwyn Hardcastle - The magistrate and investigator in the case who has some bad feelings toward the Darcy family. He is a rough and rather hard man but he gets to the truth in the end. His character is often disheveled and shows the gritty side of the Regency period.

--James Norton as Henry Alverston - A friend of the Darcy family who is a lawyer and a bit of a radical thinker. Henry's interest in Georgiana is very sweet but it is hard to tell whether he is always acting in the family's best interest.

--Philip Martin Brown as Mr. Bidwell - The proud old coachman who must make way for new younger men to take his place. His family has served the Darcys for generations and he is very disappointed that his son Will is too sick to take his place as coachman.

--Jennifer Hennessey as Mrs. Bidwell - His wife, a kind and gentle woman.

--Lewis Rainer as Will Bidwell - Mr. Bidwell's son who is very ill and nearing his last. Elizabeth visits their cottage to lend Will books like Robinson Crusoe!

--Nichola Burley as Louisa Bidwell - Mr. Bidwell's daughter who is pretty and sweet. She and her mother care for her sister's young son George.

--Kevin Eldon as Doctor McFee - A physician of great courage who besides examining the victim must tend to the hard task of settling Mrs. Bennet's and Lydia's nerves! There are a few rather funny scenes involving him, a very clever actor!

--Little Fitzwilliam Darcy - Darcy and Elizabeth's son who is spirited and all boy. His parents both adore him even though they find themselves at odds from time to time.

--Mariah Gale as Mysterious Lady - A phantom lurks in Pemberley woods - is she the ghost of a disgruntled employee, the murderer's assistant or something worse?

--Stephen Casey as Reverend Oliphant - Local minister who assists the Darcys when scandal threatens their family name. I found him to be quite a funny character but also a brave one as he helps uncover who the true murderer is.

My Thoughts: Although there are a few discrepancies to the original book there are a lot of things that match very well. From the first episode I found myself really enjoying the story and the actors too. It was really a lot of fun to see this world beyond the novel and a story set at Pemberley. I really enjoy mystery stories too so having that type of period drama mystery was quite intriguing! The miniseries reminded me a bit of the Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Baron that I have read and it would be neat to see some of those stories brought to the screen someday. As I said at the beginning of my review a DVD copy of this miniseries will definitely be added to my Jane Austen collection in the future. It was a very well done miniseries and should be enjoyed by all Janeites! I look forward to reading my copy of Death Comes To Pemberley in the near future and finding out what was included and excluded from P.D. James' book.

Recommendations: This miniseries was made for TV but I would give it almost a PG-13 rating but only for the questionable scene and themes mentioned above. There is mild profanity used but no really bad language. I'd recommend Death Comes To Pemberley (2013) to teens and adults who enjoy Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen and murder mysteries. Janeites, you may just love it!


Have you seen Death Comes To Pemberley (2013)? 

Based on my review would you like to watch it if you haven't already? 

P.S. If you plan to watch Death Comes To Pemberley on YouTube I can give you specifics on where the questionable scenes are.

P.P.S. I am organizing some lovely screencaps I downloaded from sns_red_curtain and hope to update this post with a bunch of different pictures including photos of each character!