“North & South” (2004)

North & South

Brief Description:

The love story of Margaret Hale, a middle-class southerner who is forced to move to the northern town of Milton.

Date: 2004

Genre: British television serial historical drama book adaptation

Running time: 3 hours 52 minutes

Cast: 

Daniela Denby-Ashe (Margaret Hale)

Richard Armitage (John Thornton)

Sinéad Cusack (Hannah Thornton)

Brendan Coyle (Nicholas Higgins)

Tim Pigott-Smith (Richard Hale)

Pauline Quirke (Dixon)

Jo Joyner (Fanny Thornton)

Kay Lyon (Mary Higgins)

Tom Charnock (Williams)

William Houston (John Boucher)

Emma Owen (Edith Lennox)

Lesley Manville (Maria Hale)

Anna Maxwell Martin (Bessy Higgins)

Brian Protheroe (Mr. Bell)

Jane Booker (Mrs Shaw)

John Light (Henry Lennox)

Will Tacey (Mr. Latimer)

Lucy Brown (Ann Latimer)

Tim Faraday (Watson)

Rupert Evans (Frederick Hale)

Caroline Pegg (Mrs Boucher)

Travis Oliver (Captain Lennox)

David Crellin (Slickson)

Spencer Wild (Tom Boucher)

Director: Brian Percival

Production company: BBC

Based on: North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Wikipedia page

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

I have heard about this show from several friends in the most glowing terms, and I am so happy I finally watched it, because it's amazing! I loved the book so much and this show complements it so well. I absolutely love the setting and gorgeous outfits; I could watch this over and over to enjoy the background. 💙 

Characters: 5/5

Daniela Denby-Ashe is a perfect Margaret Hale. She's so beautiful and innocent and sweet, and yet so fiery! I never thought of John Thornton as broody, but Richard Armitage plays him so well. Sinéad Cusack makes a most striking Mrs. Thornton; Brendan Coyle is the most charismatic and loveable Nicholas Higgins despite the character's flaws; and Mr. + Mrs. Hale are better than in the book, while Dixon is so sweet. I hated Fanny SO MUCH but the Higgins girls were sweet and so is Mr. Bell!

Plot: 5/5

I honestly don't really remember the plot of North & South but I think this changes the story just a tiny bit. I really don't care, though. It captures the reality of Victorian England well and mixed grief, humour, and sweetness so well. 

Romance: 5/5

While I HATED the misunderstandings and pride that kept them apart so long, the last few minutes of the last episode made up for everything. I never understood why everyone talks about The Hand Flex™️; but the Offering a Hedge Rose when she was grieving the fact that they were missing is The Sweetest Thing Ever and I grinned like a fool over it 💙 this story reminds me of Pride & Prejudice, kind of like a sort of retelling! Also, either this book or Jane Eyre has a very mouthy kiss. I forget which. 

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

Just like the book, there's a lot of great thoughts about the mills and strikes. 

Content: 5/5 (low)

I think there's a few instances of swearing. 

Violence: 4/5 (low)

Mild violence when a mob tries to attack Thornton; a man is found suicided by drowning; mention of children starving.  

Overall: 5/5

This was such a beautiful experience and I love it so, so much 💙