Review: Death Comes to Pemberley

Image from Telegraph

Being an English literature fan/freak, when Death Comes to Pemberley was advertised on BBC1, I hoped my Austen drama craving would be satisfied. 

Although I am yet to read the novel by P.D. James, I've read Pride and Prejudice too many times which always leaves you needing to know more. Some critics did pick up on the murder-mystery theme not entirely in keeping with Austen, but it did work well in showing how the characters had progressed in their lives. Showing Darcy and Lizzie happily married with a child and everyone else all content and stress free, until Wickham comes in to, basically, cause a whole load of drama. Not intentional though (he didn't actually murder his friend in the end) but as usual, when Wickham is involved, the drama follows him.

At this point, you begin to realise how well picked the cast is. Sticking truly to Austen's characters, Mrs Bennet and Lydia were as hysterical and dramatic as ever, Lizzie was her witty self and Darcy, his smouldering personality, although he had soften since. 

We did manage to guess who the murder was (I won't say who in case some people haven't watched it yet!), almost straight after the first episode or so. But it was a clever and interwoven story. Of course the 1995 TV version still holds itself, Colin Firth in a wet shirt anyone?! I did slightly prefer that 1995 Lizzie, just because she was a bit more wittier and her personality was closer to the novel.

Overall, I'd probably give it a 8 out of 10. Casting was very well done and the murder mystery theme did mix things up a bit and it has satisfy my need to know more now!

Did you watch it? What did you think of it?

Rhiannon xxx