Why The BBC Period Drama ‘North & South’ Matters

Before Richard Armitage became a Hollywood star in films like The Hobbit and Ocean’s Eight, he played the brooding Romantic Hero, John Thornton in BBC’s period drama North & South (2004) based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s 1855 classic novel.

And while the swoony leading man gives Colin Firth a run for his money in the heartthrob department, his character’s popularity has stayed in costume drama cult status rather than mainstream.

So, as BBC’s North & South celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, it’s time we pay respect to this little period drama that could.

North & South (BBC) Exceeded Expectations

When the drama first premiered, the BBC had low expectations. So, it was a shock when, on the same day, the program’s message board crashed the website because of the number of visitors.

The adaptation follows Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe), a young woman from southern England who moves to Milton (fictional town based on Manchester) when her father leaves the clergy over a matter of conscience.

The Story of North & South

Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South first appeared in Charles Dickens’ magazine, Household Words, in serialized weekly episodes from 1854 to 1855.

A Fascinating History Fraught with Literary Gossip

After a long, grueling casting process, the production team cast the relatively unknown actors Daniela Denby-Ashe and Richard Armitage as the leads in the 2004 adaptation.

An Ensemble to Remember

The Modern Period Drama

The romantic drama premiered on November 14, 2004, on the BBC.

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