Recently, my wife roped me into watching the series Sanditon with her. We started with episode 2 of the second season, and once that ran its course, we picked up season one from the local library and watched it. Sanditon, the series, is inspired by, and very loosely based, on the unfinished novel of the same name by Jane Austen. Austen started work on writing it shortly before her death, and included her first significant character who is black; Georiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke), an heiress of great wealth. Only the first episode of the first season is adapted from Austen’s incomplete manuscript, the rest is an extension from that point, although some of the foundation Austen laid out is used in later episodes, for instance, Lady Denham’s plotting to get her penniless nephew married off to the exceptionally wealthy (and, according to Austen’s manuscript, young and sickly) Miss Lambe.
Miss Lambe, from the series Sanditon
From that point on, we have no idea what Jane Austen had in mind for the characters going forward, which meant the creative team behind the series had a relatively freehand to develop the plot and the characters further.
Charlotte Heywood and Georgiana Lambe
Not want to give out too many spoilers, but needing to give some background, the story is mainly about Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) and her visit to Sanditon, as she accompanies the Parkers, to their home for an extended visit. The Parkers consist of Tom (Kris Marshall) and his wife, Mary (Kate Ashfield), with their children, brothers Sidney and Arthur, and a sister, Diana. The original text included a second sister who is not included in the series. Also we meet Lady Denham (Anne Reid), the wealthiest woman in Sanditon (at least until the arrival of Miss Lambe who may be moderately wealthier). Other characters include, Sir Edward Denham (Jack Fox) and his step-sister Esther (Charlotte Spencer), both of whom are relatively penniless and dependent on an allowance from Lady Denham, Clara Brereton(Lily Sacofsky), another penniless relative of Lady Denham, the Reverend Hankins, who struck me as a bit odd for a clergyman, James Stringer, Tom Parker’s construction foreman, and several other workmen.
Typical of Jane Austen’s works, there is several attempts at romantic interest for Charlotte, and various family plottings in Lady Denham’s household, as her hanger-ons try to figure out how to gain Lady Denham’s wealth upon her death. Intersting stuff.
Season 2 added an Army battalion encamping near Sanditon, and becomes a source of intrigue, romance, and divisiveness within the community of Sanditon. We are also introduced to several new characters, including some of the officers of the battalion, Charlotte’s sister, Alison, among many others.
Both seasons are delightfully entertaining, and we learn more about Miss Lambe, as well as the many characters, both old and new. Some actors left the series due to other commitments as there was a couple of years between the end of production of the first season and start of production of the second season, and in the case of two principal characters from season 1, the creative team had develop plausible reasons for the lack of two of the characters. Some of the other characters not present from season 1 are left unmentioned in season 2.
Miss Esther Denham
One thing that really struck me is the costuming in the series, especially the costumes of Edith Denham. Many of her costumes are exquisite, and well worth checking out. One reason costuming stands out to me is that I have many friends who are costumers and a few of them could pull off some these outfits and do them justice.
Early on in the first season we are introduced to Bathing Machines, and my first thought on the introduction of these devices was – What the heck are these things. The episode did show how they were used, and it was an interesting lesson in history and early 19th century society. In short, these were carriages that had an enclosed cabin where people (and yes, they were segregated by sex) could change into their bathing suits, the carriages rolled out into the water, and the occupants would then exit the machine and enjoy their time in the water.
A beach scene, with the bathing machines in the background
The series has been made with high production values, good scripting, excellent performances by the cast, beautiful cinematography, art direction and set design, with a bit of Regency Dancing choreography thrown in, as well as an exciting chase scene by carriage. If you haven’t seen it, then please consider giving it a look, especially if you enjoy period dramas and the works of Jane Austen.
Thanks for stopping by.