captivating

As the nights start to draw in even earlier leading up to Christmas, TV viewers will be looking for sumptuous dramas to get lost in

ITVX is presently broadcasting a popular period drama featuring a British ruler that’s ideal for a comfortable binge-watch throughout the lengthy winter nights.

With darkness falling increasingly early in the run-up to Christmas, television enthusiasts will be seeking lavish dramas to lose themselves in.

Viewers need look no further than ITV’s digital streaming platform, which boasts an extensive range of celebrated programmes to select from.

Among the finest choices available this winter is the successful series Victoria, which launched in 2016 and featured Doctor Who’s Jenna Coleman as the youthful sovereign, charting her journey from defiant adolescent years through to responsible adulthood over three captivating seasons.

Whilst critics have targeted the programme’s shortage of historical precision, it’s undeniable that the series crafted by Daisy Goodwin provides tremendous entertainment that’s ready for exploration, or potentially a second viewing, reports the Express.

The Guardian’s favourable critique captured the essence: “As ever, it all hinges on Jenna Coleman’s performance as Victoria and her ability to conjure up a portrait of this queen as understanding, sympathetic, kind and decent, even under unimaginable and possibly imaginary pressures.

“It might not be elegant and it might not survive the strain of putting its plot points to the search engine test, but as diverting drama it gets the job done.”

An enthusiastic review from an IMDb viewer declared: “Rather captivating, I loved it. Every inch a Queen.

“I love [Coleman’s] portrayal of Victoria, she has some presence and a definite strength of character. Rufus Sewell I thought was exceptional as Lord Melbourne too, the complex relationship the pair had in real life was explained very well.

“The settings, costumes, and general production values were first rate, the show felt incredibly plush and lavish, I shudder to think of the budget for this series. Totally engaging, this was first rate viewing 9/10.”

Sadly, the series left many fans feeling let down when it was cancelled after just three seasons, leaving Queen Victoria’s story incomplete.

However, ITV gave a glimmer of hope in 2021, stating “there are no plans presently to film Victoria, but that’s not to say we won’t revisit the series with the production team at a later date”, hinting that a fourth season featuring an older Victoria might eventually be on the cards.

One hopeful fan penned: “This has been the most amazing series since Downton Abbey I have watched. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. I felt every emotion humanly possible through watching it.

“My mother and I binge watched it together and couldn’t believe how much it draws you in from beginning to end. I am so heartbroken that it has not yet come out with a 4th season. My mother and I both are. We pray they decide to release another season.

“I plead to ITV or whoever, to please give the green light for the 4th season and then some. This is an amazing love story that NEEDS to be completed.”

There’s a glimmer of hope for the series to carry on if enough viewers rewatch the series on ITVX, so it’s time to start binge-watching.

Victoria is available to stream on ITVX.

The period drama series is a hidden gem worth watching

Are you a die-hard fan of Jane Austen adaptations but think you’ve seen them all? Think again, because there’s one gem that might have escaped your notice.

Airing back in 2008 on ITV, this four-part limited series offers a unique twist on the classic Pride and Prejudice tale, reports the Express.

Armchair critics and fans on IMDb have been heaping praise on the miniseries. One user left a glowing 10/10 rating, saying: “I am utterly captivated by this refreshing take on Austen. I used to love romantic periodical novels when much younger, but they have since fallen out of favour with me, as they are all so alike. Here I am quite unaware, as of yet, what may happen and I absolutely adore the suspense.

“The actors are well chosen for their task and I am quickly falling in love with them one by one. I never thought I would see Mr Bingley as adorable, but in this it is quite so.”

Another enthusiast gave a perfect score too, commenting: “Three episodes in and I feel now is the time to say a big well done to all concerned. As a long time Austen lover and a fan of period/costume drama I was unsure what to expect from this reworking of a favourite story.”

“As others have commented this bears similarities with ‘Life on Mars’, a person taken out of modern day life and deposited into the past, albeit Jane Austen’s fictitious one.”

Meanwhile, another viewer remarked: “The mini series was absolutely sweet and funny and it will be appreciated by real Jane Austen fanatics.

“It does resemble the weirdest dream that only authors of fan fiction have had. At times the plot lines turn into silly situations but for most of the time they are quite enjoyable.

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“The young actors make the most of it. I wish response has been better so that the series can be longer.”

A fourth viewer rated the programme a perfect 10/10, dubbing their review “Brilliant!”.

They penned: “I just watched the whole thing. I hadn’t even realized it was a mini-series, I simply got the DVD from netflix and popped it in. It didn’t offer me the option to select episodes, it just played the whole thing as one big movie.

“One big, wonderful, delightful film! I haven’t enjoyed a film this much in years. It was a complete treat. I love Pride & Prejudice; I’ve read the book, and seen most (maybe all? ) of the screen adaptations, some multiple times.

“And I’m usually a bit of a purist, but I thought this might be fun, so I gave it a try. It well exceeded my expectations. I’m still aglow with enjoyment [sic].”

Lost in Austen is a cheeky homage to the celebrated author and her best-known novel Pride and Prejudice.

The show trails self-confessed Jane Austen enthusiast Amanda Price (portrayed by Jemima Rooper) residing in modern London during the Noughties.

After a less than impressive proposal from her boyfriend, involving a makeshift wedding ring made from a can ring pull, Amanda finds herself mysteriously swapping places with Elizabeth Bennet (Gemma Arterton) and landing in the world of Pride and Prejudice through a door in her bathroom.

Amanda’s sudden arrival quickly throws the novel’s events into chaos, as she frantically tries to steer the plot back on track.

During Amanda’s escapades, she encounters Mr Darcy (Elliot Cowan), with the pair initially butting heads before sparks begin to fly.

Lost In Austen boasts a star-studded cast, including Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville as Mr Bennet, Doctor Who’s Alex Kingston as Mrs Bennet, Grantchester’s Morven Christie as Jane Bennet, Suits actress Christina Cole as Caroline Bingley, and Tom Mison from Apple TV+’s See as Mr Bingley, among others.

Additional casting includes Lindsay Duncan as Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Guy Henry as Mr. William Collins, Michelle Duncan as Charlotte Lucas, Ruby Bentall as Mary Bennet, Pippa Haywood as Frankie, Amanda’s mother, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Pirhana, Amanda’s friend, Daniel Percival as Michael Dolan, Amanda’s boyfriend, and Genevieve Gaunt as Georgiana Darcy.

Lost in Austen is available to stream on Prime Video now

It first aired in 2019 and ran for four seasons before being cancelled.

ITV has subtly added all four series of a beloved mystery drama to its streaming platform. Roswell, New Mexico, originally broadcast on The CW from 2019 to 2002.

The show is a reboot of the 1999 version, inspired by the Roswell High book series penned by Melinda Metz.

Featuring Jeanine Mason, Nathan Dean and Michael Vlamis, the plot centres around Liz, the daughter of undocumented immigrants, who returns to her hometown of Roswell in New Mexico a decade after her older sister’s death, only to uncover a startling secret about her teenage sweetheart, Max.

It transpires that he is an alien who has been concealing his supernatural abilities and true identity for years.

As Liz and Max rekindle their relationship, she strives to safeguard his secret. However, when a violent incident suggests there are more aliens on Earth, his concealed identity becomes jeopardised, reports Devon Live.

“The politics of fear and hatred that run rampant in Roswell threaten to expose Max and his family and could endanger his deepening romance with Liz…as well as their lives,” the synopsis hints.

In addition to Grey’s Anatomy star Jeanine and General Hospital actor Nathan, the cast boasts Lily Cowles, Tyler Blackburn, Heather Hemmens and Michael Trevino.

Fans have been singing the praises of the series since its initial airing.

A viewer was effusive in their praise, saying: “This tv series is worth your time no matter who you are. Roswell New Mexico is my ultimate favourite tv show without doubt. From the excellent direction to captivating storyline. This tv series deserves more appreciation. its authenticity makes it even more enticing to watch.”

Another confessed their adoration for the show, remarking: “I love this show! Modern, smart, great at dodging some of the more cliché tropes-also has some really great acting.”

In a spirited review, a third fan declared: “This generates the adrenaline.. It felt like I had permanent goosebumps the entire show! I just love how every character has a role and has a part to play and is important.. This series has a good unpredictable plot. This show is VERY UNDERRATED.”

While Roswell, New Mexico got the chop from The CW, the finale gave fans closure, serving as a dignified farewell not originally planned.

Showrunner Chris Hollier shared with EW the ambitions laid to rest due to the cancellation: “This [finale] was intended to help launch us to a nice wrap-up of season five. More craziness would’ve followed.”

He discussed what might have been, including time leaps towards a “legacy ending”: “What does it mean when you start to find the people that you want to be with? How do you actually go and generate your own happy ever after? I loved where we were going to take those characters.”

Hollier revealed tantalising glimpses into a future that will never be aired: “We were talking about setting the ending multiple years in the future. It would’ve been another wrap-up with where all of our couples were.”

Roswell, New Mexico is available to watch on ITVX.