iPlayer

‘Masterpiece’ period drama adapted from epic novel quietly added to BBC iPlayer

The period drama has now been split into four parts for the free streaming service.

A “masterpiece” period drama split into four parts is free to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The Count of Monte Cristo is a 2024 film based on the 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas.

Starring Pierre Niney as Edmond Dantes, the tale follows the young sailor falsely imprisoned for treason on his wedding day.

Escaping more than a decade later from the fortress he is imprisoned in, he transforms into a wealthy Count and builds a new life under the fake identity.

Behind the mask, he sets out to get his revenge on those who betrayed him.

The synopsis reads: “Falsely accused, imprisoned for 15 years – now he’s out for revenge on those who wronged him. An epic drama of betrayal, love and vengeance starring Pierre Niney.”

The 2024 film has been split into four parts for BBC iPlayer after becoming a huge hit when it first premiered.

One fan hailed it an “excellent adaptation from the beautiful novel, with another calling it “absolutely terrific”.

One viewer branded it a “masterpiece”, while someone else said: “I truly loved this movie and I am not an avid movie watcher, easily one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.”

“A dream come true for Monte Cristo fans,” one said, as another review was titled “Absolutely stunning”.

“Go out of your way to see this one,” one viewer advised, while someone else called it “unmissible”. They continued: “I was absolutely captivated by the film from start to finish. Every moment kept me on the edge of my seat, and I wasn’t bored for a single second.”

“A gorgeous modern production of timeless epic,” another person said, while one fan called it “spectacular”.

Despite the widespread praise, French actor Pierre Niney previously admitted he was “pessimistic” about the project at the start.

He told Forbes: “I remember thinking ‘It’s not going to be made, they’re not going to find the money’. It would take people crazy enough to embark on a 1200 pages book to make one movie.

“So I was pessimistic at the start, thinking it was too good to be true. And actually it’s even better than what I had imagined, so it will stay engraved in my memory forever.”

The Count of Monte Cristo is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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Netflix fans ‘screaming’ over first trailer for ‘excellent’ murder mystery show’s return

A smash-hit crime drama returning to Netflix and BBC later this month has just dropped an electrifying new trailer

Netflix and BBC viewers are ecstatic after getting their first look at one of the most highly anticipated returning shows of 2026.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, based on the series of books by Holly Jackson, first premiered on iPlayer and BBC Three in July 2024 and was later released to Netflix.

Now, fans of the series, which was once again filmed in Bristol and Somerset, will be able to stream the thrilling second season on either service from Wednesday, 27th May.

Ahead of the long-awaited premiere, a new trailer has been released teasing another gripping mystery for amateur sleuth Pip Fitz-Amobi (played by Emma Myers) to unravel.

Season two picks up with Pip and Ravi (Zain Iqbal) after cracking the case of missing student Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies) as Max Hastings (Henry Ashton) prepares for his trial.

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However, while Pip is desperate to go back to her quiet life in Little Kilton, Connor’s (Jude Morgan-Collie) older brother, Jamie (Eden H Davies), a key witness in Max’s case, suddenly goes missing.

A synopsis for the six-part follow-up teases: “With the clock ticking and the stakes higher than ever, Pip and the group are thrust into a desperate, heart-pounding race to find him before it’s too late.

“As the search intensifies, Pip is pushed to her absolute limit, forced to face a terrifying reality, will she be able to save Jamie in time?”

Author Jackson is helming the adaptation this time along with showrunner Poppy Cogan, taking inspiration from the second novel in the bestselling series, Good Girl, Bad Blood.

This time around, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder will include newcomers such as Davies as Jamie, along with Misia Butler (KAOS) and Jack Rowan (Noughts + Crosses).

Fans were thrilled to get a more extensive look at the second series, which previews another high-stakes missing person investigation along with more drama between Pip and her friends and a reckoning for her vile nemesis, Max.

Audiences have described the series as “excellent”, a “fantastic adaptation”, and so “incredible” they “binged it in a day” in rave reviews on IMDb.

The new trailer for season two is also getting an enthusiastic response from fans on social media. One YouTube user exclaimed, “IM SOOO EXCITED!!!” and another commented, “WE’RE SO BACK”.

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Reactions continued on X, where one fan said: “When I tell you I screamed I screamed oh my god pip is back.”

“May 27 is already circled on my calendar. Pip is back and I am so ready,” someone else said.

And a final viewer declared: “PIP IS BACK ON SCREEN I JUST SAT UP AND CHEERED OMG.” Make sure you clear your calendar for the return of this addictive mystery drama coming in just a few weeks’ time.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder season 2 premieres Wednesday, 27th May on BBC iPlayer, BBC Three and Netflix.

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Gripping BBC crime thriller you won’t be able to turn off is the ‘best thing on TV’

If you’re looking for something binge-worthy to watch right now, look no further than this “brilliant” series that is “excellent from start to finish”.

After nearly four years of anticipation, The Capture has made a return to screens last month, bringing back the highly praised BBC conspiracy thriller drama for its third season. The show, created by Ben Chanan, features Holliday Grainger as Rachel Carey, an inspector who has climbed the ranks.

As the third season begins, Rachel has taken on the role of acting commander of Counter Terrorism Command.

The latest storyline depicts her efforts to restore public confidence through a new surveillance system, but it quickly faces scrutiny when Rachel becomes involved in a terrorist act in London.

The description for the third series reads: “How do you protect the truth in a world where lies are daily currency? And with the proliferation of deepfakes, how can we trust what we see?”

The series has been praised with an impressive approval rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and eight out of 10 on IMDb. Many viewers too

Many viewers took to IMDb to share their love for the “mind-blowing” drama. One user said: “Six parts of complex, intriguing and baffling drama.

“This isn’t your average six-part mystery series, this will have you scratching your head, questioning everything you see, and doubting the things you’ve seen with your own eyes. It’s excellent from start to finish.”

Another wrote, “A strong and solid storyline and sequence of scenes and events form the basis of edge-of-seat thriller. Oh my, how a simple camera footage can be the root of gripping thriller!

“No fancy gimmicks, dialogues, shoot-out scenes, computer coding thingies, CGI scenes and whatnot. It’s all about how the storyline is delivered. It’s delivered to perfection!”

A third commented: “Wow, the whole series keeps you on your toes; big twist, truly amazing. A very cleverly written piece of drama, the best thing on current TV.”

A fourth said: “One of the best BBC shows ever! Great script, loving the twists and turns! Haven’t watched something this gripping in a long time; it’s really pushing the boundaries.”

All three series that consist of 18 episodes are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

It’s unclear yet whether there will be a fourth season of The Capture, but Ben told Radio Times: “I’d think to myself, as I was writing it, ‘this is going to be the last series’, Now, is that true? I don’t know.

“Never say never, right? But I think it’s really healthy to just write each series as if it’s going to be the last, that you’re not just hanging on to people for the sake of it.”

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The Other Bennet Sister fans need to binge this Jane Austen period drama on BBC iPlayer

Fans of The Other Bennet Sister looking for their next period drama fix should watch the BBC’s gripping sequel to Pride and Prejudice available on iPlayer

The Other Bennet Sister has made a significant impression on period drama fans but as they complete the first and only season, they’re desperately searching for another Jane Austen tale.

Within the same universe Austen crafted, they can opt to watch Death Comes to Pemberley, a narrative that begins exactly where Pride and Prejudice concluded.

Much like the 2026 series, The Other Bennet Sister, this 2013 standalone series is also a follow-on from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, penned by a different author.

It’s adapted from P.D. James’s 2011 novel, which employs the same characters and style of the original 1813 work.

Over three episodes, it pursues a murder mystery angle, featuring the characters that Austen devotees recognise and adore but in a somewhat different setting.

The Guardian said its production was “respectful” of Austen’s iconic work while managing to “stand out” and be its own “very different” entity.

Though it also shares similarities with the Pride and Prejudice adaptation, as Chatsworth House in Derbyshire served as the exterior location for Pemberley. This was the identical setting used for the estate in the 2005 film.

A viewer headed to IMDB to post their assessment of Death Comes to Pemberley, stating: “If you are like me and enjoy your Pride and Prejudice and a good murder plot, then you would love this series!”

They continued: “Elisabeth in particular is just like I would have imagined; she is the same spirited, outspoken person we know and love, while Darcy is more brooding, quiet and responsible (while I may have chosen other actors in terms of appearance, I think they portray the characters very well as reactions).”

A PopMatters critic also weighed in, writing: “Death Comes to Pemberley, a sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by P.D. James, is a worthy addition to Austen’s original, and the BBC adaptation makes that case wonderfully.”

Set in 1803, the drama kicks off six years after the wedding of Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, when a mysterious disappearance unsettles the entire community. Wickham and Denny quarrel before departing in a horse and carriage, and shortly afterwards, two gunshots ring out.

Upon being informed of the incident and the two men’s disappearance, Darcy dispatches a search party. They find Wickham frantically clutching Denny’s lifeless body, setting in motion the tale of how this devastating death came about.

Naturally, venturing into Austen’s world carries considerable weight, as the cherished author’s work is regarded as sacred by legions of devoted fans.

As a result, the series has faced its fair share of criticism over its depiction of certain Austen characters which have since been reimagined by other writers.

One critical IMDB reviewer wrote: “When you use well-known and loved characters from something as famous as Pride and Prejudice, they should at least stay faithful to their original characters. Which it does, mostly, but the portrayal of Elizabeth Bennett was just really off.”

Anna Maxwell Martin takes on the role of Elizabeth, alongside Matthew Rhys as Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jenna Coleman as Lydia Wickham and Matthew Goode as George Wickham.

For those seeking their next Austen-inspired drama, this compact three-episode series makes for an ideal binge-watch; Death Comes to Pemberley is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Period drama leaving BBC iPlayer is ‘one of the most beautiful movies ever made’

The movie is beloved by viewers and critics with a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes

A historical post-war film has been hailed as “one of the most beautiful movies ever made.” This film follows a young Irish woman who is torn between two worlds in the 1950s. Critics and audiences alike have praised its emotional precision and timeless appeal.

Boasting an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, Brooklyn (2015) is the perfect weekend watch. It is now available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer. However, viewers only have 19 days left to catch the film.

In the 1950s, young Irishwoman Eilis Lace (played by Saoirse Ronan) leaves her small hometown for a new life in Brooklyn, drawn by the promise of opportunity in America.

Though she initially struggles with homesickness, she gradually adapts. Eilis eventually falls in love in Brooklyn, and embraces her independence.

However, a sudden family emergency calls her back to Ireland, where she becomes entangled once again in the life she left behind.

Caught between her past and her future, Eilis must choose between two countries and the very different lives each offers.

Reviews

“In short, Brooklyn is one of the very best films of the past decade and worth looking back on,” wrote Dave Giannini for InSession Film.

Giving the film a five out of five, Don Shanahan from Film Obsessive shared: “Brooklyn is a forthright, approachable, and esteemed historical drama where the dignity and honesty soar to heavenly heights to shine on the plights of love and independence.”

Audience members also raved about this film. One said: “Beautiful story. One of the best movies. Moving.” Another added: “Beautiful classic in every sense of the word. Outstanding performances. Atmospheric joy. Don’t miss it.”

A third wrote: “It’s a masterpiece, and profoundly moving, especially if you’re an immigrant yourself. The closing is one of the most beautiful romantic scenes ever. In my opinion.”

Lastly, someone said: ” One of the most beautiful movies ever made. Colours, music, and reticence punctuate throughout. I have watched the scene in the dining room of the church 7,351,212 times.

“The man sings, the actress recognises brilliance amidst shuffles and anonymity, and then the director cuts to her chaperone listening to a radio. So god**** brilliant.”

You can now watch Brooklyn on BBC iPlayer by clicking here.

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