Roush Review: You’ll Want More of ‘Sanditon’s Quintessential Austen Heroine
Review
You want pride? And some aggravating prejudice? Masterpiece knows just what the Jane Austen fan desires, having exhausted the beloved author’s canon (adapting some titles more than once).
With the eight-part (you’ll want more) romantic drama Sanditon, the PBS staple tackles Austen’s last novel, for which she wrote only 11 chapters before dying in 1817. Luckily, the prolific Andrew Davies has the witty sense and sensibility to carry the story forward, concocting a delightful diversion that feels to her manner born.
Charlotte Heywood (the effervescent Rose Williams) is a quintessential Austen heroine, a plucky farmer’s daughter introduced to a wider world of passionate intrigue when invited to the title seaside town. She’s taken under the wing of the family of Tom Parker (Kris Marshall), a reckless dreamer who’s heavily invested in turning Sanditon into a fashionable resort where sea bathing is the rage — for men, we’re talking skinny-dipping.
Instantly beguiled by a colorful community of knaves and fools in a society where most relationships are calculated and transactional, Charlotte charms nearly everyone — even the cantankerous dowager Lady Denham (the appallingly amusing Anne Reid), whose money everyone covets. But Charlotte’s outspoken nature quickly alienates Tom’s aloof, arrogant and, inevitably, to-swoon-for brother, Sidney (a seductively soulful Theo James). This dashing Darcy by another name comes to town as guardian to exotic West Indian heiress Miss Lambe (Crystal Clarke), who finds a kindred spirit in the willful, restless Charlotte.
(Courtesy of © Red Planet Pictures / ITV 2019)
Issues of class and race factor into Sanditon‘s bustling subplots, adding a flourish of Dickensian realism to the high romance. And things take a decidedly dark turn in the sordid triangle of Lady Denham’s avaricious nephew, Edward (Jack Fox); his waspish and lusty stepsister, Esther (a riveting Charlotte Spencer); and Lady D’s impoverished but hardly innocent ward, Clara (Lily Sacofsky).
Throughout, events contrive to bring Charlotte and Sidney together: in a medical crisis, at a cricket match and, of course, whenever there’s an elegant ball. A bittersweet ending suggests there’s more story that could be told, but for now, that’s all she (and especially Davies) wrote.
Sanditon, Series Premiere, Sunday, January 12, 9/8c, PBS (check your local listings at pbs.org)
Rose Williams
Anne Reid
Kris Marshall
Kate Ashfield
Jack Fox
Charlotte Spencer
Crystal Clarke
Lily Sacofsky
Turlough Convery
Alexandra Roach
Mark Stanley
Matthew Needham
Elizabeth Berrington
Kayleigh-Paige Rees
Adrian Rawlins
Sarah Belcher
Mollie Holder
Tom Weston-Jones
Frank Blake
Maxim Ays
Eloise Webb
Flora Mitchell
Ben Lloyd-Hughes
Alexander Vlahos
Rosie Graham
⨁Full Cast & Crew
Conversation37 Comments
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P
It's an addictive show, hope it gets a season 2
45
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O
I got to watch the first four episodes a couple months ago, as part of a viewer survey panel for PBS/WGBH. I absolutely loved it! From following along with the coverage when this aired in the UK, I know the production was making plans for a second season. Hopefully this will be popular enough here in the US that a second series can be made.
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O
The show is very captivating. Hoping for season 2
15
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O
This is an amazing work that flushes out Jane's work and characters to the max. Everything about this production is beyond top notch. Except the ending. Jane stated that everyone in her books should always get what they wanted. She felt particularly strong about her lead male and female characters having a happy ending. Season 2 is needed to giver her last work the respect it could receive. Respect for her. Everyone involved would have exactly the background and knowledge to assure that would happen in the greatest respect. Do not leave the fans of this piece in sorrow and anger nor her creations and characters unfulfilled. Highly recommend this series. Perhaps the best Austin interpretation ever in my opinion.
14 1
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O
A wonderful adaptation and a second season is a must! Charlotte and Sidney have to have their happy ending
12
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O
Would love a second series. Too much left hanging.
10
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O
Oh my gosh!!.loved!! every moment of Sanditon...how can you not have a second - third or forth season of Sanditon..what an amazing series..Please bring back Sanditon...USA fan..
8
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O
Yes a second season if Sanditon would be lovely 😊 I am reading the book now
8
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O
Sanditon was a wonderful series, please bring more seasons where we can see a better and fair ending for Sidney and Charlotte.
7
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O
I hope there is another season as well. It was so good and of course we all want a different ending.
7
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C
I have watched this wonderful show from the beginning and looked forward each week to seeing what happens next. I’m very disappointed however that there may not be any more of it. The ending was unsatisfactory; there was no closure. Please bring it back!!
5
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C
Hope there is a Season 2 because I just finished watching Episode 8....that truly kinda sucked!
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R
Yes, another season, please. The final episode has not aired in the US yet, but I'm well aware of the very unsatisfactory ending. Even if the ending was to my liking, I would have loved another season. However, given the terrible ending, a second season is unquestionably necessary.
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R
Oh, please! Season 2 is a must! Charlotte and Sidney deserve a happy ending! So do we! There is a facebook group called Sanditon Sisters. It covers all age groups and people from around the world. We are really pulling for this wonderful Jane Austen romance!
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C
Please1 We need a better ending to this love story.
4
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R
I LOVE Sanditon!!! Please Please continue the series!!!
4
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P
They really can't leave it like that. We need another season please!
4
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R
Please make a second season of Sanditon!! I love this Jane Austen series! It is wonderful!!!
4
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G
Reading the book as I don't want Sanditon to end. Haven't seen finale yet but I am prepared for disappointment and hope for a season 2. Introducing as many people as I can to it!
4
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O
I hated the ending. I was floored. I actually rolled my eyes. Yes need season 2🤔. 😁
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C
I agree with you 100%. As a young viewer, I cherished Pride and Prejudice in the mid 90's, next Emma with Romola Garai became my favorite, but Sanditon is absolutely great!
3
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C
I have joined two protests, and tweeted Davies, Theo James (at Untapped), Masterpiece, Red Planet Prod, and even ITV (which I don't get in Vegas, but they were the most likely to float Season 2). I'd be embarrassed to tell you how many times I watched this. I just love everything about it. How can we get it to continue?
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C
I believe Sanditon could go on for several seasons. There are so many stories within the eight episodes. Please, please let Sandition rise from the ashes. Craftlady 4
3
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R
I would love a season 2!
3
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O
I love Saditon. I absolutely love Charlotte & Sydney . There must be a season two.
3
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C
I, like so many others, was totally shocked at the conclusion of episode 8, which left so many loose ends and plots to explore, especially the abrupt (and hopefully not permanent) end to the budding romance between Charlotte and Sydney. The continuation of this series is a must.
3
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B
Love the show, hate the end, they need to bring season 2
3
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G
I truly hope there will be a second season of Sanditon! I enjoyed the storylines and characters so much!
2
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G
U just can’t leave an ending like that. It’s not fair to Jane Austen or me!
2
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B
No season 2. The conclusion of season 1 so disappointing. Not what Jane Austin would have written
2
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C
Yes, I have joined the two protests and am now ready to boycott the new PBS show. Still, I think ITV thought about bringing season 2 and we don't get ITV in Vegas.
1
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C
Episode 8 was beautiful until Sidney didn't get a chance to propose, and then gave up his happiness for the success of the town. We need a season 2.
1
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C
Sandition was fantastic. The cast, dialogue and scenery were wonderful. I haven't seen anything so good in years. Please get us a Season 2. The story ended in mid stream with both characters taken off stride. How unkind to present viewers with a show they love and then cut it off. This has to be the crowning achievement of the great career of Andrew Davies.
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C
This show was not renewed.
2 1
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O
It wasn't renewed by ITV in the UK. But if it's popular here in the US, there's a chance PBS/WGBH might consider a follow-up movie or series.
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R
I enjoyed the show tremendously and was terribly upset with the ending as well. In honoring Jane Austin the second season hopefully will continue and we will finally see a happy ending. With the world in such turmoil, a Happy ending with a lovely romance would be much appreciated!
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C
Recent word does not look good for a Season 2 in the U.S. I wonder what the ratings were.....and what is expected for a popular PBS show.
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