‘Sanditon’: Theo James & Rose Williams on Their Characters’ Undeniable Chemistry

Kate Hahn January 24, 2020, 12:00 pm

Fight or flirt? It can go either way on the PBS drama Sanditon — adapted from Jane Austen’s 1817 unfinished final novel — whenever saucy country girl Charlotte Heywood and worldly snob Sidney Parker (Rose Williams and Theo James) meet.

She’s opinionated. He has a mean streak. But they have chemistry. And they can’t avoid each other: She’s the houseguest of his older brother, Tom (Kris Marshall), who’s hopeful that Sidney’s cash and connections can turn the seaside backwater of Sanditon into a resort town.

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“[At first] Sidney thinks Charlotte is obnoxious, ignorant, unsophisticated,” says Williams, who loved shooting ballroom scenes such as the couple’s first dance in the January 12 premiere. “He comes to know she is very capable and wise.”

In the January 19 episode, Charlotte helped set a workman’s broken leg, prompting Sidney to suggest they may have “gotten each other wrong.” It takes a lot to impress a British gentleman — especially an aloof one still scarred by a past romance.

(Credit: Courtesy of Photographer: Simon Ridgway/© Red Planet Pictures / ITV 2019)

“He’s a bit of a broken person,” says James, who early in the production distanced himself from his onscreen love interest to help maintain that feeling of awkwardness while their characters get to know each other.

As more is revealed, Williams adds, the pair will draw closer: “They sense that there’s something deeper about each other, which is why they can’t seem to stay away.”

Sanditon, Sundays, 9/8c, PBS(check local listings at pbs.org)

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2019–2023

TV14

Historical drama

Romance

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OliveBullhorn
Jan 24, 2020
#sanditonsisterhood #Sanditon pbs

We are praying for another season of our beloved Sanditon. The chemistry between Sidney and Charlotte is what we all hopeless romantic dream if and we simply cannot accept their story ending as it did in episode 8.

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OrangeScissors
Jan 24, 2020
What an Amazing Series’s definitely needs a second season to give Jane Austen’s memory a happy Ending! Undeniable Chemistry between Sidney n Charlotte! Fabulous witty humour, best period drama yet

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PurpleAnchor
Jan 24, 2020
Amazing chemistry, hope to see them again in season 2 ❤️

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OliveRadio
Jan 29, 2020
SEASON 2!!!! SEASON 2!!!! SEASON 2!!!!

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GreenApple
Jan 27, 2020
WE MUST HAVE A SECOND SEASON!! This cannot be the end of Sidney and Charlotte!!

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OrangeWeights
Feb 19, 2020
Yes yes yes!!!!!!!

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OliveBullhorn
Mar 16, 2020
I had not seen any previews or advertising about Sanditon, I just happened upon it. After the second episode I was hooked, and it only got better and better!! The final episode sets up for a whole new exciting season.

The writing, storyline and characters are multifaceted and intriguing. Charlotte and Sidney are particularly captivating

as their love/hate relationship turns into something else!

The actors playing Charlotte and Sidney are so believable - GOOD STUFF!!!

I put it up there with Poldark and Downton Abbey, and that's saying something!!!

PLEASE BRING ON "Sanditon" - SEASON TWO!!!

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BlueHelmet
Feb 24, 2020
Please, please give us a Season two!! 🙏🏼

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Blue8Ball
Mar 20, 2020
Have already signed three petitions We must have another season HAve been reviewing series and fascinating to watch the growing love and respect between Charlotte and sydney THeo James transition from gruff and snobbish city man into a loving and caring and intuitive man is fantastic Who do we contact to push for a season 2?

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OliveFan
Mar 16, 2020
We need another season!! Please please renew!!

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