Watch Catherine Cookson's A Dinner of Herbs

Catherine Cookson's A Dinner of Herbs is a captivating drama series available on BritBox. Starring renowned actors Tom Goodman-Hill and Jonathan Kerrigan, the show is based on Catherine Cookson's novel of the same name. Set in the 19th century Northumberland, England, the series revolves around the lives of the people living in a small village.

In this rural community, we meet four young friends who grew up together and were separated when they became adults. The story starts with Gabriel (Tom Goodman-Hill), returning home to his village to attend the funeral of his father, who he had not seen in over a decade. Upon his return, he is greeted by his childhood friend, Joshua (Jonathan Kerrigan), who is now the village doctor. The two friends quickly catch up on old times, and it becomes apparent that Gabriel's father had a dark past that he would rather forget.

As the story unfolds, the audience learns more about the strained relationships between Gabriel, his father, and Joshua. Through flashbacks, we see the four friends as children and learn about their bond and their shared experiences. We see how they all ended up taking different paths in life, but those early childhood memories were still firmly embedded in their hearts.

It's not long before we discover the reason for Gabriel's father's animosity towards him. The memories of his father's betrayal towards his mother and subsequent abandonment had never left him. This traumatic experience had caused Gabriel's father to turn to alcohol, making him a recluse in his last days.

The story’s pivotal point involves Gabriel's father's death which leads to Gabriel inheriting the family business, as well as his father's debts. With mischievous characters like the conniving and manipulative Martha and the drunken Thorman brothers who are determined to take Gabriel down, there is never a dull moment in this drama series. Gabriel and Joshua, along with their ladies and some of their loyal friends, must work together to outsmart their adversaries and protect each other.

Throughout the series, there are several themes examined, including love, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. The four friends' heartbreaking stories are inspiring and resonate with the viewers. The show takes us on a journey where the protagonists come across several hurdles, both internal and external. Their resilience to overcome those hardships is intriguing, with each one taking unique paths in life.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the show is its setting, which is picturesque and idyllic. The rolling green hills, the charming village houses, and the surrounding, stunning landscapes are easy on the eyes. The cinematography is gorgeous and brings the world of the characters to life.

Catherine Cookson's A Dinner of Herbs is told with keen detail and nuance at every level. It's a character-rich story, with every member of the community having their own backstory and motivation, which adds depth to the overall narrative. The show does an excellent job of presenting a bleak social and economic reality and how the characters' lives fit within them.

In conclusion, Catherine Cookson's A Dinner of Herbs is a captivating drama series that transports audience members to a bygone era. With excellent performances from the cast, and a script full of atypical twists and turns, it's a show that is hard to put down. The series' themes are relevant and resonating even today with issues such as betrayal, forgiveness, and resilience standing the test of time. Overall, if you are a fan of classic period dramas, you will adore Catherine Cookson's A Dinner of Herbs.

Catherine Cookson's A Dinner of Herbs is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between November 23, 2000 and on BritBox