Watch The Way We Live Now

The Way We Live Now is a BBC America mini-series that premiered in 2001. The show stars David Suchet, Matthew Macfadyen, Shirley Henderson, Cillian Murphy and more, and is set in the 19th century. The show explores the dynamics of money, power, and corruption in late Victorian England. It centers around the story of Augustus Melmotte (David Suchet), a foreign tycoon with a mysterious past who arrives in London and quickly becomes the toast of high society. Melmotte is a man of great wealth and ambition, but his presence in London sets off a chain of events that will lead to his downfall.

Matthew Macfadyen plays Paul Montague, a young engineer who becomes embroiled in the Melmotte affair. Montague is deeply in love with Henrietta Hurtle (Shirley Henderson), a woman he has known since childhood. However, things become complicated when he meets and falls in love with another woman, Mrs. Hurtle (Miranda Otto), who has a troubled past and is fiercely independent.

Meanwhile, Cillian Murphy plays Felix Carbury, a member of the landed gentry who is desperately trying to maintain his family's fortune. Carbury is a complex character who is both charming and incredibly selfish. He is torn between his love for his sister, Marie (Paloma Baeza), and his desperate desire to marry the wealthy American heiress, Ruby Davern (Miranda Hart).

As the plot unfolds, we see the characters making deals, betraying each other, and scheming for their own personal gain. The show is a masterful exploration of the greed and corruption that permeated English society during the late 1800s.

One of the things that makes The Way We Live Now so compelling is the excellent performances by the cast. David Suchet is particularly outstanding as Augustus Melmotte. He portrays the character with a great deal of nuance, making him both charismatic and infuriating. Matthew Macfadyen also gives a fantastic performance as the conflicted Paul Montague. His portrayal of a man torn between love and duty is both powerful and poignant.

The show is also beautifully shot, with stunning period costumes and lavish sets. The attention to detail is impressive, and the overall look of the series is both elegant and immersive.

On top of all this, the show features a gripping and complex plot. The various storylines are woven together masterfully, and the tension builds steadily throughout the series. There are moments of tragedy, humor, and romance, all of which are expertly handled by the show's writers and directors.

Overall, The Way We Live Now is a fantastic mini-series that explores the darker side of Victorian England with both style and substance. It is a sprawling, epic tale that is sure to captivate viewers with its unforgettable characters, beautiful visuals, and gripping storylines.

The Way We Live Now is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between November 11, 2001 and on BBC America