Watch Wives and Daughters

Wives and Daughters is an engaging four-part series that originally aired on BBC in 1999. Based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel of the same name, the show follows the life of Molly Gibson, the daughter of a widowed country doctor, as she navigates the complexities of growing up, falling in love, and making her way in the world. Brilliantly adapted for the screen by Andrew Davies and directed by Nicholas Renton, Wives and Daughters is a captivating period drama that is sure to delight fans of Jane Austen and Downton Abbey.

The series opens with Molly (played by Justine Waddell) living a quiet life in the countryside, where she spends her days helping her father with his medical practice and keeping house. Her peaceful existence is disrupted when her father decides to remarry, bringing into their home a former governess named Hyacinth Clare (played by Francesca Annis) and her beautiful but manipulative daughter Cynthia (played by Keeley Hawes). Although Molly is initially wary of her new stepmother and stepsister, she soon becomes fast friends with Cynthia and begins to see her as the sister she’s always longed for.

As Molly grows up, she faces a series of challenges that test her resilience and her character. She must navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence, where she struggles with her feelings for two very different young men: the handsome and charismatic Roger Hamley (played by Anthony Howell), who comes from a wealthy family, and the quiet and studious Mr. Gibson (played by Tom Hollander), who is determined to follow in her father’s footsteps as a doctor. Meanwhile, Molly tries to make sense of the complicated relationships between the various members of her family, including her proud and domineering stepmother, her kind and devoted father, and her beloved stepsister Cynthia, whose beauty and ambition lead her down a path of betrayal and heartbreak.

One of the great strengths of Wives and Daughters is its attention to detail and its commitment to historical accuracy. From the beautiful costumes to the stunning countryside locations, the show is an immersive and engrossing portrayal of life in rural England in the mid-19th century. The cast is uniformly excellent, with standout performances from Annis as the icy and calculating Hyacinth, Hawes as the beautiful and mysterious Cynthia, and Waddell as the resilient and compassionate Molly. With its warm humor, rich characterizations, and stirring emotional power, Wives and Daughters is a true masterpiece of television drama.

Perhaps most striking about this series is its depiction of a world that is both familiar and alien to modern audiences. On the one hand, the show is a reflection of a bygone era, a time when women were expected to be dutiful and obedient, and when the strict social hierarchies of class and wealth governed nearly all aspects of life. On the other hand, the themes explored in Wives and Daughters are timeless and universal: love, betrayal, jealousy, and redemption. In this way, the series offers a unique window into the past while also illuminating the enduring human experiences that connect us all.

Overall, Wives and Daughters is a true gem of a series, a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant drama that will leave viewers spellbound. Whether you’re a fan of classic novels, period dramas, or simply great storytelling, this series is not to be missed. Featuring a talented cast, gorgeous scenery, and a compelling storyline that will keep you hooked until the very end, Wives and Daughters is a true masterpiece of television.