Following the change of the head of Drama Commissioning at the BBC it has been announced recently that the period dramas as we know them may not happen so often in our screens. It seems 19th century literature is going to be given a rest in favour of dramas like The 39 Steps or The Diary of Anne Frank. Although we don’t mainly focus in 19th century classics adaptations in our blog, it is true that they hold a special place in our favourites and we wouldn’t really mind to have a new Austen or Gaskell adaptation every year. So we are a bit sad to see this new direction the BBC is heading to even if we wait eagerly for the new dramas announced and we promise to chat about them as much as we have been doing this past year.
What do you think of less Austens, Gaskells and Dickens in the BBC’s future?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Whilst I am disappointed, I would like to see a bit more variety, not all 20th century, not all 18th – a mixture of everything.
Wow. I don’t know how I feel. It does seem that they’ve touched on just about every piece by Austen and Glaskell, several times, and very well. BBC has been so good at period drama that maybe there are a great many stories out there to be told that once are put to film, we’ll wonder what we ever did without them? Let’s hope! :)
I am a huge fan of the BBC adaptions and I love everything Austen, Dickens, Gaskell etc., so I’m also kind of sad to hear this. (But they didn’t say they won’t do any anymore, so there’s hope for one or the other more. ;) )
But on the other hand I also agree that more variety and other interesting books to be turned into movies may be bring great adaptions. I only hope now they don’t focus on 20th century too much, as those books aren’t usually my personal favorites.
All in all I guess I trust them enough to pick interesting and good literature and make great movies from it, as they so often did till’ now.
I’m surprised that the BBC is saying that. They’ve done such an awesome job up to now! I do agree that the 19th century has a certain quality that makes it my favourite era. I don’t mind if they do other eras though. I’d rather see something different rather than rehashing Jane Austen and others. (eg.- 2007 Persuasion I could do without)
I think that the BBC will make enjoyable and impressive new period dramas whatever date they are set in and I look forward to discovering new stories!
I’m sure they’ll return to 19th century dramas in a little while anyway :-)
I always love seeing period dramas. I just wish they would stop remaking the same ones and work on something we may not have seen before. what about making a few more Catherine Cooksons that are less well known.
Please please though dont stop making them.