CELEBRATING THE BEAUTIFUL ‘NORTH AND SOUTH’ 20 YEARS LATER
Twenty years ago, one of the best loved period dramas of our generation, North & South made its debut in the U.S. The BBC period drama first debut in the fall of 2004 in the U.K. and in the states, it debuted in July of 2005. As a result, technically, this beloved period drama is already twenty years old, however since I neglectfully missed marking the occasion on its 2004 release date, I’m taking this opportunity to cute some confetti in celebrating North and South anniversary 20 years later! If ever there were a period drama worth celebrating, this one is certainly it.
LIST | JOHN THORNTON AND MARGARET HALE: THE LOVE STORY FROM ‘NORTH AND SOUTH’
CELEBRATING THE BEAUTIFUL ‘NORTH AND SOUTH’ 20 YEARS LATER. We celebrate the lovely #PeriodDrama from BBC. #JohnThornton #MargaretHale #NorthandSouth #Romance Share on XThe period drama is based on the Elizabeth Gaskell novel, of the same name, and tells the story of the genteel and proper Margaret Hale whose softer Southern ways aren’t prepared for the harsher and darker realities of the North. Moving there with her parents, Margaret doesn’t know how to adapt to a place that, to her, seems like “hell.” This is made worse by her acquaintance with Mr. John Thornton, a proud and stern factory owner whose society Margaret is certain she doesn’t belong to. Time passes of course and things happen that changes everyone’s circumstances and how they view each other.
This was a period drama that I, back in the day, spent hours reading reviews for. Back then, I would scour places like Amazon to find what period drama I would watch next, and yes, the “how” I’d see the drama would be through a DVD set. Since it was kind of a “luxury” and fun thing for me to order a new period drama, I didn’t just add one to the cart on a whim. I tried to find the ones that I would, as best I could tell, enjoy more than not. North and South is one well worth it, and celebrating it twenty years later, I am sharing some of the reasons we still love this drama.
CELEBRATING NORTH and SOUTH 20 years later
THE CAST
This one is obvious, yes, but the cast is brilliant. From the lead at-the-time newcomers (to roles like this) Daniela Denby-Ashe and Richard Armitage to the stars with years of experience, they’re all good. I quite like them all together and everyone does a good job bring to life a story that has meaning.
THE CULTURE CLASH
There are period dramas that have the clash of cultures and classes, too. But I don’t know that I’ve seen a period drama that “clashes” its culture in the way this one does. It’s unique and lovely all at once. It’s about a class culture, but it’s more than this.
THE MANNERS
Any period drama has good manners, or rather some period dramas do. Then there are others that don’t even try and use all kinds of modern mannerisms and language. This period drama does seem to have manners though and I am quite here for it. I love a good period drama that also brings its manners to a situation, and better still, I adore that there are writers and actors who allow storytelling to happen this way vs. the wild and free vibe of more recent period dramas.
THE ROMANCE and LOVE STORY
Even celebrating North and South 20 years later doesn’t diminish this story. The love story is memorable. It’s kind of a loathe to love story in many respects, but I think this one goes deeper than a couple merely exchanging banter that leads to “I loathe him / her” or a couple finding each other rude. There is more here because of their different upbringings and yes, location can matter. Still we did highlight their love story in a recent OTP favorites (yes I know ‘OTP’ is out of style now) list, so I suppose going deeper here isn’t necessary and instead a little shout-out is all that is required. Still, just know that the love story is lovely and it all cumulates in a much loved scene…
THE TRAIN
Everyone adores the train scene. The moment when Margaret and John see each other again, and are also really seeing each other. Together they make a choice to figure out the details, even if it is a silent choice. They still know that they have a history and they want to be together, even if learning the “how” of this is difficult. The scene isn’t just nice for both people as individuals, but also for them as a would-be couple because we get a touching romantic moment…
Stream, at publication, North and South with BritBox or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
Photos: BBC
Now, it’s your turn! What are reasons you love this magnificent period drama? Will you be celebrating North and South 20 years later? If so, how? Do you love the cast? A certain scene? Comment all of your thoughts below.
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Even though the train scene isn’t in the book I absolutely love it!!! The music conveys their longing feelings just perfectly.
I think someone else talked about the train scene being exclusive to the miniseries. The scene is indeed love, so I guess I forgive this alternation. ;)