'Masterpiece' BBC period drama with 'best costumes ever' based on beloved book

Period drama lovers have been raving about an "incredible" BBC television series which has fans "hooked". The beloved TV series is inspired by the book The Duchess of Jermyn Street written by Daphne Fielding in 1964. The Duchess of Duke Street is a historical drama series that follows the life of Louisa Trotter, a determined and talented young woman who rises from a kitchen maid to become a renowned chef and hotel owner.

The series is loosely based on the real-life story of English businesswoman Rosa Lewis, who was known as the Duchess of Jermyn Street. She worked her way up from the kitchen maid who rose through the ranks before she made the plunge to Cavendish Hotel in London.

In the series Louisa's family name is Leyton, and her father is a clockmaker, echoing the life of the businesswoman who was born in Leyton to a watchmaker. Daphne Fielding wrote The Duchess of Jermyn Street in 1964 about Rosa Lewis but was not formally credited in the BBC production.

The beloved show, which ran from 1976 to 1977, explores Louisa's ambition, relationships, and challenges she faces in an ever-changing world. It was created by John Hawkesworth, who previously produced the ITV period drama Upstairs, Downstairs.

The series stars an ensemble cast led by Gemma Jones who played the leading lady Louisa Leyton Trotter, Victoria Plucknett who portrayed Mary and John Welsh who embodied Merriman.

Also joining the stellar cast is Christopher Cazenove, Donald Burton, and Bryan Coleman to name a few. The gorgeous BBC drama was primarily filmed in the heart of Yorkshire, with Ripley Castle featuring heavily throughout the series.

Both the series and the book have been widely praised by fans online, with one user awarding it 10/10 on the popular critic review site IMDB. They wrote: "One of my all-time favourite Masterpiece shows. My only complaint is that it didn't last long enough."

Another agreed: "This extraordinary series, so greatly beloved by Britons, deserves a new generation to view and be mesmerised by the wonderful acting, writing, direction, and costumes. It is still compelling 25 years after it was made and still ranks as one of the most superb examples of what truly grand television can be."

A third lauded on the praise, gushing: "I watched the first episode and I was hooked... Gemma Jones is superb in the hole. The series is enchanting, the characters, whilst possibly stereotypical, delightful and engaging and the writing is exceptional."