'Wonderful' period drama based on classic novel and starring James Bond villain is '10/10'

A BBC period drama based on a classic novel by one of Britain's best loved authors is hailed by fans as "wonderful" and a 10/10. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1996) tells the story of a mysterious young woman called Helen Graham (played by Tara Fitzgerald) who moves to a Yorkshire village with her young son.

Her aloofness prompts gossip from the locals and leads her to being outcast socially, but she soon meets Gilbert Markham (Toby Stephens) a charming farmer who is persistent in finding out more about her. Stephens is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the villainous Gustav Graves in the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day.

She reveals that she is on the run from her abusive husband Arthur Huntington, played by Rupert Graves.

The miniseries is based on the celebrated Anne Brontë novel of the same name, which was released in 1848, and is now regarded as a trailblazing work that confronts taboo subjects often avoided by her contemporaries.

One fan on IMDb wrote: "I loved this mini series. Tara Fitzgerald did an incredible job portraying Helen Graham, a beautiful young woman hiding, along with her young son, from a mysterious past.

"As an anglophile who loves romances... this movie was just my cup of tea and I would recommend it to anyone looking to escape for a few hours into the England of the 1800's.

"I also must mention that Toby Stephens who portrays the very magnetic Gilbert Markham is reason enough to watch this wonderful production."

Another called the series a "hidden gem", adding, "Love the atmosphere. Rupert Graves's performance is just stunning."

A third gave the series a 10/10 saying: "The way the story is developed, keeps the audience wondering what is the tenant's dark past. We get some clues during the series, but enough to keep us interested in the mini-series.

"The characters are all believable and I personally felt immersed and surrounded by the story."

The three-part series has a 15 certificate and contains upsetting scenes, including violence and sexual abuse, so may not be for everyone.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is available to buy on Amazon Prime.