A period drama from the writer of Downton Abbey was always going to get snapped up by ITV, and while I doubt they regret the decision, the result certainly wasn’t the home run they were hoping for.
The show achieved steady ratings and mixed-positive reviews, but far from caught on in the way Downton did.
I found the show to be decent, thoroughly watchable, without ever being particularly engrossing. It was very surface level, and I never got to dig deep into the characters and their emotions.
The standout element was the cast, with Philip Glenister, Tamsin Greig, Harriet Walter, Adam James, and Alice Eve, among others, all doing strong work.
However, a personal stand out for me was Ella Purnell, who brought a real energy and spark to her scenes, and I wish she’d been in the show more.
Rating = 2.5/5
Howe's World of Film and TV 