Masterpiece: Sanditon

It may be shocking to some, but the show was a delight to me. I think if Jane Austen's name wasn't attached to it and people didn't have the expectation that Jane herself wrote the entire story, it would be welcomed. It's important to remember that Jane only wrote as much as was portrayed in the first episode. The rest of the series is the imagination of the writers and particularly Andrew Davies, who wrote the screenplay for Pride & Prejudice in 1995. He's not Jane Austen, but a writer who decided to take the pen and write beyond the hidden inuendos in the works of Jane. It's the characters that make this show, and the excellent acting.Yes, women played cricket in the Regency era. Charlotte wore her hair down because no doubt she was a farmer's daughter. Sensuality was more open in that era, unlike the Victorians who held a higher standard because of Queen Victoria. Bare-fist boxing was all the rage, and England was number one in the sport. Andrew Davies took his creativity and wrote the story with unbridled vision, and for that I am thankful.The characters are a wealth of individuals, full of background and motives. My only complaint is that eight episodes aren't enough to dive deeper into what makes them tick as people. Tom, who is so irresponsible and unable to admit to his mistakes. Syndey who is bruised and closed off because of a broken heart. Diana Parker and Arthur Parker, the hypochondriacs. Without spouses, they look to their ailments for attention and pity. Poor Esther who is manipulated and codependent upon her stepbrother, who by the way she shares no blood. Her entire self-worth is wrapped up in another person. Lady Denhem is a hoot, who tells you exactly what she thinks even if it's rude. "Love, love, what does love have to do with it?" And then there are the "snakes," who so greatly revealed the depth of their depravity, lying on the floor with a snake design underneath - Clara Brereton and Edward Denham. Miss Lambe is not a prisoner of Sydney - she's a prisoner of her wealth. And who can forget Charlotte! What a dear! What a personality. She's Sydney's match.So yes, that's why I love this series. And although it failed to deliver a happy ending, and ITV failed to commit to series two, I will accept it with hope more will come. If not, my imagination is rampant, and I shall finish it in my heart regardless and draw from it continually as a great example of character development.

Exactly as described.

I admit I am a fan of period dramas, especially those films or made-for-TV dramas drawn from the pens of Charles Dickens and the Bronte Sisters eg: Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Sanditon is from the pen of Jane Austen (Pride and Predjudice) who passed away before the book Sanditon was finished. The story follows the sometimes naieve, high-spirited and fiercely independent heroine, Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) as she gets invited to the picturesque coastal resort of Sanditon - a seaside town . It is not too long before the pretty Charlotte learns of the differing agendas that make up the cast of Sanditon. In the main the story resides around the the rich and steadfast Lady Denham, (Anne Reid), Tom Parker (Kris Marshall) whose whole focus and ideal is to build and complete the seaside town of Sanditon. However he has to rely on tips, advice and financial help from his handsome yet brooding brother Sidney (Theo James). The plot to the story line begins early on when Lady Denham arranges a ball for all to meet. Within minutes Sidney Parker makes eye contact with Charlotte. However with her shyness yet sparkle for Sidney she reveals too much of her opinionated views on all concerned and is quickly admonished by the now firm and hard-nosed Sidney. Amidst the ongoing plot of lovers overs to be ? Charlotte and Sidney; the rest of the cast reveal plots and romances of their own. All against the sweeping majesty of the ballrooms and the seaside Sanditon this DVD will keep you guessing and hoping for a conclusion you will be happy with. Drama and romance come together in emotive and dramatic fashion on Sanditon.

I purchased the Blu-Ray version of Sanditon and thoroughly enjoyed it except I was disappointed to find the ending as a cliff hanger. Please, give us an ending to the story. I appeal to the producers of this production, please, please, please -- We need an ending to this story -- not a cliff hanger. It's not fair to us -- Jane Austen's fans.I didn't want to be a "spoiler" but now that the last episode was shown on PBS last Sunday, here are my additional thoughts. What I said initially was true -- I did enjoy Sanditon -- the whole production, the costumes, the cast, the chemistry between Charlotte and Sidney....until it came to the end. The end was awful!!! Jane Austen always ended her stories with a happy ending. Andrew Davies took a big risk in giving us a "cliff hanger" as an ending without being sure that there would be a Season 2. He should have made it a whole production -- just like A&E's Pride and Prejudice, and given Charlotte and Sidney a proper ending -- a happy one: Together To get away for a while from the realities of life, I love to watch "feel good" movies with a happy ending. This one did not make me feel good at all. I read one viewer's comments who felt cheated and betrayed by Andrew Davies after she watched the ending. If we don't get a Season 2 and a proper happy ending for the two main characters, I would feel same way as this viewer. How about that, Mr. Davies?Today, May 6, 2021, I read that PBS has decided to renew Sanditon for Season 2 and 3. Hooray! That's the best news I've read so far regarding Sanditon and I look forward to watching it on PBS. This time, I hope that producers will produce an ending story and mark it "Option B" just in case the series is not renewed after Series 3 which I hope will not happen. Producers -- now's your chance -- give us a "happy ending" for closure to this series.

I really enjoyed the Sanditon Season 1 DVD. I had no preconceived notion about the story as I have not heard about this Jane Austen book before. The production was well made and I loved the idea that this was Austen's last book and that it was unfinished. That just mean, the story can go ever which way and could go on and on. Now knowing there will be a season 2 and 3, I am liking the ending to season 1 more and more. As Eliza chose wealthy husband over Sidney Parker, now Sidney Parker does the same. Although Season 1 only represents a few months of the heroine's life, and Charlotte is still young and inexperienced, we can hope that there is redemption for Sidney in Season 3, as that would really make it a truly Jane Austen story.

I bought the Sanditon DVD but as I watched it on HD and love, love this fantastic series so much I decided to treat myself to the HD version. Unfortunately my Blu-ray player won't play this because of the region thing but I can still watch it on my computer. Please, please #Amazon comission a second series. You won't regret it.

I absolutely love Sanditon! Everything about it is great: the characters, the actors, the costumes, the scenery and the music. Rose Williams and Theo James play perfectly and beautifully Charlotte and Sidney. The intensity in their eyes and faces says it all. No words needed. Charlotte Spencer plays Esther Denham so nicely and Anne Reid is a perfect Lady Denham. I haven't laugh as much since Lady Violet from Downton Abbey. Still hoping for season 2!On another matter, I don't understand why the Blu-Ray isn't available here in Canada. The colors and the details on the DVD were not as great as when I watched it on PBS. So I bought it also in HD on iTunes and downloaded it on my computer so I can watch it everyday, everywhere.So, if like me, you love Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle and Downton Abbey, this one is for you!And I ordered the books too ...

Have not seen it yet. But looking forward to it.

I love Jane AuTsten and this is an excellent adaptation of her unfinished last novel. It doesn't have the typical happy ending of her previous novels but perhaps her health concerns had put her in a darker place. I have always liked Kris Marshall (particularly in Death in Paradise) and he was very good in this. The lead character channels Mr. Darcy and does well but the builder is a very handsome guy whom I hope we see more of. I think his name is Leo Sutter.A real pleasure to watch.