So, is everyone enjoying the Austen series on Masterpiece (not Masterpiece Theatre anymore)? I’ve been a little disappointed with the new productions, honestly. Trying to condense Austen’s novels into 90 minute episodes just isn’t feasible. All the interesting details have to be left out. Thank goodness they knew better than to mess with Pride and Prejudice. They really should have used it as a model for these new adaptations – they made it a miniseries for a reason, and we all know how wonderful it is. There’s really no comparison.
I did enjoy last week’s Miss Austen Regrets. A little on the sad side, but enjoyable. Great cast, too. Seeing Hugh Bonneville as Rev. Bridges reminded me of how much I loved him as the Young John Bayley opposite Kate Winslet’s Young Iris Murdoch in Iris.
So I looked him up on IMDb, and lo and behold, he is no stranger to the world of Austen. It had completely slipped my mind that he played Mr. Rushworth in the 1999 production of Mansfield Park. However, what I found really interesting was a reference to a miniseries he recently filmed called Lost in Austen. According to the plot outline, it’s about a young Jane Austen fan in modern-day London who somehow switches places with Elizabeth Bennet (Bonneville plays Mr. Bennet). Sounds fun. I hope it comes to the States!
Incidentally there is also a Choose Your Own Adventure-style book for adults called Lost in Austen, where the reader journeys through the fictional worlds of Austen’s novels trying to make the best matches. Sounds intriguing…
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