Popcorn and Inspiration: ‘Wives and Daughters’ From 1999: A Wholesome Historical Miniseries

"Wives and Daughters" focuses on the endeavors of young women in rural England to navigate the courtship game in search of good marriages and perhaps true love. BBC

Are you looking for a wholesome alternative to the ever-popular “Bridgerton,” something that offers complex family relationships, romantic intrigue, and lavish period costumes without the salacious content? “Wives and Daughters,” a four-part British miniseries that aired on the BBC in 1999 (and 2002 in the United States), is an excellent option.

Instead of an original story with a loose historical setting, this tale is an adaptation of the 1864 novel “Wives and Daughters: An Everyday Story” by Elizabeth Gaskell.