The series received positive reviews, with
Mail+ calling it a "stunning adaptation", and
Woman & Home describing it as "absolutely glorious" and a "powerful,
feminist watch". In a five star review for
The Daily Mail, Christopher Stevens described the "brilliant rags-to-riches epic" as "an outrageously guilty pleasure". Hollie Richardson of
The Guardian described it as "another wonderful (and horny) retelling" of the novel, and Helen Fear of
TV Guide said that "if you’re a fan of period dramas" then this "quality series" is "a great
yarn". Anna Walker wrote for
The Conversation that the series is "visually sumptuous", taking place in an "unapologetically glossy
period world", adding that "the storytelling [still] retains the unabashed melodrama."
Radio Times called it "epic, sweeping, unironic TV", adding that the series "remains hypnotic for the same reasons it worked all those years ago", additionally describing Reynolds as a "captivating
tour-de-force".
Daily Express asserted that the "glossy, polished" series does Taylor Bradford's work "justice", adding that the
costume designers "have gone all out", making the series "far more stylish than the
1985 version".
The Telegraph noted that writers Jakeways and Bardsley "bring a modern sensibility" to the "entertaining" adaptation, ultimately awarding four stars.
Metro called it a "worthy heir" to the 1985 adaptation, describing it as "engrossing" and "tremendous fun to watch", awarding it three stars and noting comparisons to
Disney+ series
Rivals. Charlotte O'Sullivan of
The Independent, in her three star review, also referenced
Rivals and gave "kudos" to the series' creators for the "mostly thrilling series", describing Reynolds’ performance as "extraordinary" and Blethyn's as "magnetic". In another three star review,
Financial Times described the series as a “
Downton-meets-
Dallas reboot" which is "perfectly watchable" albeit "stuck in the 1980s". == References ==