'Perfect' BBC period drama streaming on iPlayer that's 'better than the book'

One BBC period drama is still gripping viewers 20 years on - and no, it's not a Jane Austen adaption. With cosy autumn nights drawing in, the weather calls for curling up with an excellent TV series or a good book, and one show has quietly stood the test of time.

At just four episodes, the North and South, the BBC's 2004 miniseries, is so good that newcomers coming across the show are riveted and say they can't help but watch it all at once. The adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's Victorian social novel and fans say it's one of the finest period dramas more people ought to see.

North and South tells the story of Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ash), a young woman whose life is turned upside down when she's uprooted from her comfortable life to an industrial town in the north where she struggles to adapt. Richard Armitage, in his first leading role, plays local mill-owner John Thornton who clashes with Margaret.

The start of North and South finds the Hale family living in an idyllic country village in Hampshire. Prompting their upheaval is Margaret's father, Richard, a pastor whose crisis of conscience leads him to break with the clergy.

To avoid gossip, the Hales relocate to Milton, a busy manufacturing town rife with social unrest and poverty. In need of work, Richard becomes a private tutor. One of his pupils is John, whom Margaret gets a terrible first impression.

The two clash from the outset. In their first encounter, Margaret witnesses John beating a worker who had been caught smoking in the mill, an act that endangered his fellow workers.

Although Margaret initially struggles to adapt to the town, she comes to befriend her neighbours and see John in a different light.

Set amid the Industrial Revolution, North and South explores society, class, and social justice.

"I noted the bleakness of the setting also, but there's a certain stark beauty in it," remarked a user on the Period Drama forum on Reddit. "And I liked the fact that the series was set in an industrial town and explored certain themes like social justice, class consciousness, the effects of the Industrial Revolution, etc. It was a nice change of pace from the usual Austen-style adaptation (which I also love).

Some fans have gone as far to say the BBC miniseries is better than the book. As one Reddit user put it: "It's the only adaptation I know of that is way better than the source material."

Another stated: "I know this gets posted a lot but I really think North and South 2004 mini series might be the best period drama I've ever watched."

One said North and South knocked the classic '90s Pride and Prejudice BBC miniseries with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth "off its perch" as their favourite period drama, adding: "If you have not seen it, do yourself a favor and don't waste any more time. It's just four hours, so perfect for binge watching on a weekend."

Another said: "I just binged the entire mini series last night because there was no way not to."

The ending of the show is broadly praised, with one fan saying: "Everytime I watch North and South I rewatch the ending about 5 times. It is just too perfect"