Lost in Austen

Lost in Austen is a British television drama produced by Mammoth Screen for ITV, which first aired in 2008. The four-part series is beautifully crafted, merging the modern-day world with the elegance of an older, more romantic era. Centrally themed around time travelling, Lost in Austen revolves around the life of Amanda Price, a die-hard Jane Austen fan from contemporary London, played brilliantly by Jemima Rooper. Amanda finds herself inexplicably swapped with Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist from her favourite literature, "Pride and Prejudice".

The series opens with Amanda leading a rather ordinary life, but one that is deeply influenced by her fascination with the world of Pride and Prejudice. One day, Amanda stumbles upon a secret doorway, behind which she encounters none other than Elizabeth Bennet from Regency England. A mysterious portal transports Amanda to this Georgian crisis world, and Elizabeth to Amanda's flat in 21st century London.

This surprising plot twist sets the stage for unlimited adventures and misadventures, as Amanda, a woman of the 21st century, must navigate the complex culture and customs of an era two centuries ago. Meanwhile, as the viewer will occasionally see, Elizabeth Bennet has her hands full with the hectic pace and vastly different societal norms of contemporary London. Unfortunately, her presence there is just a minor plot point as the focus of the series remains squarely on Amanda's life in the Regency era.

Alex Kingston stars as Mrs. Bennet, depicting the character's varying shades of being a loving, if somewhat meddling, mother magnificently. Morven Christie is delightful as the original Jane Bennet, embodying the quintessential early 19th century woman with grace and poise. Elliot Cowan makes a debonair yet stern Fitzwilliam Darcy, successfully maintaining an air of mystery around him. The young and talented Gemma Arterton marks her presence as a fantastic Elizabeth Bennet, gleaming with the character's well-known wit and wisdom.

Hugh Bonneville steals the show as Mr. Bennet, portraying a character torn between his loyalty to tradition and his sympathy for Amanda's displacement in time. His performance brilliantly reveals Mr. Bennet's sense of humour in handling with aplomb the confounding situation of an unexpected 'daughter.'

Throughout her stay in this bygone era, Amanda, despite her best efforts to uphold the story's original events, influences and disturbs the fundamental storylines of "Pride and Prejudice". This only serves to add more depth and unexpected twists to the narrative.

The writing is sharp, and the period costumes and sets are breathtaking and realistic, accurately reflecting the grace and charm of the 18th century. Even the language, behavior, and beliefs of the time have been immaculately adhered to, and the viewer will often find themselves drawn into this yesteryear world, despite the contemporary protagonist.

Even though Lost in Austen tells a relatively familiar story, it deploys an entirely new lens through which to view that story. This modern spin on a classic masterpiece injects a unique twist that adds extra depth to the characters we have known and loved.

Overall, if you are a fan of period dramas and time travel, ITV's Lost in Austen supplies a captivating amalgamation of the two, with carefully curated characters and strong plot lines. It weaves together the best of both worlds and introduces us to a new, unique one. Whether you're an Austen fan or not, Lost in Austen is well worth a watch, for the charming performances, witty dialogues, and the unexpectedly fun and intriguing plot.