'Sublime' period drama adaptation of 'extraordinary novel' now streaming

A period piece based on an acclaimed novel is now streaming and a must watch for any fans of costume dramas.

Audience members have praised the limited series on IMDb, with one user giving a 10/10 review and the title: “A skilled adaptation of an extraordinary novel”.

A second person titled their review “sublime” and said: “The BBC has done it again: this is a wonderful production of a very good book, and they have done it up in style.”

Another person heaped praised on the programme: “The sets and costumes are flawless, the direction is stylish and the characters are likeable. There is a fair amount of humor [sic] but it has surprisingly dark interludes. The protagonist is really a tragic figure, but not devoid of happiness.”

They added: “The BBC have made some wonderful productions in the past, and this adventurous period piece only confirms their standard of excellence on all fronts.”

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A fourth commented: “This wonderful 3 part BBC production is one of the sweetest love stories that I have seen in a while.”

They went on to say: “The characters are well defined and very believable. I guess this is a by-product of a good adaptation from a well written novel.”

Tipping the Velvet aired on the BBC in 2022, based on Welsh author Sarah Waters 1998 debut novel of the same name.

The three-part series saw Pride and Prejudice and The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders screenwriter Andrew Davies overseeing the scripts.

Tipping the Velvet was set in the Victorian era and followed the sexual awakening of Whitstable native Nan Astley (played by Rachael Stirling) after she headed to the big smoke of London and fell in love with male impersonator Kitty Butler (Keeley Hawes).

The pair embarked on a passionate romance as Nan funded her life in London, before the pair form an onstage double-act.

The series was a coming-of-age tale with moments of humour and darkness with a bawdy twist.

Tipping the Velvet featured a stellar cast, including Four Weddings and a Funeral star Anna Chancellor, Game of Thrones’ Jodhi May, Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins, Line of Duty’s Daniel Mays, Downton Abbey favourite Hugh Bonneville, Monica Dolan of Appropriate Adult fame, and even a turns from Doctor Stranger star Benedict Cumberbatch, Johnny Vegas and Alexei Sayle.

Both the TV series and novel have had a positive impact on the depiction of queer characters on screen and led to more LGBTQIA+ stories to be told onscreen.

Previously reflecting on the success of her novel and the subsequent BBC adaptation, author Waters wrote at length about it in 2018, marking the book’s 20th anniversary.

She explained in The Guardian how she was “thrilled” by the reception among the queer community but the success among straight readers “took me by surprise”.

Waters also pondered on whether she’d write a sequel and would focus on Kitty.

Tipping the Velvet is available to stream on Prime Video for a fee