NETFLIX JUST DROPPED A PERIOD DRAMA THAT SHATTERED EXPECTATIONS 🔥

Called a “masterpiece” and even “the greatest ever,” this diary-inspired series is raw, fearless, and nothing like traditional costume dramas. No sugarcoating. No safe moments. Just brutal honesty and emotion.

Led by a career-defining performance that’s leaving viewers shaken, this is the kind of story that lingers long after the final scene. Once it starts… you won’t look away. 👀👇

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‘Gentleman Jack’: The BBC’s Groundbreaking Period Drama Hailed as a Masterpiece and One of the Greatest of All Time

In an era where period dramas often lean on familiar tropes of corsets, country estates, and repressed emotions, Gentleman Jack stands out as a bold, unapologetic triumph. Created by Sally Wainwright for BBC One and co-produced with HBO, this critically acclaimed series—based on the extraordinary real-life diaries of Anne Lister—has been repeatedly called a “masterpiece” and “one of the greatest British period dramas of our time.” Starring Suranne Jones in a career-defining performance as the indomitable Lister, the show shatters conventions with its raw honesty about love, identity, sexuality, and ambition in 1830s Yorkshire. As fans and critics continue to rediscover it on streaming platforms, Gentleman Jack remains a beacon of fearless storytelling that redefines what historical drama can be.

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Anne Lister (1791–1840), often dubbed the “first modern lesbian,” left behind an astonishing legacy: diaries totaling nearly five million words, with about one-sixth written in a secret code she devised to conceal her most intimate thoughts—particularly her romantic and sexual relationships with women. Decoded and transcribed starting in the 1980s by historians like Helena Whitbread, these journals provide a rare, unfiltered window into the life of a woman who refused to conform to societal expectations. Lister was a landowner, industrialist, traveler, scholar, and unashamedly queer figure who dressed in masculine attire, pursued women openly (within her circles), and even “married” her partner Ann Walker in what is considered one of the first same-sex unions.

Sally Wainwright, a Yorkshire native who grew up near Lister’s historic home, Shibden Hall, had long dreamed of bringing this story to the screen. “Anne Lister is a gift to a dramatist,” Wainwright has said, describing her as “one of the most exuberant, thrilling, and brilliant women in British history.” Premiering in 2019, with a second season in 2022, Gentleman Jack transforms Lister’s coded entries into a vibrant, witty, and emotionally raw narrative. The series follows Lister’s return to Halifax in 1832, determined to restore her family estate, sink coal mines for profit, and court the wealthy but fragile Ann Walker (played by Sophie Rundle).

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At the center of it all is Suranne Jones’ unforgettable portrayal of Anne Lister. Jones embodies Lister with boundless charisma, energy, and nuance—striding confidently in her signature black attire, breaking the fourth wall to confide in the audience (mirroring diary entries), and delivering sharp, modern-feeling dialogue laced with northern grit and irony. Critics have been unanimous in their praise: The Guardian declared it “a masterpiece… one of the greatest British period dramas of our time,” highlighting how Jones “rocks Halifax as the first modern lesbian.” Rotten Tomatoes boasts a 92% critic score, with consensus reading: “Suranne Jones’ boundless charisma brings the indomitable Anne Lister to vivid life… mining terrific humour from the icon’s unapologetic forward-thinkingness.”

Jones doesn’t shy away from Lister’s complexities. Anne is charismatic and progressive—challenging gender norms, managing estates like a businessman, and advocating for her tenants—but she’s also flawed: manipulative at times, class-conscious, and relentlessly ambitious. This unflinching portrayal adds depth, making her a fully human trailblazer rather than a sanitized hero. Sophie Rundle’s Ann Walker provides a perfect counterpoint—vulnerable, anxious, yet resilient—as their relationship evolves from seduction to profound partnership, culminating in a symbolic marriage ceremony.

The supporting cast is equally stellar. Gemma Whelan plays Lister’s exasperated sister Marian, Timothy West and Gemma Jones portray her elderly relatives, and actors like Lydia Leonard and Albane Courtois bring depth to Lister’s past lovers and rivals. Wainwright’s script crackles with wit, blending historical accuracy with contemporary resonance: Lister’s direct gaze at the camera feels like a wink across centuries, reminding viewers of silenced queer histories.

Visually, the series is a feast. Filmed on location at Shibden Hall and across Yorkshire’s rugged landscapes, it captures the grit of industrial-era Halifax—coal pits, rainy moors, grand estates—while avoiding the glossy polish of many period pieces. The costume design, especially Lister’s iconic top hats and tailored coats, underscores her defiance. The soundtrack, blending folk tunes with modern undertones, enhances the rebellious spirit.

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Gentleman Jack: The diaries of Anne Lister | AM

What elevates Gentleman Jack beyond typical historical fare is its groundbreaking representation. In a genre often dominated by heterosexual romances, this is an “uncompromisingly gay” story told with joy, sensuality, and authenticity. Intimate scenes are passionate yet tender, never exploitative, emphasizing devotion and partnership. As Variety noted, it offers “a decidedly adult romance about devotion, trust, and partnership that is rare for TV… let alone for lesbian characters in a period piece.” For LGBTQ+ viewers, it’s revelatory—proof that queer lives existed and thrived, even in repressive times.

Despite its cancellation after two seasons (a decision that sparked fan campaigns for revival), the show’s legacy endures. Recent articles in 2025 have rediscovered it as a “hidden gem” and included it in lists of the “20 Best BBC Period Dramas of All Time.” Fans rave about its research, dialogue, and emotional impact, with one calling it “a masterpiece” for its monumental adaptation of Lister’s life. It’s inspired books, tours of Shibden Hall, and even a forthcoming ballet adaptation.

Gentleman Jack isn’t just entertaining—it’s essential viewing that challenges viewers to confront history’s erased narratives. Suranne Jones’ powerhouse performance anchors this tour de force, proving that truth can be stranger, braver, and more captivating than fiction. In a world still fighting for visibility, Anne Lister’s story—brought to life with such raw, unflinching truth—feels more vital than ever.

Both seasons are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer in the UK, HBO Max (now Max) in the US, and various platforms worldwide. Dive into this captivating journey through the past—you won’t emerge unchanged.