Netflix just in: this Jane Austen period drama is being called “better than Bridgerton” 😱💘
Netflix just in: this Jane Austen period drama is being called “better than Bridgerton” 😱💘
A quietly added British period drama has suddenly caught the attention of TV fans, with viewers praising its romance, beautiful costumes, and “delightful” take on the world of Jane Austen.
If you love Bridgerton, The Other Bennet Sister, or slow-burn period romances, this could be the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.
But there’s one problem: you only have a few weeks to watch it before it disappears from BBC iPlayer. 👀⏳
And fans who have already discovered it are wondering why nobody was talking about this one sooner… 💕
A charming 2022 Regency romp has slipped onto the BBC’s free streaming service with little fanfare, giving fans only a few weeks to discover why many are ranking it above Netflix’s glossy hit.
In the crowded world of period drama, new releases usually arrive with fanfare, trailers, and carefully orchestrated social-media campaigns. Mr. Malcolm’s List has taken a quieter route. The 2022 historical romance, heavily inspired by the spirit of Jane Austen, has been added to BBC iPlayer following a recent broadcast on BBC Two. It is available to stream for free — but only until Sunday, 26 July. After that, it disappears from the platform.
For viewers seeking an elegant, witty, and emotionally satisfying alternative to more extravagant productions, the timing feels almost serendipitous. Those who have already watched are not holding back in their praise. One IMDb user declared it a “masterpiece” and went so far as to say it is “better than Bridgerton.” Others have called it delightful, effervescent, and the kind of pure escapism that makes audiences wish people still spoke and lived with such grace.
A Story of Lists, Revenge, and Unexpected Romance
Set in early 19th-century England, Mr. Malcolm’s List follows the fallout from a social slight that would feel right at home in an Austen novel. Eligible bachelor Jeremy Malcolm (Sope Dirisu) is known for maintaining a strict list of qualifications any potential bride must meet. When he rejects the lively Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) for falling short of one of his requirements, she is publicly humiliated and determined to make him pay.
Julia enlists the help of her close friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto), a clever and kind-hearted young woman of more modest means. Together they devise a plan: Selina will be coached to meet every item on Malcolm’s exacting list, win his admiration, and then reject him in turn. What begins as an elaborate scheme of social revenge gradually becomes something far more complicated as genuine feelings begin to emerge and the carefully laid plans start to unravel.
The premise neatly captures the blend of sharp social observation, romantic tension, and moral growth that defines Austen’s best work, even though the film is an original story rather than a direct adaptation. Written by Suzanne Allain and based on her own novel, the screenplay leans into the pleasures of misunderstanding, pride, and the slow realisation that true compatibility cannot be reduced to a checklist.
A Cast That Brings Fresh Energy to the Regency World
The film is led by three compelling performances. Zawe Ashton brings spark and wounded pride to Julia, a woman whose confidence is dented but whose wit remains intact. Sope Dirisu portrays Jeremy Malcolm with a mixture of aristocratic reserve and unexpected vulnerability, making the character’s gradual thaw feel earned rather than inevitable. Freida Pinto anchors the story as Selina, radiating quiet intelligence and emotional honesty that make her the clear heart of the film.
Supporting roles are filled with equal care. Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Ashley Park, Theo James, and others populate a world of drawing rooms, country estates, and carefully negotiated social encounters. The ensemble feels lived-in rather than merely decorative, and the chemistry between the leads gives the romantic complications genuine stakes.
Handsome Locations and Polished Craft
Much of the film’s visual appeal comes from its Irish locations. Production utilised several historic properties, including Newbridge House in Dublin, Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, and Castletown House in County Kildare. The result is a procession of elegant interiors, sweeping parkland, and soft natural light that gives the story a rich, textured backdrop without tipping into excessive gloss.
Critics and audiences have repeatedly praised the film’s technical craft. Costumes, production design, lighting, and direction work together to create a world that feels both authentic to the period and inviting to modern viewers. At a time when some period dramas lean heavily into heightened colour palettes and contemporary needle-drops, Mr. Malcolm’s List opts for a more classical approach that many find refreshing.
On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a solid 83% approval rating from more than 100 critic reviews. Audience responses have been even more enthusiastic. Viewers frequently highlight the strong performances, the beauty of the locations, and the pleasure of a story that delivers romance without cynicism. Several have noted the welcome diversity of the cast, describing it as a natural and effective updating of the Regency world.
Why Comparisons to Bridgerton Keep Arising
It is almost impossible to discuss a new Regency-era romance without mentioning Bridgerton. Netflix’s phenomenon has redefined the genre for a global audience with its lavish production values, diverse casting, modern soundtrack, and unapologetic embrace of steamy romance. Mr. Malcolm’s List operates in a different register. It is quieter, more restrained, and more interested in the emotional and social consequences of its characters’ choices than in spectacle.
For some viewers, that restraint is precisely the point. Comments describing the film as “how Persuasion should have been adapted” or “a delightfully effervescent Regency romp” suggest that many audiences still crave the particular pleasures of a more traditional period drama: sparkling dialogue, carefully observed manners, and romances that develop through conversation and character rather than constant high drama.
The film does not attempt to compete with Bridgerton on the same terms. Instead it offers an alternative — one that feels closer in spirit to the Austen adaptations many grew up with, while still benefiting from contemporary casting and sensibilities. That combination appears to be resonating strongly with those who have found it on iPlayer.
A Limited Window to Watch
The practical reality is that time is short. Mr. Malcolm’s List is available on BBC iPlayer only until Sunday, 26 July. After that date it will leave the platform, at least for now. For viewers who enjoy discovering well-crafted period dramas without the pressure of a major marketing campaign, the next couple of weeks represent a genuine opportunity.
The film’s quiet arrival on the service is itself part of its charm. In an era when many titles fight loudly for attention, there is something appealing about stumbling across a polished, enjoyable romance that simply appears one weekend and invites you to settle in. Those who have accepted the invitation are leaving with high praise and, in some cases, a new favourite.
A Welcome Addition to the Period-Drama Landscape
Mr. Malcolm’s List will not redefine the genre. It does not need to. What it offers instead is something increasingly valuable: a well-acted, handsomely produced, emotionally satisfying story that respects the traditions of Regency romance while making space for a more inclusive cast. It delivers humour, heart, and the particular pleasure of watching proud or wounded characters slowly recognise what they truly want.
For fans of Jane Austen, of classic British period drama, or simply of stories in which love and self-knowledge arrive together, the film is an easy recommendation. The only caveat is the ticking clock. BBC iPlayer is making it available for free, but not indefinitely.
Those looking for a refined alternative to more extravagant streaming hits would do well to seek it out while they still can. In a summer of sport and noise, a couple of hours in the company of Julia, Selina, and the exacting Mr Malcolm may prove exactly the elegant escape many viewers need. And if the growing chorus of voices is any indication, more than a few will finish the film convinced they have found something rather special — and, in at least one enthusiastic opinion, something even better than Bridgerton.
