jearnott

This was funded by PBS, the American public broadcasting service, but made by the BBC in the U. K. and the quality shows, not just in the casting and acting, but in the costumes and production design. For a change, rather than trotting out another Austen adaptation, the BBC have chosen to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Miss Austen's birth by commissioning an adaptation of the novel Miss Austen' by Gill Hornby, as seen through the eyes of her beloved sister, Cassandra, ably played by actresses Keeley Hawes, as the older Cassie and Synnove Karlsen (a Norwegian/British actress l haven't come across before) but perfectly believable as the prettier of the two sisters.

We don't know why Cassandra burned the thousands of letters that Jane wrote throughout her lifetime - it is said to protect her reputation - and the Jane in this production certainly has wit and a sharp tongue, but the whole business in the importance of letters at that time and how they can distort the truth is explored and Gill Hornby has obviously done a lot of research into the inter-related families, which does get a little overwhelming at times. It would be wise to read a biography of Jane Austen before watching, then it will make more sense working out who is related to whom!

There are one or two factual errors (see in factual error section) and the use of Blind Colour Casting in the character of Dr Lidderdale, who did exist, but certainly wasn't black (black slaves had only recently gained their freedom in the 1840's when this story is set) so you have to suspend some belief. I would also question the attitude of the maid, Dinah, who is so rude and conniving it beggars belief she would ever have remained in the household, but then she does redeem herself at the end - and this is fiction, after all, but very plausible fiction.

It's a fitting and original tribute to Austen and Netflix could learn a lot from it, as they embark on their adaptation of P&P, rather than repeat the mistakes of their abysmal adaptation of 'Persuasion' a few years back.

I hope the Beeb adapt some more of Gill Hornby's other novels, especially Godmersham Park, which again dwells on other real characters that existed in Jane's short life.

Like this adaptation of her work, however, it is likely to be more character, than plot driven.

It's seven years since this compelling drama graced the screens of the BBC and U. K. television. Since then the series has be broadcast world-wide, screened on Netflix and countless other platforms, gaining countless fans and plaudits, however (at the time of writing 2014) we still wait for a second series. Other less worthy costume dramas (e.g. Sanditon) spawned even worse sequels than the original, but with such a stellar cast and talent behind this production, Taboo deserves more. I gather much of the funding for Taboo came from Tom Hardy himself (and costume dramas ain't cheap).

Let's just pray that a second series will one day be made - it will be well worth the wait.

This unsettling short horror story still remains etched on my memory almost 45 years after it was shown.

Part of the BBC's annual Series of Ghost stories at Christmas and the only one set in contemporary times, the story begins with the removal of one of the Avebury Stones which inconveniently lies in the garden of its new owners, Peter and Katherine, unleashing a supernatural force which affects Katherine, who starts to bleed uncontrollably.

It's a slow burner with a lot of nudity for the time, as Katherine tries to find the source of the bleeding and to stop it, which initially she seems to succeed.

Later the following morning, the stone is removed to reveal a skeleton hidden below, surrounded by daggers and a blade in the rib, roughly in the area of Katherine's bleeding, but by then it is too late. There is no reason given for the bleeding, other than retribution from the dead, as it is later revealed that the skeleton may be that of a witch, but enigmas are sometimes the best way to end a tale.