Anna Maxwell Martin
Matthew Rhys
Jenna Coleman
Matthew Goode

Juliette Towhidi

Miniseries
2014 (U.S.)
Drama, Mystery, Romance
PBS
TV-14

“Death Comes to Pemberley,” airing as a Masterpiece Mystery! program on PBS in the States, is a somewhat good three-part miniseries that’s capably made. (It airs in two parts on PBS, by the way.) It has the expected setting, costumes, dialogue, camerawork, and acting style of a typical period piece drama from the Brits. It fits in with many adaptations of “Pride and Prejudice,” of course, and with “Downton Abbey.” However, this miniseries isn’t as deep or spirited as the best of those productions. The characters aren’t as distinctive as they could be, and characterization is key for this genre.

Furthermore, knowledge of “Pride and Prejudice” is necessary to fully understand the implications of the events on display: The flashbacks simply aren’t enough to provide the full context. Also, the infusion of a murder into the period-piece romantic drama genre affects the balance somewhat negatively. The result is a bit watered-down. There isn’t a palpable sense of danger.

Overall, again, they’ve done a fairly good job. But they haven’t reached the greatness that they could have with a sharper, more incisive script. The textures are missing. However, this will likely work for fans of period pieces who are looking for something new to watch. …

After viewing the second half of “Death Comes to Pemberley,” I must note that the second half is better than the first due to the inquest, the trial, and the potential hanging. If they had focused more on those things for the entirety of the miniseries, then the outcome would’ve been more successful. The first half could’ve been edited to last only 30 minutes without leaving out anything pertinent. That would’ve resulted in a much more consistently engrossing viewing experience.

Verdict: Somewhat Good Overall

About: (Source: pemberley)

Six years after Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have prevailed over pride, prejudice, the caddish Mr. Wickam and the frivolous Mrs. Bennet, a coach races up to Pemberley, Darcy’s palatial estate, with an hysterical Lydia shrieking, “Murder!” So continues Jane Austen’s timeless classic, Pride and Prejudice, in Death Comes to Pemberley, a star-studded adaptation of crime-writer P.D. James’ bestselling whodunit.

On the eve of Pemberley’s annual ball, new and beloved iconic characters of Pride and Prejudice assemble to bask in the warm glow of the Darcy’s sumptuous estate. But following Lydia’s frantic arrival and an investigation into Pemberley’s woods, a nightmare ensues and a scandal mounts, threatening Pemberley and all the Darcys hold dear.

With lavish locations, handsome parklands, and beloved, iconic characters, Death Comes to Pemberley marries the splendor and emotion of period drama with the intrigue of murder mystery. Starring Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House, South Riding) as quick-witted Elizabeth Darcy, Matthew Rhys (The Americans) as the principled Mr. Darcy, Matthew Goode (The Good Wife) as the roguish Wickham, and Jenna Coleman as coquettish minx Lydia (Doctor Who).