There’s been no shortage of British period dramas of late, but when they look this good and boast such a topnotch cast, we’re tuning in.
This time, it’s a lavish adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s classic novel Vanity Fair.
Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, BBC series Vanity Fair follows modern heroine Becky Sharp. She’s determined to claw her way out of poverty and scale the heights of English society.
Becky is played by Olivia Cooke, best known as Emma Decody in the US drama series Bates Motel. She’s joined by Tom Bateman (Jekyll & Hyde) as Rawdon Crawley, the handsome, gullible soldier who falls hopelessly in love with her.
Olivia Cooke and Tom Bateman play lovers Becky and Rawdon.
Also in the cast is Martin Clunes (Doc Martin) as Sir Pitt Crawley, Rawdon’s roguish father; Frances de la Tour (the Harry Potter films) as Sir Pitt’s sister, Matilda, who has inherited her mother’s fortune; and Claudia Jessie (Line Of Duty) as Becky’s kind friend Amelia Sedley.
“I love Becky because she’s her own woman,” Olivia, 24, tells TV WEEK.
“She’s manipulative when she wants to be, but also fun. She sees the light in every situation and is never down. She’s multifaceted and not virtuous or pure – nor does she pretend or want to be.”
Olivia says the costumes on the show proved to be quite restrictive.
One of the biggest challenges for Olivia was getting into those uncomfortable period dresses of the early 19th century.
“The corset is so stifling,” she says.
“You’re strapped in first thing in the morning and then on set for 13, 14 hours. Movement is quite limited, because you have a bonnet on and a shawl, which you’re scared might slip off.”
“It [the period costume] does help you to transport yourself to that time and place, but it’s very restrictive. And it restricts your appetite as well – I lost so much weight! How did people wear those things every day? No wonder women wanted to be liberated, because it’s just so uncomfortable!”‘
Kerry Gilbert (left) as Jemima and Suranne Jones as Miss Pinkerton.
The role of boorish Sir Pitt Crawley held a special appeal for Martin Clunes.
“I’m a member of the British Carriage Driving Society,” the 56-year-old says.
“So I did all my own carriage-driving for the part, with two black Friesian horses. That was my highlight.”
Vanity Fair airs Thursday, 8:30pm, on BBC First.
