'Authentic' Bronte period drama based on true story leaves audiences stunned

A period drama centred on the Brontë sisters is currently available for streaming, following the success of a star-studded Shakespeare adaptation and a Charles Dickens-inspired drama. The BBC film, which aired in 2016, was created by Sally Wainwright, the mastermind behind Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack, reports the Manchester Evening News.

It sheds light on the lesser-known story of the three Brontë sisters; Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, as well as their troubled brother Branwell.

The show received high praise on IMDb upon its release, with one glowing 10/10 review stating: "Really excellently put together and not like any way we've seen the Brontes before."

Another reviewer complimented the attention to detail, saying: "Sets and locations spot on right even down to the regency couch that Emily is supposed to have died on."

Another review titled: "One of the Best Bronte Biographies yet" saw the user admit: "I must admit I was dubious at yet another film of the lives of the Brontes.I needn't have been,this was an excellent production."

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They went on to commend the art, location, and costume work, as well as the acting, describing it as "slow, subtle, and not over the top or 'chocolate boxy'."

They also praised the casting, stating: "The actors were excellently and evenly cast [sic]."

A third reviewer described it as a: "Real and accurate portrayal of the Bronte family."

While another top-rated review read: "Charlotte, Emily, and Anne... My three suns. What you endured, what hardships, what pain... You never gave up. Poverty, loneliness, and inequality never left you.

"You didn't even realize you were famous enough to have all your books published. Your books are so beautiful; those novels, those characters, have always touched me. Those characters, those pains, were all you. I'm proud to read your books, I'm proud of you [sic]."

Another viewer chimed in: "This was amazing!" and added: "I really don't want to compare it to the lovely I think French 70's version, but both were so nice, this one really laid in on the more obscure brother and shed some light there were hitherto there was none and even tough it was rough to be apart of his degeneration it really was nice how it affected the sisters and their art."

To Walk Invisible first aired on the BBC nearly 10 years ago.

Rather than being an adaptation of the Brontës' novels, the drama focused primarily on their challenging lives.

Wainwright not only penned the script but also directed the film, which took its title from a letter Charlotte wrote to her publisher after meeting a clergyman who didn't know she was the author Currer Bell.

In her letter, she expressed her desire to avoid fame and notoriety for her work.

Set in 1845, To Walk Invisible centred around Patrick Brontë (portrayed by Jonathan Pryce), his daughters Charlotte (Finn Atkins), Emily (Chloe Pirrie) and Anne (Charlie Murphy), and his son Branwell (Adam Nagaitis).

The family was reunited after Branwell was sacked from his tutoring job and his sister Anne also resigned as governess from the same family.

The sisters were worried about their futures due to their brother's escalating self-destructive behaviour and their father's deteriorating health and vision.

With Patrick's death, the sisters would be entirely reliant on Branwell, who was an alcoholic and squandered money.

Upon discovering Branwell's plans to pen a novel for income, the sisters' own literary passions were rekindled, leading them to embark on similar ventures under male pseudonyms.

To Walk Invisible is streaming on Apple TV+ and Prime Video for a fee