Jane Austen Love Stories

(dramatic music) - I think Jane Austen really deeply understood the human condition.

She understands what self-actualization is and she kind of marries those together in these beautiful works that remain timeless.

- I think we're going to take audiences on a very romantic journey.

I think Jane Austen in general, writes about young people and young love very accurately and I think Andrew Davies is very good at re-finding that spirit.

- Jane Austen sets up little time bombs that are going to explode, at just the right spot in the story.

- Action.

- She constructs plots with great skill and precision.

- Cut.

- And cut it.

(gentle music) - Sir Edward.

- The great thing about Andrew Davies is he has an ability to truthful to the source material but then add his own flavor and his own detail and his own spark.

(dramatic music) - Sidney's and Charlottes relationship is I think a classic Austen set up.

- That is a portrait of Sidney, my younger brother.

We're expecting him down from London for the month.

- It is rather reminiscent of Elizabeth and Darcy in the sense that it's a sparring relationship.

A lot of their exchanges are not very friendly and it's mostly Sidney's fault.

In the book, he's really quite mercurial, it's difficult to pin him down.

He's a man who has a rather low opinion of women.

He's certainly not very impressed with our heroine when he first meets her.

- The first thing that he says to her, indirectly to Mary is, "Is that a new maid?"

- New maid?

- Sidney.

This is Ms Charlotte Heyward, our guest at Trafalgar house.

- Miss um... - Heywood.

- Heywood.

- So she's immediately offended by the guy and it kind of becomes a classic Austen do-si-do of will they won't they?

- Ms Heywood, it seems I cannot escape you.

- Oh.

- Ms Heywood, always popping up when least expected.

The ubiquitous Ms Heywood.

Can't I even read the news in peace?

- If you don't wish to be disturbed, you might choose somewhere more secluded.

(upbeat orchestral) - Ms Heywood.

- Mr Parker asked me to give you this.

- Thank you, Miss.

- Young Stringer is the foreman for the building project.

He's entrusted by Tom Parker to oversee the construction, but he has aspirations to become an architect.

- Young Stringer is a lovely friend to Charlotte Heywood.

He's the most relatable person in the town.

He comes from more of a working class background.

- Young Stringer is obviously interested in Charlotte Heywood but he has competition in Sidney Parker, who arrives on the scene and represents a very different option, romantic option.

- The fun thing about Charlotte is that she's completely unaware that either of them are suitors, 'causes she really isn't on that kind of hunt and she is so naive, and hasn't had any experiences romantically that she can't pick up on signals.

- Surely ambition is a quality to be admired.

What is it?

- I just, I never met anyone like you before, Miss.

(sweeping orchestral) - Move, move.

Here, let me help.

- In episode three, Sidney and Charlotte come together to solve a problem, essentially they save a man after he's taken a fall and he's in a lot of danger physically.

- This will not be pretty fraulein, you might want to turn your head away.

- I'm not afraid of a little blood.

- Sehr gut, then you can assist me.

He must drink as much as he can.

- Take his hand.

- It's a pivotal moment for them because he suddenly understands her a little bit more and respects this strong, independent, thoughtful woman.

She looks at him slightly differently.

Sees that he's capable of empathy and capable of caring for someone other than himself essentially and there, some of the ice begins to thaw between them.

- There's a way to go yet, but the doctor says there's every reason to be hopeful.

(exclaims) - Forgive me, Miss.

- It's quite all right.

- Your father would be glad to see you there Mr Stringer.

- Thank you Sir.

(moody piano) - I must admit Ms Heywood, you've given a good account of yourself today.

Should never have expected you to be so capable.

Forgive me.

- How could I not?

Across the course of this series, they kind of come to learn that maybe they have something to learn about each other, through the other.

- Good day.

(sweeping piano)