'Masterpiece' BBC period drama hailed one of the 'greatest' series of all time

Wales Online

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'Masterpiece' BBC period drama hailed one of the 'greatest' series of all time
The BBC series, which is based on a novel of the same name by Andrea Levy, has a 7.5 star rating on IMDB and has won critical acclaim from fans and critics alike
Small Island fans have been 'close to tears' after tuning in
(Image: Ruby Film)
Small Island, a cult classic novel has been transformed into a riveting BBC drama, captivating viewers on iPlayer. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Ruth Wilson, the series has earned an impressive 7.5 stars on IMDB, with fans lauding it as "truly one of the greatest" BBC dramas and describing it as "incredible viewing."
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Angela Levy's narrative focuses on Hortense (Naomi Harris), a bright and ambitious girl born out of wedlock in Jamaica in 1939. She grows up with the charismatic Michael (Ashley Walters), who joins the Air Force as conflict erupts and heads to England.
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Post-war, Hortense, now a trained teacher, enters a marriage of convenience with Gilbert Joseph, funding his move to England under the agreement that he will later send for her.
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She yearns for a reunion with Michael and is convinced that Britain holds better opportunities for her. However, upon her arrival in London in 1948, Hortense is confronted with the harsh realities of a tiny shared room and pervasive racial prejudice.
Fans have left rave reviews after binge-watching the entire series
Queenie, their progressive landlady, has also experienced disappointments, having married the dependable but dull Bernard to escape her family's farm life, according to the Express.
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With Bernard missing in action after serving in the Air Force, Queenie began hosting lodgers from the military, including Michael, with whom she has a history of sexual encounters, reports the Mirror.
Small Island fans have hailed the series the "greatest" ever
(Image: Ruby Television Production in as)
A viewer who was thoroughly impressed with Small Island gave it a glowing review, saying: "Small Island is a truly incredible drama, it gives the story of the lives of a group of people from Jamaica during the second world war, the effects they have on one another, and on a group of locals."
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The same individual continued their high praise for the series, adding: "It tells the journey the brave Jamaican fighters undertook, and the gut wrenching racism they had from the people they bravely fought to defend.
"Some scenes in the second part will have you close to tears, and some will have you chuckling away, it's an incredible balance."
They went on to say: "I have watched many dramas over the years, and I'd have to say this is one of the most powerful I've seen, it tells a story that's often never told, but in light of the Windrush scandal it has an even more powerful impact."
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Regarding the cast's performance, the fan commented: "The acting is benchmark standard, it is no surprise that awards followed, Naomie Harris is a revelation, but all concerned are sensational, too many performances to note, but David Oyelowo will near bring you to tears."
Another person penned: "This compelling two-part Masterpiece Theatre offering is another reason why people should support public television."
As a third hailed: "Small Island is a truly incredible drama, it gives the story of the lives of a group of people from Jamaica during the second world war, the effects they have on one another, and on a group of locals."
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A fourth review read: "Close to perfect. A story about post WW2 Jamaican immigrants to England, about working with reality to bring dreams to life, and how sometimes it just doesn't work out. The script was wonderful, skipping between Jamaica and London, showing how different these two were. Acting from everyone 10/10. I learnt a lot into the bargain."
The acclaimed series Small Island, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Bernard in two 90-minute episodes, can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.