Looking for a new romantic period drama to watch? Check out our take on the delightful Beecham House!
Beecham House hit PBS Masterpiece this summer but didn’t get as much buzz as Sanditon or Poldark. Viewers and critics have had mixed reactions to it.
Still, Beecham House deserves more praise and is definitely worth a watch. This charming period drama is packed with romance, suspense, beautiful costumes, captivating characters, familiar British actors, and cleverly crafted villains.
ABOUT BEECHAM HOUSE
Gurinder Chadha’s six-part series Beecham House is set in Delhi just before British rule in the early 19th century.
Tom Bateman (known for Vanity Fair, Jekyll and Hyde, and Murder on the Orient Express) stars as the mysterious and sensitive John Beecham, a striking former soldier who buys a grand mansion, Beecham House, to start fresh with his family.
The stellar cast includes Lesley Nicol (Downton Abbey), Gregory Fitoussi (Mr. Selfridge), Adil Ray (Citizen Khan), Pallavi Sharda (Lion), Dakota Blue Richards (Endeavour), Leo Suter (Victoria, Sanditon), Bessie Carter (Howard’s End), Viveik Kalra (Blinded By The Light), and Marc Warren (Hustle).
OUR REVIEW
The show begins with intrigue as John Beecham arrives at Beecham House with a baby. Questions swirl—whose baby is it? Is John married? He keeps these secrets to himself, leaving both the servants and eventually his family in the dark.
John’s budding romance with Margaret Osborne (Dakota Blue Richards), a kind-hearted British woman left in India, deepens the mystery. Revealing too much would spoil the twists, but the plot is rich with engaging characters and suspense.
Additional characters add to the richness of the story: Lesley Nicol as the meddling mother, Gregory Fitoussi as a somewhat villainous French soldier, Leo Suter as the wild brother Daniel, Marc Warren as John’s old friend and business partner, Pallavi Sharda as the elusive Chandrika from John’s past, and Shriya Pilgaonkar as Chanchal, who falls for Daniel.
THE ROMANCE
There are plenty of romantic subplots to enjoy in Beecham House. The primary love story unfolds between John and Margaret. The series finale includes a stunning romantic moment that’s worth watching all on its own.
While other flashback scenes and budding romances, especially involving Chanchal, also capture attention, revealing more would spoil the fun.
SHOULD YOU WATCH BEECHAM HOUSE?
Admittedly, Beecham House isn’t going to snag any major awards, but it’s a joyful period piece with romance, splendid production designs, and a charming lead reminiscent of Mr. Darcy or Poldark. Tom Bateman’s brooding charisma suggests he’s on the brink of stardom, making him an actor to watch.
The plot’s mysteries and villains might be a bit predictable, yet the series remains enjoyable. Like knowing a romantic comedy will culminate happily ever after, sometimes predictability is just what we crave. Not all stories need shocking twists; some are comforting in their familiar patterns.
Beecham House offers pure romantic escapism. And there’s nothing wrong with that. While the romance genre often gets dismissed as simplistic, creating captivating romantic dramas like Beecham House is an art in itself, and this series does it well.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’re a fan of Gurinder Chadha’s works like Bend it Like Beckham or Bride and Prejudice, you’ll likely enjoy Beecham House’s romantic flair. Don’t expect gritty realism; this is more like a dreamy historical romance perfect for a beach read kind of vibe. And that’s high praise!
The show starts out slow but quickly picks up pace, turning into an addictive and thoroughly entertaining watch.
Fair warning, though: Beecham House ends on a major cliffhanger, and unfortunately, ITV has not renewed it. If you don’t like being left in suspense, you might want to skip the final episode and finish with the Taj Mahal scene for a satisfying conclusion.
Content Note: TV-14 for some mild sensuality and violence.
Where to Watch: Available on PBS Passport (for a limited time), the PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, and for purchase on Digital and DVD.
Have you watched Beecham House? What did you think of this period drama? Share your thoughts in the comments.
