'Masterpiece' BBC period drama based on diary is 'best of all time'

This historical series has been hailed as the "best of all time" and a "masterpiece", and it is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Gentleman Jack is a period drama television series created by Sally Wainwright for BBC One.

The series is based on Anne Lister's collected diaries, which run to roughly five million words with about a sixth in secret code and document a lifetime of lesbian relationships. Helena Whitbread began decoding and transcribing the diaries in the 1980s, and other transcribers have carried on the work since then. It is set in 1830s Yorkshire and stars Suranne Jones as landowner and industrialist Lister. Sophie Rundle plays landowner Ann Walker.

The series synopsis reads: "It's 1832 in West Yorkshire, England -- the cradle of the evolving Industrial Revolution -- where landowner Anne Lister is determined to save her faded ancestral home, Shibden Hall, even if it means bucking society's expectations. In addition to reopening the coal mines, a part of Lister's plan to help her family is to marry well.

"But the charismatic, single-minded Lister -- who dresses head-to-toe in black and charms her way into high society -- has no intention of marrying a man. "Gentleman Jack" examines Lister's relationships with her family, servants, tenants and industrial rivals, and would-be wife. The real-life Anne Lister's story was recorded in her diaries, and the most intimate details of her life are revealed for the series."

Both series of Gentleman Jack have received critical acclaim, and the impressive 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes reflects that. The critics' consensus states: "Suranne Jones' boundless charisma brings the indomitable Anne Lister to vivid life in Gentleman Jack, a gently revelatory series that mines terrific humour from the icon's unapologetic forward-thinkingness - although the series isn't as willing to ruffle feathers as she was."

Screen Rant listed the series in its listing of the "20 Best BBC Period Dramas Of All Time".

One fan described the series as a "masterpiece", adding: "This is a masterpiece: The research that was done to bring this interesting story of Anne Lister's life to the screen was monumental and very well used in creating the script. The acting is excellent, from a very strong cast and led by Suranne Jones (as Ms Lister) who has given such a magnificent performance throughout all eight episodes that she must surely have inspired her colleagues as well as the audience."

Gentleman Jack is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.