Beth Evans, Student Union President
Friday 2nd February, 2024
Dickinson
Cast of Dickinson Photo. Apple TV Plus
This Apple TV Original is super cool! Dickinson tells the American poet, Emily Dickinson's coming of age story in a really dynamic and captivating way. Half period-drama half comedy, Dickinson fuses period costumes and histroical fact with modern day language, music and humor. It weaves together Emily Dickinson's fight to get published as a female poet in the 1800s with her personal relationships which. . . get complicated.
And, great news. . . there are three seasons to enjoy! It stars Hailee Steinfield (Hawkeye) as Emily Dickinson and has a great supporting cast including Ella Hunt, Jane Krakowski and Ayo Edebiri (Bottoms, The Bear).
Wynonna Earp
Melanie Scrofano as Wynonna Earp. Image: SYFY
Wynonna Earp isn't strictly historial fiction but due to it's interesting cast of characters, it still somehow fits the bill. Over three seasons, it follows the 'Earp Heir', Wynonna, her sister and their friends (including an immortal cowboy from Wyatt Earp's time!) as they fight demons, learn to love each other and work to end the curse put upon their family. Part Science fiction, part Western the show also periodically hosts vampires, garden gnome genies and all manner of intriguing characters.
Based on the comic series of the same name by Beau Smith, it's a hilarious and heartful series that runs on similar fuel to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural and Schitt's Creek. Whilst absurd at times, it is earnest and full of hope and it brilliantly demonstrates the peace that we find when we find our people.
Wynonna Earp was written by Emily Andras (Gone Girl) and stars Melanie Sccrofano, Tim Rozon and Dom Provost-Chalkley. It's available to watch in the UK on NOW TV.
Gentleman Jack
Cast of Gentleman Jack. Photo: BBC
Starring Suranne Jones, Gentleman Jack is a period drama based on the life of the diarist, Anne Lister. Over two seasons, the show navigates Lister's professional life, the adversities she faces as a female landowner in the 1800's (and the success she sees) all whilst trying to settle down and find a wife.
Gentleman Jack is available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer.
A League of Their Own (2022)
Chanté Adams and Abbi Jacobson in A League of Their Own. Photo: PRIME VIDEO
Starring Abbi Jacobson (Broad City), Chanté Adams and D'arcy Carden (The Good Place), A League of their Own is a one season Period Drama/Comedy was co-created by Will Graham and Abbi Jacobson, and brought to you by Amazon Prime. It's set in America during the Second World War and follows the experiences of women persuing careers in professional baseball.
This re-imagining of the 1992 film of the same name does what the original didn't - it shines a light on the Queer Women who played in the All American Girl's Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) and those who found alternative paths to success when discriminated against by the AAGPBL. The real world impact of A League of Their Own is incredible - even inspiring Maybelle Blaire, one of the original players in the AAGPBL, to publicly come out 95 years old!
Whilst an obvious choice for baseball fans, if you're a sucker for the 'found family', or 'friends to lovers' tropes then you're going to love this!
It's a Sin
The cast of It's a Sin. Photo: Channel 4
Set over a 10 year period from 1981 to 1991, It's a Sin follows a group of five friends living in London as they navigate their relationships, sexualities and friendships in the midst of the AIDS crisis. The single season drama was written by Russell T Davis (Doctor Who) and stars Olly Alexander (Years & Years), Nathaniel Curtis (The Witcher: Blood Origin) and Lydia West.
It's a Sin is available to watch for free on All 4, channel 4's streaming service.