Swoon-Worthy

In the Season 5 finale of the Swoon-Worthy Podcast, we're joined by Kelly and Ragon from Kindred Spirits Book Club Podcast for a special crossover episode. ogether, we revisit the beloved 1985 miniseries Anne of Green Gables and explore what makes it the perfect period drama.

From favorite scenes and themes of family and friendship to Megan Follows’ unforgettable and relatable portrayal of Anne, we dive into why this story conti...

This week on Swoon-Worthy, or should I say Spook-Worthy, we sink our teeth into Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu (2024) — and trace the vampiric lineage through a century of cinematic adaptations. From the eerie 1922 Nosferatu silent film to Werner Herzog’s haunting 1979 remake, and from Bela Lugosi’s iconic 1931 Dracula to Gary Oldman in Coppola’s lush 1992 version, we explore how each film reimagines the vampire myth for its moment. We b...

In this episode of Swoon-Worthy, we uncap the drama of Netflix’s House of Guinness, the sweeping historical drama series that follows the powerful Guinness siblings in 19th-century Ireland. We share our favorite scenes and dive deep into character arcs, sibling dynamics, and the tangled romances involving strong women, ambitious brothers, and the intriguing Mr. Rafferty (James Norton). We gush over the standout costuming (especiall...

In this episode of Swoon-Worthy, we unwrap the rich layers of Chocolat (2000), Lasse Hallström’s enchanting adaptation of Joanne Harris’s novel. Set in a conservative French village during Lent, the film follows Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche), a mysterious chocolatier whose confections — and compassion — begin to melt the town’s rigid traditions. We explore the film’s blend of romance and rebellion and the unforgettable performan...

In this episode of Swoon-Worthy, we step into the candle-lit halls of a Virginia girls’ boarding school during the Civil War to explore Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled (2017). With her signature aesthetic — soft light, simmering tension, and female-centered storytelling — Coppola reimagines this Southern Gothic tale with a fresh perspective that’s both haunting and quietly radical. We compare her adaptation to the 1966 novel and the 1...

In this heartfelt episode of Swoon-Worthy, we return to the Grantham estate one last time to unpack Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Joined by fellow longtime fans, we share personal reflections on this beloved period drama as we explore the film’s emotional send-off, the character arcs that made us swoon (and sob), and the costumes that reminded us why we fell in love with the iconic Upstairs and Downstairs world. From teary goodb...

In this special bonus episode of Swoon-Worthy, we’re back with another roundup of the most tantalizing period drama news lighting up our timelines. September’s edition dives into PBS Masterpiece’s lavish reimagining of The Forsytes, Emerald Fennell’s provocative and polarizing take on Wuthering Heights, Guillermo del Toro's spooky spin on Frankenstein, and Netflix’s freshly announced adaptation of The Age of Innocence. We’re br...

In this episode of Swoon-Worthy, we wander through the windswept moors with Emily (2022), Frances O’Connor’s hauntingly poetic directorial debut — a bold and imaginative reimagining of Emily Brontë’s life and legacy. We unpack the film’s lush costuming, atmospheric visuals, and Emma Mackey’s mesmerizing performance. We dive deep into Emily’s complex relationships with her siblings Charlotte, Anne, and Branwell, and explore the film...

Set sail with us as we dive deep into the high seas of nostalgia with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) — a swashbuckling, genre-defying movie that still holds up over 20 years later. In this episode, we celebrate Keira Knightley, our reigning period drama queen, in one of her most iconic roles, and explore how Penny Rose's costume design and the unforgettable score helped bring the Golden Age of Piracy ...

In this special bonus episode of Swoon Worthy, we hit pause on our usual deep dives to bring you all the latest buzz from the world of period dramas. From Netflix’s The House of Guinness series dropping this September to the highly anticipated feature film Hamnet arriving in December, we’re breaking down the exciting announcements, expected release dates, and casting reveals. We dish on the stars we’re most excited to see, the stor...

Step through the ivy-covered door with us as we revisit the 1993 adaptation of The Secret Garden — a film that bloomed in our childhoods and still holds us under its spell. In this nostalgic episode of Swoon Worthy, we gush over the breathtaking cinematography, rich production design, and the memorable performances, especially Dame Maggie Smith’s unforgettable, BAFTA nominated role as Mrs. Medlock.

We unpack the film scene by scene...

In this episode of Swoon-Worthy, we head to the Victorian-era English countryside to bask in windswept fields, smoldering stares, and emotional turmoil with Far from the Madding Crowd (2015). Carey Mulligan’s Bathsheba Everdene is the definition of independent heroine energy—and she’s got not one, not two, but three very different suitors vying for her heart.

We swoon over the stunning and unique costumes, the romantic music, and en...

For our Season 5 opener, Swoon-Worthy is diving headfirst into the opulence and intrigue of The Gilded Age Season 3. In this full recap, we break down every scandal, soirée, and stare-down from the season so far—just in time for the big finale.

Join us as we revisit the most jaw-dropping moments, swoon over the most dazzling costumes, and crown our favorite characters (Team Bertha, anyone?). Whether you’re a die-hard fan or need a q...

We got our first official look at the upcoming Netflix miniseries adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice starring Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet, Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy, Olivia Coleman as Mrs. Bennet... and just announced: Rufus Sewell as Mr. Bennet. We just had to talk about this latest period drama news and casting update.

We share our thoughts on how this new version will hold up to the iconic 1995 BBC miniseri...

Daisy Edgar-Jones has just been announced as Elinor Dashwood in an upcoming film adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility to be produced by Focus Features (the company that brought us the 2005 Pride & Prejudice adaptation with Keira Knightley). We just had to talk about this latest period drama news and casting update.

We share our thoughts on how this new version will hold up to the iconic 1995 movie that starre...

In this episode of Swoon Worthy, we dive deep into the sumptuous world of The Duchess (2008), starring the ever-enchanting Keira Knightley as Georgiana Cavendish, the stylish and scandalous 18th-century icon who captivated society with her fashion sense, political influence, and fierce devotion as a mother.

We swoon over the stunning costumes (those gowns!), dissect the film’s lush music score, and unravel the complicated web of lov...

This week on Swoon Worthy, we're stepping into the world of The Law According to Lidia Poët, a captivating Italian-language period drama that’s just been renewed for a third season on Netflix. Join us as we explore Lidia Poët’s journey, the historical context that inspired her groundbreaking career as Italy’s first female lawyer, and how the show uses bold costuming and makeup to amplify her revolutionary spirit. We’ll also dive in...

In this episode of Swoon-Worthy, we’re trading our corsets for armor and heading into the jousting tournaments of 2001’s A Knight’s Tale. Join us as we swoon over Heath Ledger’s charming performance and recount the film’s quirky use of 70’s rock music and Y2K hairstyles and fashion in classic medieval times. From the streets of 14th-century Europe to the heart of our favorite underdog story, we dive into everything that makes this ...