Vanity Fair

The author of Vanity Fair intended a novel without a hero, according to wikipedia. At first protagonist Becky Sharpe seems like a heroine - a smart, strong-willed woman aiming at success - but her flaws soon become apparent, and they are many. And most of the people she meets are either no better, or better but much dumber.

Becky is neither all bad nor all good, although her bad qualities are sometimes very, very bad. To me it seems Becky is doing her best in a society in which the only option for a woman - no matter how smart - to achieve upward mobility is through marriage, and Becky is a character who should be wheeling and dealing but instead spends her time on seduction and plotting. (I don't know if that's how she comes across in the book.)

Olivia Cooke is wonderful as Becky (she has a cheeky, sardonic quality reminiscent of Phoebe Waller-Bridge), and the rest of the cast is excellent.

Highly recommended.

I have just finished watching the first episode of this latest adaptation of William Makepeace Thackary's classic tale of fighting against the tide of traditional class prejudice in Regency England. Aside from the odd choice of a contemporary song to open proceedings, it was note-perfect. Olivia Cooke was the perfect choice to play Becky Sharp, delivering a version of the character that has never felt more right, complete with occasional knowing looks through the 4th wall. This is all the more remarkable for the fact that Olivia Cooke has not come through the traditional dramatic training for period roles, and has done a fantastic job of delivering the required 'received pronunciation' instead of her native Northern British accent. From what I've seen of her so far, she has a glittering career ahead of her. If the rest of this series is a well made and paced as the opener, then it ought to be lauded as the finest example of the genre in quite some time.

It's been great seeing this series doing something very different, how refreshing!! Claudia Jessie is a really good Amelia, and Olivia Cooke is equally good as Becky!

How refreshing to see how Gwyneth Hughes has revitalized the series, a perfect classic to adapt for ITV - even though people think BBC are better at this sort of thing! Clearly not here

The music is original! Enticing and fits with the originality of this version!

This modernised version should NOT be compared with either the movie or the other tv series version! It's completely different with both heart and soul!

I rather doubt there will be a better version.

So far Becky is a delightful little minx and Amelia is innocent and sweet, both actors playing their parts, very well!

There are so many brilliant actors, too many to mention. It's captivating, entertaining, funny and heart wrenching, can't wait to watch the rest

Glitzy, cutting and in this day and age relevant.

The casting is superior as is the dialogue and costumes.

Whilst I adore the film, this dramatisation is giving more depth to the story. I for one cannot wait for the third part. Welcome addition to a boring Sunday night.