“The Buccaneers,” currently streaming on Apple TV, is a modern adaptation of Edith Wharton’s classic novel. Following the lives of two socialite sisters, Jinny and Nan, and their friends from the high society of New York to the more uptight and “posh” high society of London, viewers go on a journey with the young women through their romances, friendships and complicated familial obligations. If you loved “Bridgeton,” you’ll love this period piece with the costumes, attractive leads and more modern takes on the classic storyline.
The series starts with Conchita (Alisha Boe), a close friend of lead Nan St. George (played by Kristine Froseth), who gets married to the British Lord Richard Marable. Conchita is to return to London with her new husband, and at the behest of her new in-laws, she brings along her friends and their families. Though Nan is the primary lead, several storylines take place following Conchita’s struggle to fit in with London society due to her race and American qualities. There's other drama weaved throughout, with sisters Lizzy and Mable as they find their place in this foreign land and Nan's sister Jinny getting involved with Richard’s morally reprehensible brother James. It’s essentially like “Little Women” with more scandal, families involved and set predominantly in England.
A fair warning on the content of this series: there are some heavier themes viewers may find triggering. Despite the serious themes, director Susanna White beautifully morphs the various storylines to tell a tale of female empowerment and challenge the status quo of roles set before the leads. The leading women and side characters represent a refreshing sense of unbridled perseverance and trailblazing. And as the leads are Americans, they impart on their British constituents a sense of freedom and self-exploration. Even more than “Bridgerton,” it encapsulates the most enchanting aspects of socialite life in the 1800s while telling a tale that contains hardships the modern viewer can identify themselves with, making it 10/10 worth the watch.