The Confessions of Frannie Langton (2022) User Reviews

A gothic romance that explores the racism of Georgian England

[JRB-NorthernSoul · 7/10 · 8 December 2022]

The series is adaped by the author Sara Collins from her own novel of the same name. Protagonist Frannie Langton is a heroine in the style of Jane Eyre who has faced a life crammed full of injustice and comes to be accused of murdering her master and mistress who was also her lover.

Its a strong premise and the series takes us back through her childhood up to the point of the murders and what really took place.

The first episode took a while to get going but stick with it a very strong story unfolds.

Production values were decent, the voiceover device was a bit overused but there was a good quality cast throughout.

The book was a hit and the adaptation is faithful so I'm sure it will find an audience. Wolf Hall it isn't, but there's no shame in that and it does what it says on the tin. Its a decent gothic drama/romance with a whodunnit storyline.

One to binge and enjoy if you like the genre.

I am a black woman and I was not that fond of it

[SverigeismyHjarta · 5/10 · 20 December 2022]

The sets and costumes were good I will say. But I did not like the actress playing Frannie. Maybe it was correct in line with the book, I do not know as I have not read the book. But from the start she was not likeable! Very holier than thou and did not get my desire to help her. She even was not trying to let friends, the lawyer help her when they tried. The mistress was spoiled and selfish in my view and I am not surprised was not going to have a lesbian relationship, mixed child etc with her. But I do not blame her as this is something only an option to women in the very very recent years.

Frannie should of been and was aware of the political times, and tried to do her best to live. I know we want to be living a certain way but you can not help when you are born.

I do understand the cruelty she experienced and that lead to some of her actions there in England. But murder is not the answer! Especially even with that confession she admits she was not honest with that.

As I said I am a black woman from the USA, and I have had some very awful things happen to me. Really awful including attempted murder on me. And I got zero justice even when the cops put a case for that, the judge, legal system felt my bf was "stressed and felt to try to kill me was his only option" this was in 2005. So things are not that in improved at least in the USA. I do feel in UK they have improved though. My point is even when told and given the chance to seek revenge I did NOT. As even though I was greatly hurt, me hurting was not the correct answer.

No one would excuse me for deeply hurting someone that hurt me directly and I would be ashamed if I did. So no sorry I can not feel for her in this situation!

That said I was hoping for a more interesting ending! Like it would turn out to NOT be her, like someone else framing her or something. But nope was not. Was a bit hmm not that great.

It's an excellent adaptation.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 7 September 2023]

Frannie Langton is brought over from The West Indies, and placed in service with The Benham family, a wealthy, society family, but an unhappy one. After the couple are found dead, Frannie is arrested for murder.

I didn't fancy it when it went out, foolishly as it turns out, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

An intriguing drama, with two principle elements, it's both a love story and a murder mystery. The love story is perhaps the principal interest, a love between two women in the late nineteenth century, it's powerful and heartbreaking. The mystery is also so engaging, I'm sure you'll form several different theories as it develops.

Powerful, moving and thought provoking, it's a great drama.

I would really urge you to eas the book, it's somewhat different to this drama adaptation, very much worth your time.

Karla-Simone Spence does a terrific job as Frannie, as does Sophie Cooking, their love story is impeccably played out. The supporting cast of Jodhi May and Pooky Quesnel are excellent.

It's a stunning production, it looks amazing, the sets and costumes are incredible, some of the most amazing wigs you'll ever see.

An exceptional drama.

9/10.

Beautiful and tragic

[afranciscollins · 10/10 · 17 December 2022]

This is a haunting tale. It will stay with you long after you have finished the last episode. There are so many quotable moments and some truly masterful performances. A highly recommended watch!

Frannie is a character that is fresh and new. She has a story to tell and it is one that you are going to want to hear. Her story is not as straightforward as you might think and a few of the reveals will surprise you along the way! Karla Simone Spence deserves high praise and I look forward to seeing what she does next. Sophie as Madame is heartbreaking to watch - she knows exactly how to breathe life into her character. George Benham, Linux, Sal, Hep, Langton - there are too many top tier performances to discuss! Also - read the book!

It boggles my mind how this beautiful series is still woefully under-watched

[dani_fz · 9/10 · 15 December 2022]

I just finished watching this series and I'm struck by how underrated it seems to be. I mean, considering how entertaining it is and the strong positive social commentaries that it makes coupled with its decent visual appeal, one cannot help but wonder how so many people seem to not yet have watched it.

To highlight a few things that stood out for me about the series, I begin by noting that the murder mystery aspect of its plot is something that, alone, is enough for me to recommend it to most people. Next, I was taken in by the cast's performances, especially those by Karla-Simone Spence (Frannie Langton) and Sophie Cookson (Madame Marguerite Benham). Speaking of these two, the bittersweet lesbian romantic relationship between them in the series is one of the most compelling and memorable LGBTQ relationships that I've recently seen in a TV series.

There's a lot to be said too by how skillfully Sara Collins weaves the intersectional connections between race, gender, socioeconomic class, and sexuality into the series' plot in a manner that succeeds in being entertaining and in making some positive and powerful social commentaries. Indeed, I was many times throughout the series moved by how impressionably these connections define the characters' behaviors and help move the plot in often tension-inducing but enlightening and educative directions. And the climax of Sara Colin's writing in this regard, I feel I must mention, is the scene in the final episode in which Frannie gives a final bold and fearless speech to a room full of white men that hold the fate of her life in their hands. To say that I was moved by this scene is an understatement and I would recommend the series highly to most people if not for anything else, but for the pleasure of experiencing this scene for themselves.

When all is said and done, this is a great series in entertainment, educational, and artistic terms. I highly recommend it to all those looking for compelling, albeit tragic, lesbian dramas that give more to the viewer than mere titillation. I also highly recommend it to lovers of whodunit murder mysteries that are looking for a story that does not rely on common tropes and cliché's in the genre. Finally, I highly recommend the series to anyone interested in the exploration of the complexities behind how gender, social, racial, and socioeconomic issues intersect in individuals' lives, particularly women, in often inescapable and significant ways.

Brilliant

[emmacarter-93041 · 9/10 · 23 February 2023]

Absolutely brilliant mini series keeps you interested & thinking! I really enjoyed it & it had me gripped to it intriguing watch & storyline! I may even watch it again soon I liked it that much. However I didn't expect the end really quite shocked by it when it all came out. But also a little sad it's one of them it's wrong but sad series! It's wrong but you feel for the character as she has had a horrible life! But wrong is still wrong & thats what justice is about. But wow brilliant mini series. Definitely worth watching & highly recommended. Also love the era it was set in as would of been more very intense in those days the storyline. 9/10 for me really liked it.