Downton Abbey creator’s ‘underrated’ period drama based on ‘perfect’ 1858 novel

Although best known as the creator and writer of the smash hit period drama Downton Abbey Julian Fellowes has several other TV endeavours on his CV, including an almost forgotten 2016 adaptation of a beloved 1858 Anthony Trollope novel. Doctor Thorne was a three-part ITV series which starred Tom Hollander in the titular role. It was later re-edited as a four-part series for American audiences and for its presentation on Prime Video, each of the four parts had an introduction and an epilogue featuring Julian himself.

Prime Suspect 1973 star Stefanie Martini played his penniless niece Mary Thorne, who was his late brother's illegitimate child and grew up under his guardianship. She spends much of her formative years in the company of the Gresham family at Greshamsbury Park estate. However, her lack of wealth and the Gresham family's financial woes threaten to tear apart key relationships. Although she becomes engaged to Frank Gresham (Harry Richardson), his family are opposed to the union as they need money from a match in order to retain their ancestral seat.

The author of the source material considers it his best work, and it is a profound examination of the relationship between money and love.

Critics also regard it highly. Writing for the Trollope Society, Dr Ellen Moody described it as a masterpiece of a novel.

It also has numerous five-star reviews on Amazon. One fan wrote: "To wallow in this world of 19th-century rural England with all the social rules, limitations and etiquette was very enjoyable and I found myself sitting for hours lapping it up."

Another added: "It is not only magnificent in its own right but a continuing and relevant critique of current problems of class, money and the church." A third chimed in: "The best of the Bartsetshire novels... Optimistic and romantic, whereas the world is shown in most of the others in a cynical and disillusioned way."

However, reviews for the adaptation have been more mixed. Writing on IMDB, one viewer penned: "After a slow beginning, Julian Fellowes's adaptation of a lesser-known Trollope novel proves extremely entertaining."

Another added: "For readers of Trollope's novels, it can be a bit of a shock to see them somewhat sensationalised and in a necessarily condensed format. But the needs of present-day audiences require it. Consequently, though, the result is often a sort of high-brow soap opera and Fellowes' Dr Thorne is no exception...If you like the Downton Abbey genre, you'll see this and like it. End of story."

A third chimed in: "The opening scene with what looked like a bad CGI background almost made me give this show up. Yet I was in the mood for a British period show, so I did not. What followed was a sweet, nice show, even somewhat engaging, yet as the same time completely devoid of substance."

However, a fourth absolutely loved it, writing: "Everyone can be proud of this series, and everyone should see it."