BBC period drama based on 'greatest of English detective novels' streaming now

The drama, which aired on BBC One, is an adaptation of Wilkie Collins' 1868 novel.

By Katie Palmer, Senior TV Reporter for Screen Time

08:00, Mon, Jul 13, 2026

A woman leans against a man in a suit

The miniseries is based on a classic novel (Image: BBC)

Fans of period dramas and detective stories are urged to watch a miniseries based on a book described by poet T.S. Eliot as the first and greatest of English detective novels. The five-episode drama follows a young English woman who inherits a highly valuable and religiously significant Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday.

However, when the diamond goes missing during her party, a period of turmoil ensues as the investigation into the theft deepens. The Moonstone is the series in question, and it stars Terenia Edwards as Rachel Verinder, the young woman at the heart of the story. Made for BBC One, the series originally aired on BBC One, but it is now available to buy in full on Prime Video.

A group of people in period dress party outdoors

The series originally aired on BBC One (Image: BBC)

The period drama was filmed in beautiful North Yorkshire, with shoots at Thornton Watlass Hall, a Grade I listed Georgian country house.

Wilkie Collins' original novel has been described on Goodreads as a "spellbinding tale of romance, theft, and murder inspired a hugely popular genre–the detective mystery".

Poet T.S.Eliot is known to have said in one of his essays about the book: "The one of Collins’s books which is the most perfect piece of construction, and the best balanced between plot and character, is The Moonstone."

Viewers have taken to IMDb reviews to share their thoughts on the series, with one saying: "So... I happened upon my mom watching this and became so invested that I read the book, then rewatched the show.

"It's one of the greatest mysteries in classic literature, and this miniseries does it total justice."

A large group of people in period clothing

The series is said to be very true to the book (Image: BBC)

Over on Reddit, another fan added: "Loved it! I think it's one of the most underrated adaptations, definitely worth a watch."

A third shared: "The series is very true to the book! I think it’s a great adaptation!" While a fourth urged people to watch: "Do it, do it, do it (When I started it, I stayed up way too late watching it!)"

The series also stars Miranda actress Sarah Hadland as Drusilla Clack and James Bond star David Calder as Mr Bruff.

The BBC deliberately scheduled the series at an earlier time during its original run to appeal to a younger audience as part of its #LoveToRead initiative.

The Moonstone is available to buy on Prime Video