Escape into Period Pieces

In today's episode Stephanie looks at MISS AUSTEN which aired on PBS in May. The 4 episode mini-series is based on Gill Hornby's novel, "Miss Austen," which follows Cassandra Austen (Jane Austen's sister) in 1840 as she searches for the letters Jane wrote to her friends and family. In history, Cassandra Austen is known for burning the majority of Jane's correspondence and...

Welcome back to the podcast Brian Hicks as he joins Stephanie in discussing the 1999 film adaptation of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park starring Frances O'Connor, Jonny Lee Miller, Alessandro Nivola, Embeth Davidtz, and Harold Pinter. This film differs a lot from the novel, and is controversial among Jane Austen purists. Just like, Persuasion (2022) Stephanie and Brian discuss it all and this...

Reminiscent to the Summer Highlights and End of Year Wrap Up (2024) episodes from season 1 of the podcast as well as the 'Mid-year Freak Out Tag' on Booktube, listen to Stephanie's highlights of the year so far. She breaks them down into categories like: Best Surprise of the Year, What Made You Cry, Longest Deep Dive, Best Sequels, Best of the Year (so far) and Anticipated Watches; just to name a...

Welcome back to the podcast, returning guest, Dahlia Hamza Constantine as she and Stephanie discuss season 5 of the PBS Masterpiece Mystery series, "Miss Scarlet." This is a favorite show of the podcast and one that Stephanie and Dahlia have talked about at length, so it's bound to be an exciting deep dive. Do you need to catch up on what happened in the previous seasons? Then listen...

In today's episode listen to Stephanie discuss the new Netflix show, "The Lady's Companion" or "Manual para Senoritas." This 8 episode Spanish Romantic Comedy Period Drama premiered March 28th and is a fun time (especially after recovering from all the Tudor Era content). The Lady's Companion is set in 1880s Madrid and follows Elena Bianda who is a chaperone before...

Journey back into the Yorkshire Dales and to Skeldale House with season 5 of "All Creatures Great & Small." Stephanie and returning guest, Drea Mayer, discuss their favorite and least favorite parts of the most recent season (that ended earlier this year) as well as predictions for season 6 and react to listener thoughts! Remember you can always submit your thoughts via Instagram or...

Welcome back to another Virtual Book Club episode! This time Stephanie and returning guest, Dahlia Hamza Constantine, are discussing "The Spectacular" by Fiona Davis. "The Spectacular" is set primarily in 1956 New York City with some flashforwards to 1992. Main character, 19 year-old Marion Brooks is a dance teacher in Manhattan and when she loses her job, she tried out to be a...

Tudor March continues with today's Deep Dive on the Tudors on Screen as Stephanie and her returning guest, Stephanie Rekowicz, discuss and rank their favorites as well as explore why people are obsessed with this time period. With PBS Masterpiece's latest series: "Wolf Hall: The Mirror & The Light" premiering March 23rd, get prepared with a look at the first series and other...

What better way to get prepared for the new PBS Masterpiece Series "Wolf Hall: The Mirror & The Light" then having a history deep dive episode about The Tudors! Henry VIII may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about this reign, but there's so much more to it! Join Stephanie in a "Crash Course" on this time in history (1485-1603) as she explores this fa...

"Do you believe in miracles?" Find out in today's episode as Stephanie and her returning guest Emily Heyden discuss one of their favorite films, Disney's "Miracle." "Miracle" tells the true story of Coach Herb Brooks lead the 1980 US Olympic Mens Hockey Team take on the invincible Soviet Union in Lake Placid, NY. Even if you aren't a hockey fan or love spo...

Who is Princess Elisabeth "Sisi" von Wittelsbach? Learn about the Empress of Austria-Hungary in today's episode as Stephanie discusses the Netflix show "The Empress." In the first biopic of season 2, be prepared to hear her reactions to the 2 season Netflix show as well as reacting to listeners' thoughts and comparing the historical context. There is both a spoiler-free and spoiler section. When d...

In today's first guest episode of season 2 (and 2025) join Stephanie and her guest, Chelsea Moyer, discuss one of their favorite things: SCORES! Stephanie loves talking about the music in period pieces (as she does in several past episodes), so it was about time that an entire episode was dedicated to it. Enjoy listening to Stephanie and Chelsea geek out over their favorite songs, why they love sc...

Happy New Year! To kick off the start of season 2 join Stephanie reflect back on how she'd answer the question: What's the first period piece or piece of historical fiction she remembers falling in love with? Are any of the ones spoken about today your childhood favorites? Let us know in the comments! Hope you enjoy :) References: American Girl Dolls For more watch: Babbity Kate YouTube Video: htt...

Welcome to the last episode of the year! Join Stephanie as she looks back on season 1, discusses shows, movies, and books that haven't been discussed yet, look towards the future (season 2), and give out some awards. Thanks for being here and can't wait to continue the journey in 2025! (Sorry about the audio quality at the beginning. It gets clearer by 2 minutes.) References: A Complete Unknown (B...

Does Jane Austen's Persuasion work better on the page than on the screen? This is just one of the questions Stephanie and returning guest, Brian Hicks, discuss in today's episode. Before exploring Netflix's 2022 film, they will talk about their shared love of the novel, and experience with other Persuasion adaptations. Among Jane Austen fans, this film is not celebrated. Find out why in today's ep...

Welcome back to the podcast Drea Mayer in today's conversation about the Hulu TV show "The Artful Dodger," which just announced a second season is coming and will start filming in Australia in 2025! (If only Stephanie and Drea knew about that before this episode was filmed; spoiler alert, they're excited!) "The Artful Dodger" takes place about 15 years after Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist (bu...

Whether you've watched a ton of Masterpiece Theatre before or not, join Stephanie in today's episode and escape from the world as she looks back on the origins of Masterpiece Theatre (which started over 50 years ago) and see where it is today. The podcast has discussed A LOT of Masterpiece programs already this year, and will most likely discuss more in the future. Enjoy the videos from today's ep...

Get cozy and nostalgic with today's episode on Greta Gerwig's 2019 Little Women adaptation. Join Stephanie and her returning guest Pileigh Shahinian nerd out and gush over one of their favorite films. From analyzing the structure of the narrative, to discussing comparisons to the book (and other adaptations) as well as parts that make them happy, this episode is a fun time. It feels like the perfe...

Join Stephanie in her third Author Spotlight as she focuses on the life of Little Women author, Louisa May Alcott. In this episode learn more about Alcott's personal life, professional career and a brief overview of the Little Women screen adaptations. References: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why it Still Matters by Anne Boyd Rioux LIFE M...

In this episode, join Stephanie along with her guest, Stephanie Rekowicz, discuss the BBC TV series Merlin (2008-2012). Listen to them get nostalgic about their love for the show as well as answer the question if Merlin can be considered a period piece? Merlin takes a different approach to the Merlin/King Arthur legend by making the famous sorcerer a young man who must keep his magic a secret as i...

Join Stephanie in today's episode as she discusses the Masterpiece Mystery series, "Grantchester." A small town setting, found family, and murder, Grantchester has it all! The show follows Geordie Keating (played by Robson Green) and the local vicar (Season 9's Rishi Nair) solve crimes (specifically murders) in the quiet town of Grantchester, located around Cambridge (England). Y...

Buckle up for an emotional one as Stephanie and returning guest Dahlia Hamza Constantine discuss the second Virtual Book Club pick: Lovely War by Julie Berry. Lovely War takes place between World Wars I & II as Greek Goddess Aphrodite tells a story to her fellow gods about two couples during WWI. This novel was a rollercoaster of emotions. Whether you read (or listened) to Lovely War or not, b...

As summer winds down, join Stephanie as she discusses her favorite (and least favorite) TV shows, films, and books from the last 3 months. Summer went by so fast, but luckily there was a lot of good media out there. Hope you enjoy! References: Bridgerton My Lady Jane (Petition: https://www.change.org/p/official-amazon-prime-to-renew-my-lady-jane-for-a-second-season ) All Creatures Great & Smal...

Join Stephanie and her guest Emily Heyden discuss the PBS Masterpiece series Downton Abbey with a look back on the show (that ran from 2010-2016) before discussing the recent news of the latest/third movie currently in the works. [Buckle up for spoilers!] Downton Abbey is the home to the Crawley family as well as the staff who serves them (very much an upstairs/downstairs story). The show starts i...

Amazon Prime Video's latest show "My Lady Jane" is everywhere! Is it worth the watch? The show is based on the novel, My Lady Jane , by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, and retells the story of historical figure Lady Jane Grey with a fantasy twist. Lots of romance and humor fills this show and is definitely a good time. Episode Breakdown: Opening & Messages: 0:03 His...