Star-studded period drama with 86% Rotten Tomatoes score | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

An underappreciated drama featuring Anya Taylor-Joy is now on BBC iPlayer and available to view at no cost.

The 29-year-old Argentinian actress, who grew up in the UK, has rapidly become one of the most sought-after film stars of her generation.

She first made waves in the gothic horror film The Witch in 2015, and further cemented her status as a horror icon with roles in Split and its sequel Glass.

Eager to showcase her versatility, Taylor-Joy delivered critically acclaimed performances in the dark comedy Thoroughbreds and the popular BBC series Peaky Blinders.

However, it was her portrayal of Beth Harmon in Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit that truly propelled Taylor-Joy into the limelight, earning her a Golden Globe for the chess drama, reports the Manchester Evening News.

In recent years, she’s starred in Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, the Viking epic The Northman, and alongside Ralph Fiennes in The Menu.

After achieving box office success with The Super Mario Bros. Movie and leading Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Taylor-Joy is currently involved in the third Dune film. As her star continues to rise with each project, it’s time to revisit a film that often gets overlooked in discussions about her career.

Based on the iconic Jane Austen novel of the same name, the 2020 period drama Emma features Taylor-Joy in the role of Miss Emma Woodhouse.

For those yet to see it, Emma tells the story of a wealthy and elegant young woman living with her father in Regency-era England.

Taking delight in playing matchmaker and interfering in others’ love lives, Emma stands as one of the finest adaptations of Austin’s revered work.The cast is rounded out by Johnny Flynn from The Dig, Josh O’Connor from Challengers, Dua Lipa’s fiancé Callum Turner, Mia Goth from Pearl, Miranda Hart from Call the Midwife, and Bill Nighy from Love Actually.

Directed by Autumn de Wilde in her first feature film, Emma was met with positive reviews, earning a score of 86% based on 257 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

The critical consensus states: “Other adaptations may do a better job of consistently capturing the spirit of the classic source material, but Jane Austen fans should still find a solid match in this Emma.”

Nominated for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 93rd Academy Awards, the film is an ideal choice for anyone wishing to be transported back to the 1800s.

Emma is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer