Fall is firmly upon us and the cool weather is the perfect time for soup, sweaters and classic BBC dramas.

Luckily, Elizabeth Gaskell's works are up to the task, in the form of some iconic miniseries that will surely hit the spot. If you love a good British series that showcases romance, social class commentary and compelling characters of all ages then NPL has you covered!

If you like your romance with a strong shot of social class conversations, then North and South is the perfect entry point for you. Gaskell will regularly have her main characters’ be the child of a working class individual who is still considered a part of the gentry as “honorable gentlemen.”

This point of view puts them in the best place to mix with both the wealthy and the have-nots. A perfect spot for us to get an understanding of the social hierarchy and class system.

“North and South is a novel about rebellion. Moving from the industrial riots of discontented millworkers through to the unsought passions of a middle-class woman, and from religious crises of conscience to the ethics of naval mutiny, it poses fundamental questions about the nature of social authority and obedience.” (from novel description)

What makes Elizabeth Gaskell’s works stand out is that the young and old are both given care and attention to be fully realized individuals. Unlike some stories, the focus on a particular character doesn't mean that other age groups aren't given plenty of characterization, story and attention.

The value of showing these different age groups dealing with love, friendship and social norms is the allowance for a richer story.

“Cranford, in 1842, is a market town in northwest England. It is a place governed by etiquette, custom and above all, an intricate network of ladies. It seems that life has always been conducted according to their social rules. For spinsters Deborah Jenkyns, the arbiter of correctness, and Matty, her demurring sister, the town is a hub of intrigue. Handsome new doctor Frank Harrison has arrived from London; a retired Captain and his daughters move in across the street and preparations for Lady Ludlows garden party are underway. The town has some secrets which are about to be revealed. But news comes that shakes the town, a railway line from Manchester is coming to Cranford.” (from novel description)

Wives and Daughters holds the distinction of having an actively involved father which feels in the minority in these types of stories. The story also feels far more intimate and contained than the other Gaskell projects. Wives and Daughters never fails to inspire some very passionate conversations when brought up.

“…this story centers around 17-year-old Molly Gibson, the only daughter of a respected country doctor. The well-ordered world of Molly's childhood is soon to be complicated by new people and unexpected situations. Most devastating is her father's decision to remarry after many years of widowhood. Molly's faltering efforts to cope gracefully with an impossible stepmother, a beguiling stepsister, burdensome secrets and burgeoning romance ring as true today as when Elizabeth Gaskell wrote the novel in 1865.” (from novel description)