'One of the greatest' BBC period dramas is 'must watch' on iPlayer

A cult novel transformed into a must watch BBC drama has won over viewers. The series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Ruth Wilson has an impressive 7.5 stars on IMBD. Viewers have lauded the series as “truly one of the greatest BBC” dramas and “incredible viewing.”

Angela Levy’s story follows Hortense (Naomi Harris) who in 1939, as an illegitimate yet intelligent and ambitious girl, is raised in Jamaica alongside the charismatic and free-thinking Michael (Ashley Walters), who joins the Air Force as war erupts and heads to England. Post-war, Hortense, now a certified teacher, enters into a marriage of convenience with Gilbert Joseph, funding his journey to England on the condition that he will send for her. She not only yearns to reunite with Michael but also believes that residing in Britain will offer her greater opportunities.

However, upon her arrival in London in 1948, she is deeply disheartened by their single-room accommodation and the blatant racial prejudice. Queenie, their liberal landlady, is no stranger to disappointment herself, having married the decent but dull and passionless Bernard to escape her family farm.

While Bernard - now presumed missing - served in the Air Force during the war, she began taking in lodgers from the armed forces for companionship, including Michael, with whom she had a sexual encounter.

One viewer who rated the series 10 out of 10 said: “Small Island is a truly incredible drama, it gives the story of the lives of a group of people from Jamaica during the second world war, the effects they have on one another, and on a group of locals.

“It tells the journey the brave Jamaican fighters undertook, and the gut wrenching racism they had from the people they bravely fought to defend. Some scenes in the second part will have you close to tears, and some will have you chuckling away, it's an incredible balance.

“I have watched many dramas over the years, and I'd have to say this is one of the most powerful I've seen, it tells a story that's often never told, but in light of the Windrush scandal it has an even more powerful impact.

“The acting is benchmark standard, it is no surprise that awards followed, Naomie Harris is a revelation, but all concerned are sensational, too many performances to note, but David Oyelowo will near bring you to tears.”

Benedict Cumberbatch appears as Bernard in both of the two parts which are 90 minutes long. It is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.