Watch The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
- 2012
- 1 Season
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8.8 (3,278)
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a popular web series that premiered in 2012 on YouTube. The show, based on Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice, follows the life of a modern-day Lizzie Bennet, played by Ashley Clements. In this modern adaptation, Lizzie is a graduate student studying mass communication and is documenting her life on video as part of a research project. The show unfolds through a series of video blog entries, or vlogs, posted by Lizzie on YouTube. The vlogs feature Lizzie, her best friend Charlotte Lu (played by Julia Cho) and her sisters Jane (played by Laura Spencer) and Lydia (played by Mary Kate Wiles).
The show takes place in California and is set in the year 2012, making it a contemporary and relatable retelling of the classic story. The show not only updates the story to modern times but also offers a new perspective by using a format that is familiar to many viewers.
Throughout the series, Lizzie navigates relationships, both romantic and familial, while dealing with the pressures of grad school and the chaos that her family often brings. Her mother, played by Lesley Tsina, is just as overbearing and obsessed with marriage as Mrs. Bennet from the novel. Mr. Bennet, played by Christopher Sean, is a bit more laid back than his literary counterpart but still offers the same wry sense of humor.
One of the most innovative aspects of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is its use of social media to tell the story. The show's creators, Hank Green and Bernie Su, seamlessly weaved together Twitter, Tumblr and other social media platforms with the vlogs to make the story feel even more authentic. The characters have their own Twitter accounts and interact with each other online, creating a rich and engaging world that fans can explore.
In addition, the show also features "spin-off" videos that spotlight some of the supporting characters. These videos, such as "The Lydia Bennet" and "The Collins & Collins Show," offer a deeper look into the world of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and allow fans to get to know the characters even better.
Overall, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a fantastic reimagining of a classic story. It combines modern sensibilities with Austen's timeless characters to create something truly unique. The use of social media adds a layer of interactivity that few other shows have managed to replicate. Fans of the original novel will appreciate the nods to the source material, while newcomers to the story will find a fresh and engaging world to explore.
The show received critical acclaim and won several awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media in 2013. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries has become a cultural phenomenon and continues to be beloved by fans around the world.
