Wives and Daughters

Watch Wives and Daughters

  • TV-PG
  • 1999
  • 1 Season
  • 8.1  (7,275)

Wives and Daughters is an engaging four-part series that originally aired on BBC in 1999. Based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel of the same name, the show follows the life of Molly Gibson, the daughter of a widowed country doctor, as she navigates the complexities of growing up, falling in love, and making her way in the world. Brilliantly adapted for the screen by Andrew Davies and directed by Nicholas Renton, Wives and Daughters is a captivating period drama that is sure to delight fans of Jane Austen and Downton Abbey.

The series opens with Molly (played by Justine Waddell) living a quiet life in the countryside, where she spends her days helping her father with his medical practice and keeping house. Her peaceful existence is disrupted when her father decides to remarry, bringing into their home a former governess named Hyacinth Clare (played by Francesca Annis) and her beautiful but manipulative daughter Cynthia (played by Keeley Hawes). Although Molly is initially wary of her new stepmother and stepsister, she soon becomes fast friends with Cynthia and begins to see her as the sister she’s always longed for.

As Molly grows up, she faces a series of challenges that test her resilience and her character. She must navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence, where she struggles with her feelings for two very different young men: the handsome and charismatic Roger Hamley (played by Anthony Howell), who comes from a wealthy family, and the quiet and studious Mr. Gibson (played by Tom Hollander), who is determined to follow in her father’s footsteps as a doctor. Meanwhile, Molly tries to make sense of the complicated relationships between the various members of her family, including her proud and domineering stepmother, her kind and devoted father, and her beloved stepsister Cynthia, whose beauty and ambition lead her down a path of betrayal and heartbreak.

One of the great strengths of Wives and Daughters is its attention to detail and its commitment to historical accuracy. From the beautiful costumes to the stunning countryside locations, the show is an immersive and engrossing portrayal of life in rural England in the mid-19th century. The cast is uniformly excellent, with standout performances from Annis as the icy and calculating Hyacinth, Hawes as the beautiful and mysterious Cynthia, and Waddell as the resilient and compassionate Molly. With its warm humor, rich characterizations, and stirring emotional power, Wives and Daughters is a true masterpiece of television drama.

Perhaps most striking about this series is its depiction of a world that is both familiar and alien to modern audiences. On the one hand, the show is a reflection of a bygone era, a time when women were expected to be dutiful and obedient, and when the strict social hierarchies of class and wealth governed nearly all aspects of life. On the other hand, the themes explored in Wives and Daughters are timeless and universal: love, betrayal, jealousy, and redemption. In this way, the series offers a unique window into the past while also illuminating the enduring human experiences that connect us all.

Overall, Wives and Daughters is a true gem of a series, a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant drama that will leave viewers spellbound. Whether you’re a fan of classic novels, period dramas, or simply great storytelling, this series is not to be missed. Featuring a talented cast, gorgeous scenery, and a compelling storyline that will keep you hooked until the very end, Wives and Daughters is a true masterpiece of television.

Wives and Daughters
Filter by Source
No sources available
Do you have Hulu?
What are you waiting for?
Nice! Browse Hulu with Yidio.
Ad Info - This show may not be available on Hulu
Seasons
Wives and Daughters Episode 4
4. Wives and Daughters Episode 4
December 19, 1999
While visiting rich relations in London, Cynthia meets a handsome man, Mr. Henderson. Ms. Browning is convinced that the young lady believed to be meeting with Mr. Preston at odd hours is Molly. After being caught in the midst of a passionate argument with Mr. Preston, a hysterical Cynthia confides in Molly. While trying to resolve Cynthia?s problems, Molly?s reputation is damaged, and a lighthearted Cynthia decides to break off her engagement with Roger. In light of his failing health, Osborne asks Molly for a favor. The Squire finally meets his daughter-in-law and grandson. Roger realizes his feelings for Molly, but circumstances at the Hamley Hall keep the two apart.
Wives and Daughters Episode 3
3. Wives and Daughters Episode 3
December 12, 1999
While preparing for the Easter Charity Ball, Molly witnesses Cynthia?s strange behavior after receiving a note from Mr. Preston claiming two dances. The same mood shift occurs again when Mr. Preston arrives at the ball. Nonetheless, Cynthia dances with him, revealing to Molly a possible history between the two. Roger regularly visits Cynthia when she falls into a decline. When he rushes over to share news of his appointment to a pioneering expedition in Africa, Mrs. Gibson turns him away. After eavesdropping on a conversation between Dr. Gibson and Osborne, Mrs. Gibson has a change of heart, apologizes to Roger and urges him to visit. Roger pays a final call to the Gibsons and proposes to Cynthia, which breaks Molly?s heart.
Wives and Daughters Episode 2
2. Wives and Daughters Episode 2
December 5, 1999
As she comforts Mrs. Hamley, who is upset about Osborne?s banishment from the house, Molly realizes the declining state of the frail woman?s health. Later, Molly finds herself comforting the entire grief-stricken family. Molly returns home to find that her new mother has made some changes to the household. Molly soon discovers the outwardly sweet woman is selfish and manipulative at heart, but she looks forward to the arrival of her new stepsister, Cynthia, who is studying abroad. A visit from a former acquaintance elicits strange reactions from both Cynthia and her mother. Roger encounters Cynthia at a local card party and is captivated by her. The reason for Osborne?s excessive spending and unexplained trips are revealed.
Wives and Daughters Episode 1
1. Wives and Daughters Episode 1
November 28, 1999
After a pupil confesses his love for Dr. Gibson?s daughter, seventeen year-old Molly is sent for an extended visit to Hamley Hall where she falls for Osborne, the charismatic eldest son of the Squire and Mrs. Hamley. The Hamley?s youngest son, Roger returns home with disturbing news about his brother Osborne. Molly immediately expects the worse when she learns of Mr. Gibson?s plans to wed Mrs. Kirkpatrick, a beautiful woman who briefly cared for an exhausted Molly after a grand garden party seven years ago in the summer of 1820.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    November 28, 1999
  • IMDB Rating
    8.1  (7,275)
Watch all of
Do you have Hulu?
Ad Info - This show may not be available on Hulu
No thanks, I'm not interested in Hulu