Watch Vanity Fair (2018)

TV-14
2018
1 Season
7.3 (5,614)

Vanity Fair is an Amazon Prime drama series that premiered in 2018, based on the classic novel by William Makepeace Thackeray. The show follows the life and adventures of an ambitious young woman named Becky Sharp, who is determined to climb the social ladder and achieve success despite her humble origins.

Becky is played by Olivia Cooke, who delivers a remarkable performance as the cunning and complex protagonist of the story. She is joined by a talented ensemble cast including Claudia Jessie as her friend Amelia Sedley, Tom Bateman as Captain Rawdon Crawley, Johnny Flynn as William Dobbin, Charlie Rowe as George Osborne, and Simon Russell Beale, Anthony Head, Martin Clunes, Frances de la Tour, and Michael Palin in a variety of supporting roles.

The show offers a rich and detailed portrait of life in early 19th century England, set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars and the Regency era. The visuals are stunning and the attention to detail is impressive, with the costumes, sets, and locations creating a vivid and immersive world for viewers to explore.

At its heart, though, Vanity Fair is a story about ambition, society, and human nature. Becky Sharp can be ruthless and manipulative, but she is also a survivor who refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of her goals. As she navigates the world of high society and encounters a range of colorful characters and scenarios, viewers are drawn into her world and are left rooting for her even as she makes questionable choices.

The show is notable for its strong female characters, with Becky and Amelia both embodying different aspects of womanhood and both grappling with the limitations of their gender and their society. The male characters are also complex and interesting, with relationships and power dynamics shifting and evolving throughout the series.

One of the standout aspects of the show is its humor, which ranges from subtle irony to laugh-out-loud moments. Becky in particular is quick-witted and sharp-tongued, and her interactions with other characters are often hilarious and cutting.

Overall, Vanity Fair is a rich and engrossing drama that offers a compelling look at a fascinating period in history through the eyes of a complex and unforgettable heroine. With an exceptional cast, beautiful production values, and a compelling story to tell, it is a must-watch for fans of period dramas and literature adaptations alike.

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Seasons

7. Endings and Beginnings

October 7, 2018

Becky is left alone in the world and living in greatly reduced circumstances when Steyne arranges for Rawdon to be shipped overseas. Dobbin discovers that Amelia plans to remarry, a revelation that inspires him to finally confess his feelings for her - but he is not prepared for her reaction. The Sedley family takes a holiday in Germany, where they are unexpectedly reunited with Becky - who gets the chance to perform a single good deed.

6. In Which a Painter's Daughter Meets a King

September 30, 2018

Becky masters the fine art of living well on nothing a year, proving that a respectable public appearance is all you need to get credit. Her flirtation with Lord Steyne at least provides a reliable source of income, but the Sedley family are less fortunate. With her finances in tatters, a devastated Amelia is forced to send her son to live with the Osbournes. Becky rises to the very top of high society, even securing a royal audience - but Steyne expects something in return for his patronage, and when Rawdon is accosted by bailiffs, he seizes his chance.

5. In Which Battles Are Won And Lost

September 23, 2018

As the Battle of Waterloo begins, Becky decides the war isn't so bad, so long as there's money to be made.

4. In Which Becky Joins Her Regiment

September 16, 2018

On the eve of the battle, Becky makes a triumphant entrance into high society and finds a new use for old friends.

3. A Quarrel About An Heiress

September 9, 2018

Becky lives with rich Aunt Matilda, and her future is looking bright. But as war clouds gather, everyone's fortunes take a tumble.

2. Miss Sharp Begins to Make Friends

September 3, 2018

In darkest Hampshire, Becky spends her days as governess to Sir Pitt Crawley's neglected daughters. Her employer's handsome youngest son, Rawdon, does his best to interest Becky in a flirtation. But Becky's ambition is to get into her employer's good books, and soon she is promoted to the position of Sir Pitt's indispensable secretary. In London, Amelia's childhood sweetheart, George Osborne, never replies to any of her letters. George's father now opposes their marriage because he suspects the Sedley family business is failing. When Mr Osborne calls in his loans, Amelia's father is ruined.Sir Pitt's snobbish sister, Matilda, pays a visit to Queen's Crawley. Everyone is on their very best behaviour, because they all yearn to be remembered in the rich old lady's will. Becky forms a new plan, and quickly charms her way to becoming Matilda's favourite new companion. Matilda sweeps Becky off in her carriage, to Sir Pitt's dismay.

1. Miss Sharp in the Presence of the Enemy

September 2, 2018

Lowly teaching assistant Becky issues headmistress Miss Pinkerton with an ultimatum - pay her properly to teach at her Academy for Young Ladies or find her a station elsewhere. Miss Pinkerton calls Becky's bluff, and Becky is forced to pack away her meagre possessions. Catching sight of kindly stockbroker's daughter Amelia Sedley, Becky dabs away her tears and laments her misfortune. Amelia takes pity on the poor orphan and offers to take her home for the week. She has nowhere else to go. Amelia's dreams are like any other girl's - she wants to be married and happy. But Becky wants to make sure tomorrow is better than today, and plans to seize the opportunity to better herself. Becky quickly makes herself at home at the Sedley house, where she targets Amelia's wealthy but oafish brother, Jos. With Amelia's enthusiastic help, Becky makes it her mission to charm Jos into proposing marriage before the week is out. Amelia persuades her snobbish fianc?, Lieutenant George Osborne, to take the whole party out for a romantic night at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens - the perfect chance for Becky to secure Jos's affections. George brings along his best friend Captain William Dobbin, who is secretly in love with Amelia. At Vauxhall Becky hangs on Jos's every word, willing him to propose to her. But Jos is much more interested in drinking rack punch and ends up making a drunken fool of himself. When George ridicules his choice of an impoverished bride and scares Jos off, Becky knows exactly who to blame for scuppering her plans.Becky must now leave the Sedley house and take up her position as governess at a rundown old mansion in darkest Hampshire. Alone in the world again, Becky catches sight of Captain Rawdon Crawley, her new master's dashing youngest son.

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