The Crimson Petal and the White - Region 0

Inevitably, the screen adaptation diverges from the exact plot of the book, but the quality of the screenwriting here is genuinely excellent. Added to that, the production values stretch the budget far beyond the norm.

It’s a captivating drama. Spread across four episodes, The Crimson Petal and the White feels like a labour of love for those involved, not least the terrific cast. Headlining here are Romola Garai, brilliant as Sugar, and The I.T. Crowd’s Chris O’Dowd. In supporting roles, you’ll easily spot Richard E. Grant and Gillian Anderson, too.

Overall, it’s a fine piece of work. The story is interesting, the adaptation is strong, and the execution of it very good indeed. And best of all, it shines a light on a terrific piece of literature, that deserves a wider audience. Both the book and TV series are both worth a purchase. --Jon Foster