If you fancy some home viewing at the tail-end of the heatwave but don't want to tune in to the slew of live sport, then we might have the perfect treat for you in the form of a "delightful" British period drama.
Mr Malcolm's List is based on Suzanne Allain's 2009 novel of the same name, and is set in 19th century England as a trio of characters become entwined in a love triangle that has secrets bubbling under the surface.
Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) is one of the parties of this trio, as she is jilted by eligible bachelor Jeremy Malcolm (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù). She enlists close friend Selina Dalton (Freida Pinto) to exact her revenge, and Jeremy wonders if he's found love or a hoax.
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Written by Allain and directed by Emma Holly Jones, the film is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer, having aired on BBC Two earlier on Saturday (27 June). You'll have to hurry to watch it, however, as the listing will expire on 26 July.
Though it didn't make much of an impression at the box office upon its release in 2022, Mr Malcolm's List was praised by critics, with Rotten Tomatoes currently reporting an impressive approval rating of 83% from 117 reviews.
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"The charming performances make this a win for colourblind casting. On the list of period romcom requirements, the sweet love story ticks all the right boxes," noted Empire Magazine, while IndieWire called it "vital and delightful".
Arizona Republic echoed these sentiments as they were also full of praise in a four-star review, writing: "It's fun and romantic, with beautiful wardrobes and scenery and an outstanding cast. It checks almost all the right boxes."
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"The entire production, from costumes to set designs, is on par with tradition-of-quality prestige TV. It’s a pleasant enough diversion, that will likely be best remembered for colourblind casting done right," opined AV Club.
If you don't fancy a period drama, then BBC iPlayer has plenty of other offerings, with Steven Spielberg's classic '70s sci-fi Close Encounters of the Third Kind being added recently.
Mr Malcolm's List is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
