Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama The Village, which became one of BBC’s most critically acclaimed period dramas that perfectly captures the turbulent transformation of English society in the early 20th century.
Originally premiering on BBC One on March 31, 2013, this historical drama series was created by Peter Moffat, the acclaimed writer behind “Silk.” The series stars an ensemble cast including Maxine Peake, John Simm, and David Ryall in a sweeping narrative that spans decades. The Village ran for two seasons with a total of 12 episodes, each averaging 60 minutes in length. The first season consisted of 6 episodes, followed by a second and final season of 6 episodes that aired in 2014. Currently available on multiple streaming platforms including Peacock Premium, Prime Video, BritBox, and The Roku Channel, the series offers viewers an intimate look at how historical events shaped ordinary lives.
The series follows the residents of one English village across the 20th century and their turbulent lives, focusing particularly on the Middleton family and their neighbors in a Derbyshire village from 1914 onwards. What makes The Village exceptional is its unflinching examination of social class, mental health, and the devastating impact of World War I on rural English communities.
Bert Middleton’s Coming-of-Age Journey
The Village tells the story of life in a Derbyshire village through the eyes of a central character, Bert Middleton, played by Bill Jones as a young boy and later by Nico Mirallegro as a teenager. Bert serves as both narrator and protagonist, guiding viewers through the dramatic changes that transform his village and family. His character development from an innocent child to a young man shaped by war and tragedy forms the emotional backbone of the series.
Bert’s perspective allows the series to explore themes of class consciousness, education, and social mobility in early 20th-century England. His relationships with both the working-class villagers and the aristocratic families reveal the rigid social hierarchies that defined the era. The character’s growth throughout the series reflects the broader transformation of English society during this pivotal period in history.
Grace Middleton’s Fight for Dignity
Maxine Peake delivers a powerhouse performance as Grace Middleton, Bert’s mother and the moral center of the village community. Grace represents the strength and resilience of working-class women who held their families together despite overwhelming challenges including poverty, domestic violence, and social prejudice. Peake’s portrayal captures the quiet dignity and fierce protective instincts of a woman determined to create a better life for her children.
Grace’s character arc explores themes of women’s rights, domestic abuse, and the struggle for economic independence in a male-dominated society. Her relationship with her alcoholic husband Joe and her growing awareness of her own worth create some of the series’ most compelling dramatic moments. Peake’s nuanced performance shows how personal transformation can mirror broader social change.
The Great War Changes Everything
The series reaches its most devastating and transformative moments when World War I arrives in the village, forever altering the lives of every character. The war doesn’t just take the men away to fight; it fundamentally changes the social order, economic structures, and personal relationships that defined village life. The series shows how global conflicts reshape intimate communities in ways both obvious and subtle.
The most powerful episodes occur when the reality of modern warfare clashes with the village’s traditional way of life. Soldiers return home changed by trauma, women take on new roles in the workforce, and the rigid class system begins to crack under the pressure of shared sacrifice and loss. These moments capture the series’ central theme about how historical forces shape individual destinies.
Supporting Characters and Village Life
John Simm delivers a memorable performance as Joe Middleton, Grace’s troubled husband whose struggles with alcoholism and violence reflect the broader challenges facing working-class men in this era. The supporting cast, including Charlie Murphy and Juliet Stevenson, creates a rich tapestry of village life that feels both historically authentic and emotionally resonant.
The series excels at showing how personal dramas intersect with historical events, creating a microcosm of English society during one of its most transformative periods. Each character represents different aspects of early 20th-century life, from progressive landowners to conservative villagers struggling to maintain tradition in changing times.
Critical Acclaim and BBC Success
BBC One’s critically acclaimed epic Sunday night drama series starring Maxine Peake and John Simm was renewed for a second season, with the series receiving mainly positive reviews after the first episode. The show was praised for its authentic portrayal of rural English life and its sophisticated handling of complex social issues.
The Village featuring Maxine Peake and John Simm has episodes streaming with subscription on Prime Video, Peacock Premium, and BritBox, allowing new audiences to discover this critically acclaimed drama. The series demonstrated BBC’s commitment to high-quality period drama and helped establish Peter Moffat as one of Britain’s premier television writers.
A Historical Epic Worth Experiencing
If you love richly detailed period dramas that explore the intersection of personal and political history, The Village is the perfect series to binge on Peacock Premium or Prime Video. This beautifully crafted drama offers viewers a chance to experience the transformation of English society through the intimate lens of one small community’s struggles and triumphs.
Why This Masterpiece Demands Your Time
The Village succeeds because it treats history not as distant events but as lived experience that shapes real people’s lives in profound ways. This brilliantly crafted series offers viewers an unforgettable journey through one of England’s most turbulent periods while exploring timeless themes of love, loss, and the search for dignity in difficult circumstances.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 12 episodes (Season 1: 6 episodes, Season 2: 6 episodes)
Platform: Peacock Premium, Prime Video, BritBox, The Roku Channel (originally BBC One)
Release Years: 2013-2014
Current IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Historical Drama, Period Drama
Status: Completed (2 seasons)
Protagonists: Maxine Peake (Grace Middleton), Bill Jones/Nico Mirallegro (Bert Middleton)
Supporting Cast: John Simm (Joe Middleton), David Ryall, Charlie Murphy