Dominic West achieved household name status with The Wire, the show that set the standard for the modern police procedural, and has continued to do excellent work since with roles in The Affair and The Crown. He's truly as versatile as they come, and one of his more recent shows, despite brilliant reviews, feels a little overlooked in his oeuvre. It's a little sad, very funny, and an absolute must-see for fans of romantic dramas.

The Pursuit of Love is an adaptation of Nancy Mitford's novel of the same name, with a staggering ensemble cast representing some of the very best British and Irish talent at the moment, but the unfortunate timing of the pandemic affected production and meant that it didn't quite the promotional run that it deserved. But worry not! Now you've got another underrated miniseries gem to sink your teeth into. Read on to find out all about The Pursuit of Love.

What is The Pursuit of Love about?

Adapted from the postwar novel of the same name, the series follows an upper-class English family, specifically two young cousins, in 1941 as they navigating friendship, romance and ambition. It's a true tragicomedy, almost like a wartime Fleabag: melancholy but hilarious, and a real gut-punch a times.

Who is in the cast of The Pursuit of Love?

The main cast includes:

  • Emily Beecham as Fanny Logan
  • Lily James as Linda Radlett, Fanny's cousin
  • Dominic West as Matthew Radlett, Linda's father
  • Dolly Wells as Sadie Radlett, Linda's mother
  • Beattie Edmondson as Louisa Radlett, Linda's older sister,

while Emily Mortimer, Andrew Scott, House of the Dragon's Freddie Fox and Wuthering Heights' Shazad Latif also appear in supporting roles.

What have critics said about The Pursuit of Love?

Critics generally praised the series, especially for its pitch-perfect casting, style and sense of humour despite the tragic overtones of the narrative. It's currently sitting at an 88% approval rating on critical aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes.

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Anna Russell of The New Yorker called it a "scathing satire of the British upper class" in a positive review, Sophie Gilbert of The Atlantic asserted that there hadn't "been a more vibrantly visual show on television [that] year", and Judy Berman praised it for giving "social satire a modern twist". If those glowing remarks aren't enough to convince you to watch it, then we're not sure what will.

Where can I watch The Pursuit of Love?

Though the series first aired on BBC One, it's unfortunately not available on BBC iPlayer – however, you can find it on Prime Video. It's only available to buy, but the whole three-part series costs less than a regular rental, so if you're a fan of the novel or any of the cast members, then it's a no-brainer.