As a writer, you have to love a lot of things. Like reading, writing, and... - you thought I was going to say arithmetic, you are wrong - web series. Well, that I might sound a bit...odd together but it is true.
The reason I bring up the words web series is because there has been a lot of talk about them lately. Mainly, the Lizzie Bennet Diaries (many of you will probably know what I am talking about). Basically a retelling of Pride and Prejudice with the vlog-style format. It started it all, basically.
I did not find the Lizzie 2014 sometime (before summer and after all the episode aired) and I fell in love. I binged watched EVERY episode of the Diaries and it was amazing. It was absolutely amazing. My mom is a BIG fan of Pride of Prejudice (with Colin Firth, of course) and has read the book multiple times. Now, I have seen bits and pieces of different versions of Pride and Prejudice, but this really made me interested in Jane Austen's word.
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
Lydia Bennet Vlogs - These coincide with The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
Pemberley Digital - This is the main YouTube page where you can find a few other series they have created/helped produce.
Since Lizzie Bennet Diaries, I have my chance to watch a few others and by a few, I mean pretty much any literary web series that I can find. So, for a year I have been involved with the literary web series lifestyle and dragged by best friend, Rebekah (you've heard LOADS about her, readers) into this so-called lifestyle. After binge watching so many in such a short amount of time, it was easy to say, they have become an addiction.
That's right, readers, an addiction.
Just yesterday, I was searching for new web series to watch and stumbled across In Earnest. Now, if anyone knows me, they would know that The Importance of Being Earnest is ONE of my favorite movies. So, it took me less than a day to watch all the episodes, plus Q&As and bloopers (making me REALLY need to watch the movie again).
But this is way I want to make a blog post, to bring awareness to what this is all about.
I will link you to a master list of pretty much all - maybe missing some - and I will tell you what ones I have watched and loved or just couldn't sit through. Not because they were bad, because I either don't like the novel/play or never read it or scene any version of it before.
The reason I bring up the words web series is because there has been a lot of talk about them lately. Mainly, the Lizzie Bennet Diaries (many of you will probably know what I am talking about). Basically a retelling of Pride and Prejudice with the vlog-style format. It started it all, basically.
I did not find the Lizzie 2014 sometime (before summer and after all the episode aired) and I fell in love. I binged watched EVERY episode of the Diaries and it was amazing. It was absolutely amazing. My mom is a BIG fan of Pride of Prejudice (with Colin Firth, of course) and has read the book multiple times. Now, I have seen bits and pieces of different versions of Pride and Prejudice, but this really made me interested in Jane Austen's word.
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
Lydia Bennet Vlogs - These coincide with The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
Pemberley Digital - This is the main YouTube page where you can find a few other series they have created/helped produce.
Since Lizzie Bennet Diaries, I have my chance to watch a few others and by a few, I mean pretty much any literary web series that I can find. So, for a year I have been involved with the literary web series lifestyle and dragged by best friend, Rebekah (you've heard LOADS about her, readers) into this so-called lifestyle. After binge watching so many in such a short amount of time, it was easy to say, they have become an addiction.
That's right, readers, an addiction.
Just yesterday, I was searching for new web series to watch and stumbled across In Earnest. Now, if anyone knows me, they would know that The Importance of Being Earnest is ONE of my favorite movies. So, it took me less than a day to watch all the episodes, plus Q&As and bloopers (making me REALLY need to watch the movie again).
But this is way I want to make a blog post, to bring awareness to what this is all about.
I will link you to a master list of pretty much all - maybe missing some - and I will tell you what ones I have watched and loved or just couldn't sit through. Not because they were bad, because I either don't like the novel/play or never read it or scene any version of it before.
Let's get started, shall we?
The March Family Letters - produced, created, and filmed in Canada, being helped bring an audience to it with Pemberley Digital. Now, my verdict: Not a huge fan of Little Women, so I can't tell you much. I watch it off and on, right now, it's not too interesting to me. Maybe I'll binge watch it when its over, who knows. ONGOING
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries - in my Top Five favorites with a tie for number one with In Earnest. It was produced by Pemberley Digital and it absolutely amazing. I'd say, start with Lizzie Bennet first, then go on to watch the others. Just because, Lizzie is AMAZING. I can't say enough great things about it - you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll squeal when you see Darcy, you'll probably faint when you meet Darcy (there's a difference, you'll see), you'll cheer when your favorites get together, and you'll yell at your computer screen. COMPLETE
Welcome to Sanditon - isn't as good as Lizzie Bennet but it is in the same universe as Lizzie Bennet and friends. It's okay, not my favorite. COMPLETE
Emma Approved - this is DEFINITELY in my Top 10, probably 7. Produced by Pemeberley Digital, no surprise there. Granted it starts out slow as fuck but it does pick up. Again, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll scream at your screen, you'll want to punch Emma in the face on multiple occasions but in the end, it really is a good web series adaptation of Emma. COMPLETE
From Mansfield With Love - I couldn't get into it, sorry. I don't know much about it, but it looks good, just not something I really into. ONGOING?
Elinor and Marianne Take Barton - recently just finished, I watched it off and on. It was good, nonetheless. Marianne can be a bit annoying at times, but in the end, it's adorable. COMPLETE
The New Adventures of Peter and Wendy - number three on my Top Five. YOU GUYS NEED TO WATCH IT! It is a retelling for Peter Pan, just them much older. And can I just say, Peter and Wendy are SO ADORABLE?!?! SEASON ONE COMPLETE, SEASON TWO COMING SOON Oh and did I forget to mention, Supernatural fans, Jim Beaver will be season two? ;)
The Autobiography of Jane Eyre - okay, I binge watched this. I didn't know how to like it, but I fell in love...right until the end. It is still in my Top 10, at number 10 but the ending...they had to change the ending because the original actor who played the love interest (who's name is escaping me) had a little...creative difference with the creators, I think. So...the ending isn't like the book or movies at all. So, keep that in mind, but it is a really good adaptation. COMPLETE
The Misselthwaite Archives - is in my Top 10 at 6. It still in the early stages of the web series, they had to move locations at one point too. But it is really good - it is different from the ordinary vlog style. They have a Cat-Cam, they have normal cameras following them around like on a TV show, and vlogs. It's good, check it out. ONGOING
Baker Street - Sherlock Holmes and genderbend, do I need to say more? In my Top 5 at number 4. Here is the link since the master list does not have it: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8IaZ7-169c2vl3GOehxa6w/videos CURRENTLY COMPLETE, UNKNOWN IF CONTINUING
East and West - was cute while it lasted. It is no longer in production do to illness. But it was great while it lasted. Maybe someone else with do North and South soon. CANCELLED
Green Gables Fables - you guessed it Anne of Green Gables. In my Top Five at 5. It is currently on hiatus, finished its first season and I think is currently doing or did a IndieGoGo fundraiser, I don't know if they got all the money they needed or not for a season two. SEASON ONE COMPLETE, SEASON TWO UNKNOWN STATUS
Nothing Much To Do - in my Top Five at number two. Seriously guys, you NEED to watch it! It is amazing, it's based in New Zealand and...just watch it! I can't explain to you what an amazing web series is it! COMPLETE, A SEQUEL LOVELY LITTLE LOSERS COMING SOON
Shakes - is a mashup of three of Shakespeare's plays. In my Top 10 at number 9. It is really good. Just a little warning the last episode of the series does have a trigger warning. So keep that in mind. COMPLETE
Frankenstein, MD - another Pemeberley Digital production, it isn't as good as the others. It is number 9 on my list of Top 10. It's good, sometimes I didn't understand it. Don't get me wrong, I actually had to read Frankenstein for my Gothic Lit class and I couldn't get through it but the web series brings new light to the book. Just and FYI, it does genderbends. COMPLETE, POSSIBLE SEASON TWO??
In Earnest - OMFG, just watch it! WATCH IT, WATCH IT, WATCH IT! If you don't watch any others, watch this one! You will love it! That's way it is tied for first place. JUST FUCKING WATCH IT! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! IT IS AMAZING! It might top Lizzie Bennet Diaries, who knows? COMPLETE BUT THE CREATORS ARE INTERESTED IN CREATING SOMETHING ELSE!
I know I left a lot out, but some I have yet to watch or have but didn't like them and I don't want to put some on blast because people have different tastes. You might not like what I have suggested and that is completely fine. You don't have to like everything I like, but these are just suggestions.
ENJOY!
~Molly
PS: You never know, I might have the courage to actually make something like those. Who knows. ;)
