In the two years since Downton Abbey's been off the air, we've had our fill of must-watch period pieces with the likes of The White Princess, Victoria and The Crown providing escapism into the 15th, 19th and mid-20th centuries. But none of these series returned us to the Crawley's fascinating, complicated world of Edwardian England, where society grappled with the collision of traditional social conventions and the advance of modernity.
Enter Howards End, a four-part miniseries based on the 1910 novel by E.M. Forster headed to Starz in 2018. It follows the brilliant, strong-willed Schlegel sisters—"independent" Margaret (Hayley Atwell) and quirky Helen (Philippa Coulthard)—as their lives intersect with the wealthy Wilcoxes, Henry (Matthew Macfadyen) and Ruth (Julia Ormond), and the poverty-stricken Basts, Leonard (Joseph Quinn) and Jacky (Rosalind Eleazar).
The trailer chronicles Margaret's growing friendship with Ruth until the latter's unexpected death. When Ruth's family discovers she left her beloved country home, Howards End, to Margaret, they're horrified the house will end up in the hands of an "outsider." But as Ruth's grieving widower, Henry, finds himself drawn Margaret and the two grow closer, Helen attempts to provide aid to the poverty-stricken Leonard, resulting in a clash over power and privilege between the sisters. In the midst of the drama, Margaret and Helen's traditional Aunt Juley (Tracey Ullman) attempts to instill proper values in her orphaned nieces and their brother, Tibby (Alex Lawther).
The series is directed by White Girl director Hettie Macdonald and written by Kenneth Lonergan, the Oscar-winning writer and director of Manchester by the Sea.
Buy Howards End by E.M. Forster, $1 for Kindle. BUY IT
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Julie Kosin is the senior culture editor of ELLE.com, where she oversees all things movies, TV, books, music, and art, from trawling Netflix for a worthy binge to endorsing your next book club pick. She's the former director of audience strategy and entertainment at HarpersBAZAAR.com. When not glued to her laptop, she can be found taking pictures of her dog or haunting used bookstores.
-
20 Shows to Watch While You Wait for the Return of 'House of the Dragon'
Complete with power-hungry characters, messy family drama, and enough sex scenes to make a Targaryen blush...
By Andrea Park Published
-
Dyson's Limited Edition AirWrap Will Definitely Sell Out
All the hi-tech features, plus a pretty new colorway.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Queen Camilla Comments on Kate Middleton’s Health For the First Time Since Announcing Her Cancer Diagnosis
The royal spoke to fans five days after the Princess of Wales’ video announcement.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise."
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything We Know
Here's everything we know on the upcoming episodes.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
Kim Cattrall Didn't See or Speak to Her Costars When Filming 'And Just Like That' Cameo
That's some type of commitment.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
The 60 Best K-Dramas You'll Be Completely Hooked On
Wait, how is it already 2 a.m.?
By Quinci LeGardye Last updated
-
Selena Gomez Revealed Meryl Streep Is Joining 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3
Fans are losing it.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Sophia Brown on Joining the World of ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’
The actress opens up about the “surreal process” of playing the Lark in the Netflix fantasy prequel.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy Last updated