You think because I’m a woman I’ll be persuaded to take less?
How can we forget this powerful line by Anne Lister? Gentleman Jack had been an influential and impactful show since its first minute. Based on a backdrop of the 19th century Yorkshire, the historical drama series is created by Sally Wainwright; the show is said to be one of the underrated series on the list of web series. It was premiered on 22 April 2019 in the United States and the United Kingdom on 19 May 2019 and was renewed for a second series by BBC One on 23 May 2019. But there hasn’t been any confirmed release date as of yet, and it is understandable why. The show managed to gain at least 5.6 million viewers, and yet is claimed to be underrated. Gentleman Jack is inspired by a real-life story of a landowner Anne Lister. She used to keep diaries that were filled with her day to day events and her secret homosexual relationship. The second one will again use the real-life journals of Anne Lister – part of which were written in code – as its source, with every part of Lister’s story based on historical facts and the five million words she wrote in her journals.
Creator Wainwright said to BBC about the renewal, “It’s so exciting that so many people have had such a positive response to Suranne’s exuberant performance as the brilliant, life-affirming Anne Lister and Sophie’s brilliant performance as her courageous partner, Ann Walker. I’m utterly delighted that we’ve been recommissioned because there are so many more big, bold stories to tell about Anne Lister and Ann Walker. A massive thank you to the BBC and HBO and everyone at Lookout Point.”
The description of the show on the official HBO website goes like this, “Set in 1832 West Yorkshire, England, Gentleman Jack is inspired by the true-story and coded journals of Anne Lister (played by Suranne Jones), and follows her attempt to revitalize her inherited home, Shibden Hall. Most notably, for the time period, a part of Lister’s plan is to help the fate of her own family by taking a wife.”
Gentleman Jack is unique since it digs up the deep women psyche during the 19th century, with the splash of the first essence of women empowerment. England had witnessed great revolutions over the centuries, which couldn’t help but stay amid the history pages and pass on to generations. Along with Suranne Jones, the show is blessed with casts like Sophie Rundle, Joe Armstrong, Amelia Bullmore, Rosie Cavaliero, Gemma Whelan, Gemma Jones, Timothy West, and Tom Lewis.