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Miniseries – Vanity Fair

Play trailer 0:59 Poster for Miniseries – Vanity Fair Sep 2018 History Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 38 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Based on the novel of the same name,"Vanity Fair" follows poverty-stricken Becky Sharp as she attempts to claw her way out of the dregs of society and to scale the heights of English society in the years following the defeat of Napoleon. Set against the Napoleonic Wars, Sharp strives to rise above her station with little regard for the consequences. In her efforts to advance herself, her manipulation, merriment, forbidden romances, fighting, and dancing catapults her into the court of King George IV while breaking hearts and losing fortunes along the way.
Vanity Fair — Miniseries

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Olivia Cooke's brilliant portrayal of the feisty and scheming Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair makes this adaptation of Thackeray's classic novel more relatable for a 21st century audience.

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Critics Reviews

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Sophie Gilbert The Atlantic 12/28/2018
In Cooke, this Vanity Fair has an actor who revels in Becky's scheming and her ambition. Go to Full Review Troy Patterson The New Yorker 12/21/2018
Softening Becky's edges and defanging the story's satire, Amazon offers a self-contradictory miniseries without much of a point. Go to Full Review Kristen Baldwin Entertainment Weekly 12/21/2018
C+
Cooke does an admirable job making the cold-hearted, quick-witted Becky entertainingly unlikable; if only the production didn't require her to break the fourth wall with periodic smirks to the camera. Go to Full Review David Walsh World Socialist Web Site 02/10/2021
The series sincerely attempts, all in all, to do justice to Thackeray's complexities and ambiguities. Go to Full Review Megan Basham WORLD 02/14/2019
Though still a "very vain, wicked, foolish place, full of all sorts of humbugs and falsenesses and pretensions," Amazon's Vanity Fair is nonetheless a deliciously entertaining and edifying place. Go to Full Review Ani Bundel WETA 01/24/2019
For those who have never read or seen Vanity Fair, this is a perfectly good by-the-numbers adaptation. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Spencer P @s_plewe 04/22/2024 A regency book adaptation for those looking for slightly edgier Jane Austen parallels, Vanity Fair has satisfying drama, humor, and a surprisingly thrilling war episode, but the main character's ultimate development left me without admiring her as much as I thought I would at the beginning. See more Roy V 05/06/2023 Olivia Cooke cooks with Fierce tenacity in this rendition of a classic. I loved to hate and desire her at the same time. She is so well suited for these roles! See more tom m 12/28/2021 Well done. I enjoyed it. See more 05/08/2020 Excellent acting, anchored by Olivia Cooke, who steals every scene--even though her character is essentially unlovable. Struggling to find her place in a class-conscious world that values a fortunate birth over talent and ingenuity, Becky would be recognized today as a charming psychopath. She's manipulative, has no real emotional attachments, and only values people for what they can do for her. See more 02/05/2020 Absolutely disgusting. Why they gotta do my mans like that? 🤢 See more 10/15/2019 Moved me to tears, the realistic portrayal, character development, acting, every scene and/or supporting actor seemed essential. The plot towards the end, when the Major discovers Becky's infidelity was the only weak point where it felt a tad forced. Other than that, what a heartbreaking and perfect rendition of intertwined lives. Fantastic. Music score one of the best in years; my only contention is the original Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division should have been used. See more Read all reviews
Vanity Fair — Miniseries

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Cast & Crew

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Olivia Cooke

Becky Sharp

Johnny Flynn

William Dobbin

Claudia Jessie

Amelia Sedley

Simon Russell Beale

Mr Sedley

Martin Clunes

Sir Pitt Crawley

David Fynn

Jos Sedley

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 2, 2018 Miss Sharp in the Presence of the Enemy Miss Rebecca Sharp is determined to climb the heights of English high society. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 3, 2018 Miss Sharp Begins to Make Friends Becky charms her way through Hampshire. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 9, 2018 The Quarrel About an Heiress Living with her wealthy Aunt Matilda, Becky believes her future looks bright, but as the threat of war arrives, everyone's fortunes take a turn. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 16, 2018 In Which Becky Joins Her Regiment Becky finds a new use for old friends as she enters high society on the eve of battle. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 23, 2018 In Which Battles Are Won and Lost Becky decides that the war isn't so bad, as long as there's opportunity to make money. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 30, 2018 In Which a Painter's Daughter Meets a King Becky figures out how to function well with nothing, but flies too high as she becomes part of the ranks of lords, ladies, and kings. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 7, 2018 Endings and Beginnings Becky becomes lost but then she is found; it remains to be seen if she will have a happy ending. Details

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Vanity Fair — Miniseries

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Vanity Fair — Miniseries

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Season Info

Director
James Strong, Jonathan Entwistle
Executive Producer
Gwyneth Hughes, Tom Mullens, James Strong, Damien Timmer
Screenwriter
Gwyneth Hughes
Network
ITV
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
History, Drama, Romance
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Sep 2, 2018