Lady Chatterley’s Lover, the “hot” period drama starring James Norton, is now available to stream on Channel 4. Originally released on the BBC in 2015, the TV film stars Holliday Grainger and Richard Madden as a young aristocrat and her servant, who embark on a secret affair.
Based on D H Lawrence’s classic 1928 novel of the same name, the adaptation follows Grainger as Lady Constance Chatterley, whose marriage to Sir Clifford Chatterley (Norton) is tested when he is severely wounded in the First World War.
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With her husband unable to walk, Constance seeks comfort in the arms of the estate’s gamekeeper, played by Madden.
The synopsis reads: “Drama based on the classic novel. After her husband is injured fighting in the First World War, a beautiful young aristocrat embarks on a forbidden affair with a servant.”
The film received a mixed but mostly positive response from critics and viewers alike, with many praising the casting.
“Well acted and well made, good hot stuff,” penned one viewer on Rotten Tomatoes, while another fan said: “Lady Chatterley’s Lover removes the cringe factor of the novel and, using fantastic actors such as Richard Madden and Holliday Grainger, manages to create a more compelling story.”
The Guardian wrote: “This is loyal to Lawrence, in its themes of class, the ridiculous social order of things, nature and physical love, and in its language and spirit.
“And if I’m wrong about that, then it still works as a damn good love story, moving and sad and captivatingly performed.”
In their review, The Independent said the film was “cleverly cast”, calling Norton “charismatic” in the role of Sir Cliff.
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Their review continues: “This version left the viewer struggling to choose with whom to sympathise. He appeared kind and caring towards his wife and rather than simply wanting to whore her out, Sir Cliff made it clear ‘it is the living together day to day not the sleeping together once or twice’ that makes a marriage.
“And Lady C – played in excellent haughty fashion by Holliday Grainger – was deliciously dislikeable.”
Lady Chatterley’s Lover is available to stream on Channel 4.
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Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy.
A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre.
In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.