Howards End is the latest period drama to reach Starz. Here are six reasons to binge it while waiting for Droughtlander to end.
Outlander fans still have quite some time before Season 4 airs (Nov 2018) which leaves the next few months free to check out some new shows that are right up Outlander fans alley. That’s what brought me to Howards End, a new mini-series by the BBC but now on Starz, the same network that hosts our beloved Claire and Jamie.
I’ve watched the series and can confidently say if you love Outlander, you’ll love Howards End, and here are a few reasons why.
It’s another period piece
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Outlander takes place in various locations over the course of the 1700’s making it a beautiful period piece. If this is something that interests you then you’ll love Howards End as well. This drama takes place in early 1900’s England and switches between city life and country life, and oh my gosh is the country landscape just marvelous. I’d watch it for the greenery alone.
There’s romance
Let’s be honest, we watch Outlander for the romance, and it’s the romance in Howards End that drew me in as well. This romance (or romances, hint hint) is unconventional, but nonetheless still engaging, sexy and sometimes a bit dangerous. I won’t give too much away, but I bet you won’t be able to predict how it all ends (unless you’ve read the book by E. M. Forster, of course).
It’s short
The best (and maybe worst) part of Howards End is the length. It runs just four hour-ish long episodes making it the perfect thing to binge-watch over a weekend or two, and won’t suck you in and distract you from Outlander. The downside, of course, is that when you fall in love with the show, it will end and then that’s it!
There’s no second season, and you’ll be left wanting more. If you time it just right though you can slide right back into Outlander and you’ll have no problems. Or if you are anything like me, you can watch the whole series over again and discover something new each time.
The costumes
One of my favorite parts of Outlander was waiting to see what Claire would wear (especially those scenes in France) and I daresay the costumes in Howards End may take the cake. The two female leads Helen and Margaret are upper-middle-class women who dress to the nines everywhere they go. Think hats, gloves, long skirts, bright colors and beautiful jewelry. I’m drooling just thinking about it. Oh and there’s a wedding gown or two in this series which makes the costuming even more interesting.
Mr. Darcy
This is just a personal excitement that I had, that maybe a few of you might enjoy as well. MR. DARCY IS IN IT. Ok, I’ve stopped screaming now.
Matthew Macfadyen plays Mr. Wilcox and you might recognize him from his role as Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (the motion picture version with Keira Knightley). But I warn you, he’s aged (well of course) and he may not be well-liked.
Feminism
It’s probably no coincidence that Starz chose to air Howards End during a time where women are campaigning for equal wages and protection from sexual harassment and abuse. Though the main plot line of Howards End isn’t feminism there are definite aspects of it. The lead women are both unmarried and without a male influence (they do have a younger brother though) and they campaign for women’s right to vote. Overall it’s a light glimpse into the rights (or lack thereof) of women during that time period.
Next: 7 shows to watch to get you through Droughtlander
Have you watched Howards End yet? If so, what did you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
All episodes of Howard’s End are available on the Starz app or On Demand.