What better way to end Halloween weekend and continue to celebrate Jane Austen's 250th than discussing the "classic" film Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. This 2016 film is based on the 2009 novel by Seth Grahame Smith, which is inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. (Did you follow all of that?)

If you still want the spookiness and are a fan of Austen then you should definitely check out this film and episode. It will get spoilery. P&P&Z is only available to rent and for purchase. Remember to check out your local library as well.

References:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies film (2016)

Burr Steers

Fetch the Smelling Salts Podcast

Matt Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame Smith

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters

The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet Witch by Melinda Taub

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

The Walking Dead

Introducing Mrs. Collins by Rachel Parris

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Miss Austen Regrets

The Vampire Diaries

Daisy Jones and the Six

Dark Shadows

Pride and Prejudice (2005 and 1995)

Lost in Austen

Watch Bandstand before next episode!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a05ChPYx9d4&t=8273s

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Should you watch Emily (2022) starring Emma Mackey and written/directed by Frances O'Connor? Listen to Stephanie and returning guest Brian Hicks's thoughts in today's episode and find out!

This "biopic" takes creative liberties with Emily Bronte's story as it fuses her life with her only novel Wuthering Heights. O'Connor tries to solve how Emily came up with the novel, and we have thoughts about what she comes up with!

For more background on the Brontes, listen to last episode (2x20) for a crash course on the family. Emily is available to rent on Prime Video, Hoopla, Tubi, and Plex.

Send good vibes to Brian as he defends his dissertation this month!

References:

Emily (2022)

Emily Bronte

Charlotte Bronte

Anne Bronte (JUSTICE FOR ANNE)

Frances O' Connor

Mansfield Park (1999)

Jane Austen

Hoopla App (with your library card)

Persuasion 2022

Agnes Grey

Vilette

Jane Eyre

Charles Dickens

Everything is tuberculosis by John Green

Wuthering Heights

Becoming Jane

The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

Fetch the Smelling Salts

James McAvoy

Penelope

To Walk Invisible-BBC/PBS Miniseries

The Haunting of Hill House

Wuthering Heights (2026)

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Do you know about the authors behind the works Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, or Agnes Grey?

In today's episode you'll learn all about the three Brontes: Charlotte, Emily and Anne as well as the rest of their family.

In the similar style to Stephanie's past author episodes, get ready to learn about their personal lives and the legacy they leave behind today. Perfect for those who are preparing for the new Wuthering Heights film starring Margot Robie and Jacob Elordi or for the next episode of the podcast when Emily (2022) will be discussed!

(Editing Stephanie here: Elizabeth Bronte was born in 1815 and Charlotte was 1816. Ignore my comments on them being 'Irish twins.')

References:

Charlotte Bronte

Emily Bronte

Anne Bronte

Jane Austen

House of Guinness (Netflix)

Emerald Fennell's other film is Salt Burn (Prime Video)

Queen Victoria

Jane Eyre

The Professor

Villette

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

Shirley

To Walk Invisible (BBC/PBS)

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Married Women's Property Act of 1870

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Next time we'll be discussing Emily (2022)

Instagram: @escape.into.period.pieces

Email: [email protected]

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The conclusion to the Downton Abbey franchise is officially out now with Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in theaters. Join Stephanie in today's episode as she discusses her thoughts on the new film as well as a look back on the show and fandom in a very chatty episode.

Have you seen the film yet? If not, be prepared for SPOILERS!

References:

Downton Abbey (the series) available on Peacock, Prime and BritBox

Downton Abbey (2019) on Netflix

Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) on Peacock

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Mansfield Park (1999)

Jane Austen

NBC Special: "Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale" aired September 10th

The Gilded Age (HBO Max)

Miss Scarlet

Note: Isobel Crawley now Lady Merton is played by Penelope Wilton

Julian Fellowes

Entertainment Weekly

All Creatures Great & Small

Lovely War by Julie Berry (WWI)

White Queen, White Princess, Spanish Princess

The Young Victoria

Doctor Thorne (Prime Video)

The English Game (Netflix)

From Time to Time (Prime Video)

FALL RECS:

Sherlock and Daughter (HBO Max)

The Law According to Lidia Poet (Netflix)

Derry Girls (Netflix)

Providence Falls (Hallmark)

Rosaline (Prime Video)

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Stay well!

Welcome back to the podcast, Drea Mayer, as we discuss season 10 of the Masterpiece Mystery show GRANTCHESTER, which concluded this summer. If you're looking for a cozy mystery show that's filled with found family, humor, and solving murders then look no further! This season had so many layers and reminded us of things that happened not that long ago.

Grantchester is available on PBS Passport or Prime Video for purchase.

Thank you for joining and sharing so much of your personal story, Drea!

References:

PBS Masterpiece Mystery Grantchester

Doctor Who

All Creatures Great and Small

Endeavor

Inspector Morse

The Moonflower Murders & The Magpie Murders

The Marlow Murder Club (2024)*

*Rishi Nair guest starred in this series

Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974

The Gilded Age (HBO)

Call the Midwife

Peaky Blinders

Outrageous (Britbox)

The Artful Dodger

Miss Scarlet

The Law According to Lidia Poet

Tirzah Price's Pride and Premeditation

Stranger Things

Downton Abbey film premiering September 12th

Miss Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries

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Stay tuned for my summer wrap up!

Are you still reeling from that season finale of HBO's The Gilded Age? Then this episode is for you!

Stephanie has been talking about the show nonstop, all summer and it is FINALLY the time to discuss it on the podcast. Spoiler alert as an overview of all the seasons will be discussed with a major focus on season 3. Thank you to everyone who submitted their thoughts as they were very fun to react to!

References:

HBO's The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age Facebook Group/Page

Downton Abbey

Julian Fellowes

"The Davenports" by Krystal Marquis

Apple TV's The Buccaneers

The Official Gilded Age Podcast

Old Westbury Gardens

Emma (2009)

Mansfield Park (2007)

HBO Max

Swoonworthy Podcast

Grantchester

Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt

The Gilded Age Instagram Page

Downton Abbey movie comes out 9/12

The Law According to Lidia Poet (Netflix)

Sandition

Poldark

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Thank you to everyone who submitted their thoughts

Instagram: @escape.into.period.pieces

Gmail:

[email protected]

Support your local library and PBS station

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Till next time!

This past April was the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" which makes it the perfect time to review and discuss Baz Luhrmann's 2013 film adaptation of the book, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, and Elizabeth Debicki.

Welcome back to the podcast, Jordyn Cummings, who is an expert on all things Gatsby, so make sure you read the book or check out the movie not to be spoiled. The movie, unfortunately, is only available for purchase or rental. Don't forget to always check out your local library!

Is this the first time that Stephanie watched this movie? You'll have to listen to the episode to find out!

References:

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

2013 Baz Luhrmann film

1974 film starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

The Gilded Age

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen

A Doll's House Pt. 2 by Lucas Hnath

Moulin Rogue

Elvis

The Great Gatsby Broadway Musical

Jeremy Jordan

SIX: The Musical

My Fair Lady

She's the Man

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Pleasantville (1998)

Romeo & Juliet (1996)

Shutter Island

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Rent

Bandstand the Musical (come back in Nov for more on this one!)

Barbie's Princess and the Pauper

AMC's Interview with a Vampire

Crimson Peak (2015)

Jane Eyre

*Charlie Hunman was who I was thinking of, not Tom Hardy

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See you next time :)

In today's episode listen to Stephanie discuss the Apple tv show THE BUCCANEERS, specifically focusing on season 1. It's set in the Gilded Age, but as it focuses so much on romance and modern sensibilities it almost feels like you're not watching a period piece. Beware of spoilers, so it's a good idea to watch season 1 ahead of time. It's available on Apple tv or Prime Video (for a limited time). Season 2 is currently out, but this episode is focusing on season 1 only.

References:

New Sense & Sensibility casting news from Focus Features

Stranger Things season 5 trailer

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale release date: September 12, 2025

The Buccaneers season 1

The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton (the book)

The Buccaneers 1995 mini-series

The Gilded Age (HBO Max)

Reign TV show on the CW

Sanditon

Poldark

*Correction: Guy needs to marry for wealth or get a job in the book

24:00 Spoilers

32:00 Spoilers return (and basically stay until the outro)

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Send in your thoughts for The Gilded Age and/or Grantchester season 10 via...

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Intstagram: @escape.into.period.pieces

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Support your local library and PBS station!

Enjoy the summer :)

In today's episode uncover the fact, fiction, and folklore of the Culper Spy Ring in the AMC TV show Turn: Washington's Spies that ran for four seasons from 2014-2017.

Stephanie is joined by Revolutionary War Historian Kimberly Phyfe from the Three Village Historical Society (located in Setauket, NY). This episode was so much fun to record in person. Buckle up for a longer episode that is filled with passionate and enthusiastic historical discussion between two people who love period pieces.

Thank you to everyone who submitted thoughts on the show!

Thank you to the Sachem Public Library for recording in your booth!

No Zoom disclaimer today, just some loud flushing that could not be muted :(

Spoilers abound! Watch the show on AMC+, the first 2 seasons are available on the Philo app or for purchase.

Visit the Three Village Historical Society on social media @threevillagehistory & TVHS.org

Culper Spy Weekend: September 6 & 7, 2025

References:

AMC's Turn Washington's Spies (2014-2017)

Washington's Spies by Alexander Rose

Remember Liss by Clare Bellerjeau & Tiffany Yecke Brooks

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales Graphic Novel series by Nathan Hale

Spy Ring by Sarah Beth Durst

The American Revolution: A Film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt (Coming November 16, 2025 on PBS!)

Stay tuned for Kimberly's lecture: Who is 355? in 2026

Tri-Spy Tours: https://www.culper.com/

Long Island 250: https://www.discoverlongisland.com/longisland250/

Suffolk 250: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Suffolk250

International Spy Museum in DC

Memoir of Col Benjamin Tallmadge: https://archive.org/details/memoirofcolbenja00tall/page/n7/mode/2up

Sherwood Jayne House

Outlander

Hamilton The Musical

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for listening and submitting your thoughts!

Please consider subscribing to the podcast!

Instagram: @escape.into.period.pieces

Email:

[email protected]

Continue supporting PBS by visiting protectmypublicmedia.org and contact your senators for the next vote!

Visit your local library and discover the local history that's right in your backyard!

Please continue to take care of yourself and remember that period pieces can tell you a lot about our present and future. Till next time!

In today's episode Stephanie looks at MISS AUSTEN which aired on PBS in May. The 4 episode mini-series is based on Gill Hornby's novel, "Miss Austen," which follows Cassandra Austen (Jane Austen's sister) in 1840 as she searches for the letters Jane wrote to her friends and family.

In history, Cassandra Austen is known for burning the majority of Jane's correspondence and it has been a mystery why ever since. Hornby creates a narrative that answers why she did this, and gets audiences to learn and appreciate Cassandra in the process.

Watch it now on PBS Passport, Amazon Prime Video, or by buying the DVD.

Time Stamps:

Historical Context 15:12

Jane Austen "Biopics" 27:49

Miss Austen Book vs Show 46:20

Closing 58:48

References:

Miss Austen mini-series (2025)

"Miss Austen" by Gill Hornby

Graphic Novel Biography--The Novel Life of Jane Austen by Janine Barchas and illustrated by Isabel Greenberg

Masterpiece Studio Podcast

What the Austen? (Podcast)

Jane Austen Investigates by Julia Golding

Miss Austen Investigates by Jessica Bull

Jane Austen Mysteries by Stephanie Barron

Becoming Jane (2007)

Miss Austen Regrets (2007)

Chawton House Instagram: @janeaustenshouse

Lucy Worsley's novel: Jane Austen at Home

JASNA article: https://jasna.org/austen/screen/other/becoming-jane-sorting-fact-from-fiction/

Instagram: @perioddramastyle

Swoonworthy podcast

Jo Baker's novel Longbourn

Persuasion

Discover Britain article: https://www.discoverbritain.com/history/icons/how-accurate-is-miss-austen/#:~:text=Miss%20Austen%20spoilers%20ahead.,fever%20and%20died%20in%201797.

"The Elopement" by Gill Hornby

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow

Other Bennet Sister News: https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/the-other-bennet-sister-cast-premiere-date-trailer-book/

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Please consider subscribing!

Next time: Turn Washington Spies with Kimberly Phyfe from the Three Village Historical Society

Support PBS by contacting your local representatives at protectmypublicmedia.org

Check out your local library!

Virtual Book Club: The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

Submit your thoughts by July 1st!

Instagram: @escape.into.period.pieces

Email:

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Till next time!