I am a huge fan of literature and I have to say the trailer for this looks absolutely fantastic and I can tell I will probably be mesmerised by these remakes.
Just what ITV should be doing, and the website looks excellent too.
They do look good but what really is the point of remaking dramas which have had definitive versions made recently, either by the BBC, ITV itself or for the big screen?
Because each adaptation brings something new to the story. It would be dull if we just had one adaptation for each novel. I enjoy seeing other people's take on the stories.
It was one of the most poorly made period dramas I have ever seen. The acting was stunted, the storyline overwhelmingly condensed and dumbed down, the soundtrack gaudy and billie piper unsuitably cast. Newsnight did a review on all three adaptations, with Northanger Abbey doing better as the screenplay was done by Andrew Davies; famous for his work with the BBC in Bleak House, Pride and Prejudice etc.
I agree completely with oliverburgess - it was appalling. Billie Piper had two facial expressions: mouth open and mouth closed, and was no more representative of Austen's character than a block of wood. The whole thing condensed the plot senselessly and the characters were diluted to smouldering breeches and heaving bosoms.
If you want to experience Jane Austen, read her wonderful books!!
This adaptation of Mansfield Park wasn't dreadful, in fact if it had been an original drama it would have been quiet good. However this was from the marvelous Jane Austen novel. Billie Piper and Jemma Redgrave were miscast, and too much was left out and un-necessary things added.
The first of ITV's Jane Austen season managed a decent audience last night, with 5.9 million tuning into Mansfield Park at 9pm.
The show, which starred Billie Piper as Fanny Price, started with an audience of 7.4 million but dropped viewers over the 2-hour to 5 million in the last 15 minutes. The show still won in its slot over BBC One's Castaway, which took just 2.4 million viewers.
The final episode of Sunday night horse racing drama Rough Diamond managed 3.5 million and a 15.5% share at 7pm, with Sunday's episode of Casualty at 8pm doing nothing to keep viewers tuned to BBC One, only managing 4.9 million and a 19.2%.
ITV1's Wild at Heart proved more of draw in the same slot, pulling in 7.4 million and a 29% share.
ITV has commissioned a drama series about a modern day Jane Austen obsessive who swaps places with the author's fictional character Elizabeth Bennet and finds herself lost in the early 19th century world of Pride and Prejudice.
The ITV1 drama, which has a working title Lost In Austen, is due to be broadcast next year, following on from the network's current run of Austen adaptations.
Lost in Austen focuses on Amanda, who lives in a rented flat in Hammersmith with her boyfriend Michael and escapes from her troubles with a glass of wine and Pride and Prejudice.
After an argument with her boyfriend, Amanda discovers a bonnet-wearing woman in her bathroom who introduces herself as Elizabeth Bennet.
Soon the two women swap places and Amanda finds herself living Pride and Prejudice for real - including meeting Mr Darcy.
Lost in Austen is being written by Guy Andrews, whose credits include Chancer, Prime Suspect, Absolute Power and Lewis.
The series is being made by independent producer Mammoth Screen, the company set up by former ITV Productions drama executive Damian Timmer.
Mr Andrews and Mr Timmer will share executive producing duties on the project.
"Lost in Austen takes a superbly witty look at the world of the much-loved Bennet family through the eyes of our own thoroughly modern heroine," said Laura Mackie, the ITV drama controller.
"From her first glimpses of Netherfield Hall to a melting look from Mr Darcy, Amanda's new world is both enchanting and exhilarating."