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Period drama lovers have just days to race through this underrated Apple TV Plus show, The Buccaneers, ahead of the second season.
The eight-episode first season is based on classic novelist Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel and offers a modern take on the lives of a group of New York debutantes sent to London to find husbands.
Set during the Gilded Age, we meet Conchita (Alisha Boe), Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag), Mabel (Josie Totah), Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse) and Nan (Kristine Froseth, lifelong friends about to encounter plenty of heartbreak, love and scandal.
Originally released in 2023, the synopsis reads: ‘A group of fun-loving American girls burst onto the scene in tightly corseted 1870s London kicking off an Anglo-American cultural clash.
‘Sent to secure husbands and status, the buccaneers’ hearts are set on much more than that.’
The show comes across as a fusion of Julian Fellowes’ Gilded Age and Netflix’s Bridgerton – fusing the more serious themes of the period aesthetic with the current trend of forward-looking historic dramas, dubbed by some as ‘anachronistic’.
Although it gets off to a rocky start for some viewers, it has won countless fans over by the end with its refreshing ensemble cast.
The first season landed an impressive 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘Very easy and enjoyable to watch, pure escapism, loveable characters, beautiful scenery and costumes, great soundtrack,’ user Kate C wrote.
‘I love everything about this show. Truly magical. A must watch for sure!’ Freya C added.
‘Love this version of Edith Wharton… it works brilliantly on so many levels.. roll on season 2,’ L S shared.
‘It’s intelligent, well-acted, funny, uplifting and addictive!’ Patrick G said.
‘It had absolutely everything and more you would want in a period drama. It also covered a lot of interesting topics such as women having to be silent, abuse, loveless marriages, and unfaithfulness.
TV writer Asyia Iftikhar’s four-star review of the second season
Our main group of women prove themselves a powerful ensemble cast with vivacious personalities.
Far from my initial impression of a shallow drama with trite love triangles, predictable affairs and stereotypical aristocracy, this only scratches the surface.
Don’t get me wrong, for people who love those soap operatic style storylines, there is still plenty to sink your teeth into, but the show also goes much deeper than that – as proven by season two.
‘It started with annoying Americans laughing and being silly, but managed to transform into each character having a really important story,’ Jemma CC said on Google Reviews.
Nisha Bhatt echoed: ‘I can’t say enjoyed the premise or the first episode too much but the character development is truly the best part of this show. Unlike several other shows, the side characters have some the best storytelling and leave you wanting to watch the show again.’
‘Everyone needs to watch The Buccaneers is so cute and addictive,’ @anyasunrise wrote over on X.
The show may not be to everyone’s taste, however, so proceed with caution. Some have called it out for ‘poor writing’, the lack of ‘historical accuracy’ and ‘ridiculous storylines’, with some unhappy with how the main character, Nan, is characterised.
The second season will introduce Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester and pick up right from where the show left off after that dramatic season one cliffhanger.
The Buccaneers season one is available to stream on Apple TV Plus. Season two starts airing weekly on Wednesday, June 18.
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