‘The Buccaneers’ series review: Frothy, frivolous, feminist, fashionable and fabulous

This adaptation of Edith Wharton’s famously incomplete novel, is all kinds of fun and loveable, from the hair and costumes, to the personable leads and anachronistic dialogue

Edith Wharton, that astute observer of New York society, was writing The Buccaneers when she passed away in 1937 at the age of 75. Wharton had written 29 of the proposed 35 chapters. Marion Mainwaring finished the book using Wharton’s detailed outlines in 1993 and was roasted for her efforts.

The Buccaneers offers content hunters the unique opportunity of taking these lovely Wharton-esque characters, and following up on what they might or might not do. It is the 1870s in New York and the grandest, most opulent society wedding is underway. After a whirlwind romance, Conchita, (Alisha Boe) the daughter of a rich industrialist, is marrying Lord Richard Marable (Josh Dylan). Conchita is in a rare state, in her underwear, with wedding gown and corset ready to wear but no groom in sight.

The dizzying opening shots show Conchita’s best friend, Nan, (Kristine Frøseth) in a bridesmaid dress of green, swirling between all the fabulously well-dressed people. Nan’s voiceover explains she never expects to be in the centre of things; not much chance of that as an accident with an earring, sees her climb down the roof much to bemusement of yet another posh gentleman, Guy Thwarte (Matthew Broome).

Guy is entranced by Nan’s unaffected behaviour and her ready wit. After she drops her shoe in the wedding cake, (ugh would the guests have known they were eating cake iced by footwear?) her sister, Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse), also a bridesmaid, has had enough. Even though she is the one desperate to make a good match, it always seems like Nan steals her thunder without even meaning to.

The groom arrives and after some sage advice from Nan hurries off to marry his lovely Conchita. After the wedding, Conchita goes to London to be with her stuffy in laws, the Lord (Anthony Calf) and Lady (Fenella Woolgar) Brightlingsea and their daughter Honoria (Mia Threapleton).

Conchita’s four best friends — Nan, Jinny,  Lizzy (Aubri Ibrag) and her sister Mabel (Josie Totah) — head off to London for the season and to provide moral support for the pregnant Conchita. Nan and Jinny’s mother, Mrs. St George (Christina Hendricks) and the governess Laura Testvalley (Simone Kirby) chaperone the girls.

After yet another contretemps between Nan and Jinny, angry words are exchanged, and Nan takes a break from the festivities travelling with Laura through Cornwall. Who should she meet coming out of the water all handsome and dripping wet, but the most eligible bachelor of the season, Theo the Duke of Tintagel (Guy Remmers)? Wonder why it was changed from Trevenick, unless for the added myth of King Arthur’s conception and Merlin’s mighty magic.