Gentleman Jack

Set in 1832 Halifax, Gentleman Jack follows Anne Lister, a forthright landowner bent on restoring Shibden Hall and securing her family's future. Ambitious and often abrasive, Anne treats the estate like a business, pushing investments in land and local industry while sparring with neighbors and relatives. Equally central is her emotional life, as she forms an intimate partnership with Ann Walker and works out how marriage, property and social standing can be arranged on her own terms. The series watches daily management, social maneuvering and the careful concealment and candour Anne records in her diaries, staying focused on choices and tensions rather than later resolutions.

Released in 2019, Gentleman Jack was created and written by Sally Wainwright, adapted from the real diaries of Anne Lister. It premiered on BBC One in the UK and reached American audiences via HBO, bringing a distinct British production to an international platform.

The series attracted attention from British television award bodies, earning several nominations that highlighted acting, writing and its period production values. Cast and crew received recognition for performances, costume and production design, reflecting the show’s attention to historical detail and ensemble work.

Gentleman Jack made a cultural mark by foregrounding a queer historical figure in a mainstream period drama, prompting renewed interest in Anne Lister’s diaries and in the historic Shibden Hall associated with her life. Conversations about representation, visibility in historical narratives, and how LGBT lives are portrayed in costume drama followed, and certain episodes became touchpoints in media discussion.

It holds a user vote average of 7.776/10 from 201 votes. Critics often praised Suranne Jones’ performance and Sally Wainwright’s sharp dialogue, while some reviews noted uneven pacing across episodes. The show treats themes of gender and identity, inheritance and class, the mechanics of marriage and reputation, and the practical work of running an estate, balancing social satire with quieter moments of intimacy.