Women in Love

Set during the years just before World War I, this bold adaptation of DH Lawrence's The Rainbow and Women in Love follows the two Brangwen sisters as they try to chart love, loyalty, and personal fulfillment in a world that prizes convention. Ursula and Gudrun push against traditional roles even as the men who love them wrestle with ambition and desire. The narrative shifts between intimate scenes of affection and the wider backdrop of class, duty, and the looming political upheaval, painting a portrait of a society on the edge of change. The show foregrounds moral complexity over easy answers and invites viewers to see how affection and fidelity ripple through families, and a culture on the edge of modernization.

Released in 2011, the series is directed by Miranda Bowen and adapts DH Lawrence's The Rainbow and Women in Love. William Ivory is credited as creator, translating Lawrence's world into a compact, character driven drama, with a crisp period feel.

At its core the show examines how longing, fidelity, and social expectations collide as the pre war era reshapes relationships. Performances carry a quiet intensity and the mood is rich with period detail, while the plot quietly probes the tensions between personal truth and conventional life. The writing doesn't shy away from difficult topics, including class disparity, sexuality, and the search for autonomy, and the performances offer nuanced portrayals that invite repeated viewings.

While not claimed as a cultural watershed, the series adds to the on screen conversation around Lawrence's work and its relevance to modern viewers. Its visual style and focus on female agency within a historical frame contribute to debates about gender and desire in period drama.

There are no major awards or nominations documented for this adaptation, suggesting it flew under the radar of the awards circuit. Still, it attracted viewers who appreciate literary source material brought to life and strong performances.