'Masterpiece' BBC period drama is hailed 'best of British TV' and free on iPlayer

One war series, based on a bestselling book, has been hailed as the "best BBC period drama". War and Peace is a historical drama television serial first broadcast on BBC One in 2016. The eight-part adaptation is based on the 1869 novel War and Peace by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, written by Andrew Davies and directed by Tom Harper. Lily James, Paul Dano, James Norton, Jim Broadbent, and Gillian Anderson star in the period drama.

The series synopsis reads: "War and Peace follows the intertwined lives of three young Russian aristocrats - Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, and Natasha Rostova - against the backdrop of Napoleon's invasion of Russia. The series explores themes of love, loss, war, and social life in 19th-century Russia, as these individuals navigate their personal journeys amidst the turmoil of war."

The magazine Stylist pinpointed the drama as one of the BBC's best. It said: "In 2016, the BBC made War and Peace into an easily digestible, not to mention incredibly chic period drama, with a stellar cast of British talent to boot. Also, in the main role (and the one that steals the show, we might add) as Pierre Bezukhov, we have the brilliant American actor and director Dano (Wildlife, Ruby Sparks)."

War and Peace has been highly praised among critics. The Telegraph placed it fifth in its list of the greatest television adaptations of all time, stating: "It is safe to say that this is the greatest TV costume drama of the past decade and has raised the bar in a genre for which we are already renowned all over the world."

On Rotten Tomatoes, the critics awarded the series a solid 88% rating; their consensus reads: "War and Peace boasts sumptuous visuals and the narrative remains largely faithful to its sprawling source material, even if the pace may challenge less patient viewers and the period detail is slightly lacking."

One audience reviewer wrote: "Never has a TV show made me feel so deeply. An absolute masterpiece."

Another added: "To me, one of the greatest television products I've ever seen. Simply beautiful to watch, great cast, great settings, I felt amazed and moved by the depth of the feelings shown by the actors. It's a must-see!"

On IMDb another reviewer described the series as the "very best of British TV".

War and Peace is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.