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According to television fans, this period drama set in the 1850s has captivated them with its authentic performances, political undertones and, naturally, enchanting romance.

North & South is a British BBC production adapted from the Victorian novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, unfolding against the backdrop of the Great Exhibition of 1851.

It has garnered praise for its vivid portrayal of social and class divisions within the nation, while its meticulously crafted period settings render it compelling viewing.

One viewer took to the review site IMDB to share: "I'm a history teacher, so I'm very critical of adaptations, especially those that sentimentalise the past in any way. This is a superb rendering of the spirit of the industrial age and the many facets of class struggle within it. It's also a richly romantic love story. The acting by all the cast is uniformly excellent, but Richard Armitage as Thornton is a standout."

The limited series chronicles the journey of young Margaret Hale, portrayed by Daniela Denby-Ashe, who finds herself compelled to relocate from the comforts of southern England to the North following the devastating loss of her father.

She confronts head-on the cultural disparities of existence during an industrial era and grapples with making necessary adaptations.

The striking contrasts become increasingly evident when she encounters the Thorntons, a household of cotton mill proprietors who have developed an aversion to her southern manner.

As the narrative unfolds, her compassion towards them deepens, as does her fondness and attraction to John Thornton, portrayed by Richard Armitage.

Another fan wrote: "North and South took me completely by surprise... But Elizabeth Gaskell's work on which the film is based is far more than a mere period romance. This is social commentary and a love story, the struggle of workers and masters/managers, as well as the misunderstanding of the intellectuals that forms a triangle in the film that is still alive today.

"The lead characters all take on a social conscience that grows with their love for each other to an understanding of the different worlds that lived together in this time of radical change."

Others have heaped praise on the series' performances, writing: "The acting is superb - the lead characters John and Hannah Thornton, Margaret Hale, and union man Nicholas Higgins are so natural that you forget that you are watching a movie and get simply enthralled in their story. The supporting characters are also strong, making this an unexpected gem of a movie."

Upon its release, the BBC had virtually no expectations for the series, meaning it received little publicity or marketing, yet it rapidly gained momentum.

Many attributed this to the then relatively unknown actor Armitage, who drew comparisons to Colin Firth's portrayal in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

North and South is available to rent on Amazon Prime.