James Norton’s Forgotten Five-Star BBC Period Drama Is a Three-Part Masterpiece You Can Binge on Prime Video Tonight

Long before James Norton became a familiar face in Grantchester and Happy Valley, he delivered a memorable performance in a beautifully crafted British period drama that deserves another look.

Life in Squares, a three-part BBC miniseries released in 2015, explores the extraordinary lives of the Bloomsbury Group, a circle of influential writers, artists and intellectuals who challenged the social conventions of early 20th-century Britain.

With its complicated romances, artistic rivalries and emotional family conflicts, the drama offers an absorbing historical story that can be watched in a single evening.

A Fascinating True Story of Love, Art and Forbidden Relationships

Written by BAFTA-winning screenwriter Amanda Coe, Life in Squares follows the Bloomsbury Group across four decades, from the aftermath of Queen Victoria’s reign to the approach of World War II.

At its heart are two sisters: painter Vanessa Bell and celebrated novelist Virginia Woolf.

The story begins in 1905, when Vanessa, played by Phoebe Fox, and Virginia, portrayed by Lydia Leonard, are determined to escape the restrictions of Victorian society.

Their lives become intertwined with a circle of unconventional thinkers who embrace artistic experimentation and greater personal freedom.

Among them is Duncan Grant, the charismatic artist played by James Norton, whose complicated relationship with Vanessa becomes central to the story.

The group also includes Lytton Strachey, Clive Bell and economist John Maynard Keynes.

As friendships develop into romantic entanglements, the drama explores the emotional consequences of challenging traditional expectations surrounding marriage, sexuality and family life.

James Norton Leads an Impressive British Cast

Norton delivers a striking performance as Duncan Grant, capturing the artist’s charm and unconventional approach to relationships.

Alongside him, Phoebe Fox and Lydia Leonard portray the younger Vanessa and Virginia, while Eve Best and Catherine McCormack take over the roles as the story moves into the 1930s.

The supporting cast includes Sam Hoare as Clive Bell, Ed Birch as Lytton Strachey, Edmund Kingsley as John Maynard Keynes and Rob Heaps as Thoby Stephen.

Lucy Boynton also appears as Angelica, Vanessa and Duncan’s daughter, whose experiences reveal the complicated legacy of the group’s unconventional lifestyle.

The later episodes explore how the characters’ youthful ideals are tested by marriage, parenthood, personal loss and the growing threat of another world war.

A Beautifully Filmed Drama With Real Historical Locations

One of the series’ most distinctive features is its connection to the real places associated with the Bloomsbury Group.

Much of the filming took place at Charleston, Vanessa Bell’s historic farmhouse, which became an important gathering place for the artists and writers.

The authentic surroundings add depth to the drama’s portrayal of their creative lives.

Executive producer Lucy Bedford described the production as an emotionally intense family story, examining the relationships people leave behind, those they create and the damage love can sometimes cause.

Where to Watch Life in Squares

All three episodes of Life in Squares are listed as available on Prime Video, with the series also accessible through YouTube.

For viewers who enjoy historical dramas built around complicated relationships and remarkable real-life figures, the miniseries offers an engaging alternative to more familiar period productions.

With James Norton at the center of its tangled relationships and a talented ensemble bringing the Bloomsbury Group to life, Life in Squares remains an overlooked British drama worth rediscovering.