A BBC period drama starring John Simm and Phoebe Dynevor has been hailed a "masterpiece" by fans08:55, 29 May 2026Fans of period dramas have been binge-watching a cherished series.‌The Village is a BBC television series penned by Peter Moffat. The drama unfolds in a Derbyshire village during the early 20th century, documenting events from the summer of 1914 through to 1924.‌The debut series broadcast in 2013, spanning the years between 1914 and 1920, followed by the second instalment, which aired in 2014 and carried the narrative into the 1920s. Sadly, the show never returned for a third series.‌"This epic drama charts the turbulent times experienced by one English village throughout the 20th century. Births, deaths, political events and rebellions are among the events that occur during the time," reads the official synopsis."One man, Bert Middleton, lives across the entire 100-year period, and his story from boyhood to old age forms the crux of the programme's story, as told through flashbacks as Bert reminisces while being interviewed in the present day by a director making a documentary about the elderly man and his village," reports Derbyshire Live.‌"Among the events Bert recounts is being smitten at the age of 12 by beautiful Martha Lane, whose family had just arrived in the village, an event that would change his world forever."Bert is portrayed by several actors as he progresses through life, including Bill Jones, Alfie Stewart, Tom Varey and David Ryall. John Simm and Maxine Peake, meanwhile, portray Bert's parents, John and Grace Middleton.The cast also features Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor and Coronation Street's Joe Duttine, alongside Nico Mirallegro, Charlie Murphy, Juliet Stevenson, Augustus Prew, Emily Beecham, Rupert Evans, Kit Jackson, Matt Stokoe, Stephen Walters, Ainsley Howard, and Annabelle Apsion.‌The opening series was shot in and around numerous "intensely beautiful" Derbyshire villages, including Hayfield, Edale, Glossop, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Charlesworth, together with the grounds of Tatton Park in Cheshire.For those wishing to immerse themselves in the world of The Village, all 12 episodes of the drama are currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.‌Audiences have continued to heap praise on the drama online, with one IMDb user writing: "Dark and wonderful. Derbyshire and Cheshire have never looked better. This is a truly wonderful series."Another enthused, "This series is the best TV series I have watched. Second to none! It is honest to the point of soul-destroying yet so real, humorous, empathetic and horrific. I predictably cry and smile in every show, it is such an emotional drama, the best of BBC acting I have seen."A third remarked, "This series has it all. It's the best of television," while yet another viewer similarly noted, "How much has changed in 100 years, how well the BBC has done in creating another masterpiece series."Article continues belowA fifth viewer echoed those feelings, commenting: "This is undeniably excellent. To say this is absorbing is an understatement. One of the best I've ever seen, and I watch a lot. Riveting, expertly portrayed and most of all, true."The Village is available to stream on Prime Video