--- title: "Gentleman Jack: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/gentleman-jack/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/gentleman-jack" critics_score: 76 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Gentleman Jack (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 76 from 9 reviews: 8 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics welcome Gentleman Jack as a lively period drama, with praise centred on Suranne Jones’s confident, forceful performance as Anne Lister. The reviews repeatedly credit her with making Lister compelling, while Sally Wainwright’s dialogue, dry Yorkshire wit and attention to romance give the series much of its character. Sophie Rundle also earns praise for a nuanced performance, particularly in the developing relationship between the leads. The reservations concern how firmly the writing handles Lister beyond that commanding presence. Variety offers the clearest dissent, admiring the adult romance and both leads but finding that the series meanders without a secure grip on its central character. Vulture also wants clearer stakes and a less simplified Lister, while The Guardian finds the fourth-wall breaks close to parody. The spread runs from enthusiastic approval to a mixed response, though even the more qualified reviews praise Jones. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Tim Goodman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 15 April 2019. HBO's jaunty, funny, smart and touching true lesbian love story shines thanks to showrunner Sally Wainwright and star Suranne Jones. A great story, well told, with Jones perfectly embodying the bold, rule-breaking Lister. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/gentleman-jack-review-1202036/) ## The Times — Carol Midgley Rating ★★★★☆. 27 May 2019. The review praises the slow-burn sexual tension and rollicking drama, highlighting Suranne Jones as a dynamo and Sophie Rundle's nuanced performance. Wainwright's sparkling dialogue stands out in this classier take on the material. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/gentleman-jack-review-im-falling-for-miss-lister-wrmhklm75) ## The i Paper — Jeff Robson Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 May 2019. Suranne Jones delivers a force-of-nature performance as the real-life lesbian landowner Anne Lister in this well-told true story. Sally Wainwright brings dry Yorkshire wit and sharp observation to the period drama template. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/gentleman-jack-bbc1-review-suranne-jones-292079) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 May 2019. The critic sees the series as a lively coal-town romp with fourth-wall breaks that flirts with parody. Suranne Jones's swaggering performance as Anne Lister makes the central character's presence believable and compelling. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/19/gentleman-jack-review-suranne-jones-bbc) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 April 2019. The critic praises Suranne Jones' nuanced performance as Anne Lister and the show's portrayal of her as a dynamic figure ahead of her time, contrasting with the slow period setting. However, it notes the series could better emphasize stakes, avoid simplifying aspects of Lister's character, and more fully embrace its discordant elements. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/gentleman-jack-on-hbo-review.html) ## Variety — Caroline Framke Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 19 April 2019. The series adapts the extraordinary real diaries of Anne Lister into an adult romance about devotion and partnership that breathes life into period drama. Jones and Rundle excel as the leads, though the show meanders without a firmer grip on its central character. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/tv/reviews/gentleman-jack-review-hbo-anne-lister-1203187084/) ## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 May 2019. The critic lauds Suranne Jones as exploding onto the screen in Sally Wainwright's drama about the real-life Anne Lister, presenting her as a thrilling, confident industrialist and trailblazer. It highlights Wainwright's delight in the character and the lively supporting world, calling it an exciting new prospect for period drama. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/gentleman-jack-episode-1-review-a-19th-century-superhero/) ## Collider — Allison Keene Rating ★★★★. 18 April 2019. The series is a sharp, jaunty, and wonderfully unusual tale centered on the real-life Anne Lister. It singles out Suranne Jones' magnetic and confident performance as the standout element that infuses the story with energy and charm. [Read the review](https://collider.com/gentleman-jack-review/) ## Paste — Amy Glynn Rating 8.8. 22 April 2019. Gentleman Jack delivers a compelling portrait of a defiant historical figure through strong production and performances. It singles out Suranne Jones' forceful and vivacious portrayal of Anne Lister as the can't-miss centerpiece. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/gentleman-jack/gentleman-jack-hbo-review-suranne-jones-sally-wain) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/gentleman-jack.md