If you’re one of the many people who fell in love with James Norton as jazz-loving vicar Sidney Chambers in Grantchester (who could blame you?), we’ve got some good news. While yes, it’s hard to top his brilliant turn in the much-loved series, his role in Belle comes pretty close. The superb period drama sees James step into the shoes of aristocrat Oliver Ashford, who falls for the film’s leading lady, Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) – and, if you ask us, it’s his best performance since Grantchester.
Also starring Downton Abbey favourites Matthew Goode and Penelope Wilton, the film follows Dido, the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of a British naval officer, as she navigates matters of the heart while playing a pivotal role in the fight to abolish slavery in England. And while many of us might find ourselves swooning over James Norton’s advances, Dido has her heart set on someone else: idealistic, anti-slavery law student John Davinier (Sam Reid).
With Belle now available to stream in full, here’s everything you need to know about the period drama before you watch it, including the plot, cast and how to tune in.
What is Belle about?
The film, which was initially released in the UK in 2014, is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a mixed-race noblewoman in 18th century England. Belle is the illegitimate daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode) and an enslaved woman known as Maria Belle.
Sent to live with her father’s uncle, William Murray (Tom Wilkinson) - also known as Lord Mansfield - and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle now lives a more privileged life, but her relatives must constantly deal with the racism and gossip of their peers, many of whom believe her role should be as a servant. This was a time when England was a slave trading colonial empire and Belle’s great uncle’s role as Lord Chief Justice requires him make a pivotal ruling about the legitimacy of the trade.
While Dido often feels like an outsider, she does have a fortune to her name (a vast income of £2,000 a year) and her suitors aren’t exactly lacking. There’s Lady Ashford’s son, Oliver (James Norton), as well as John Davinier (Sam Reid). The latter is pupil barrister and abolitionist who wants to join Lord Mansfield’s chambers and fight the case against salvery – so the question is, can both love and justice triumph?
James Norton told Phoenix of the film: “It’s an amazing true story about this mixed-race aristocrat who grew up in Kenwood House. It’s bizarre that the story’s not more widely known. She was a daughter of a naval officer and a black slave, inherited an enormous amount of money and became a lady in society. But no one quite knew how to deal with her because she was mixed-race and an exotic anomaly.”
Discussing what audiences can take away from the film, Gugu Mbatha-Raw explained to Interview: “There’s a real sense of hope about the story, in that we can chose our destiny. Dido gives a speech to her uncle, Lord Mansfield [the Lord Chief Justice]: ‘You are courageous. You’re the one that commissioned this painting [of Dido]; this choice is in your hands.’ I think that’s such a great metaphor for life - to have the courage to be who you are, follow your instincts, and not let society stifle you with its antiquated ways.”
Who’s in the cast of Belle?
The cast of Belle includes:
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Surface) as Dido Elizabeth Belle
- James Norton (Playing Nice) as Oliver Ashford
- Tom Wilkinson (The Patriot) as William Murray
- Emily Watson (Apple Tree Yard) as Elizabeth Murray
- Sam Reid (The Riot Club) as John Davinier
- Miranda Richardson (Girlfriends) as Lady Ashford
- Sarah Gadon (Wayward) as Lady Elizabeth Murray
- Tom Felton (Fackham Hall) as James Ashford
- Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey) as Lady Mary Murray
- Matthew Goode (Downton Abbey) as Sir John Lindsay
- Alex Jennings (The Lady in the Van) as Lord Ashford
- Bethan Mary-James (The Guest) as Mabel
- James Northcote (Wuthering Heights) as Mr Vaughn
Is there a trailer for Belle?
While there isn’t an official trailer available, you can get a sneak peek at James’s performance in the clip below.
Is Belle any good?
Yes – while the film strays quite far from the real history (the film has ‘elevated’ Dido’s position somewhat and her father didn’t leave her a single penny), it does bring to life a defining moment in the long legal battle to destroy the slave trade in Britain in excellent fashion. Yes, there are fabulous costumes and plenty of frolicking, but it also deals with weighty issues of colonial oppression and injustice, telling a remarkable story in the process. It gets a solid 5 stars from us.
How can I watch Belle?
Belle is available to watch now on Disney+.
What other James Norton dramas can I watch now?
For another brilliant period drama, we’d recommend Life in Squares. The series sees James step into the shoes of a member of the renowned Bloomsbury group, who were united by a desire for freedom in the early 20th century, and there's rarely a dull moment. You can watch Life in Squares on Prime Video. If you’re in the mood for something more emotional, we’d suggest Nowhere Special. The film tells the story of a terminally ill single father (played by James) with one last duty to take care of: find a new family to adopt his four-year-old son. Nowhere Special is available to watch on ITVX.