If you’ve worked your way through all of James Norton’s brilliant performances, we’ve got your next fix sorted. From the dark Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley to Grantchester’s charming Sidney Chambers, the actor has played it all. But his role as John Brooke in Greta Gerwig’s 10-star period drama Little Women sees the actor at his very best. And the best part? You can watch it tonight.
The adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel first hit cinemas in 2019, and the cast is nothing short of impressive. Meryl Streep, Laura Dern and Timothée Chalamet all star alongside James in the story about four sisters who grow up in Massachusetts, New England. The drama follows siblings: Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Beth (Eliza Scanlen), Amy (Florence Pugh) and Meg (Emma Watson) as they each navigate their own dreams and challenges.
In the mood for a heartwarming period film? Here’s everything you need to know about Little Women, including the cast, plot and how to watch it tonight.
What is Little Women about?
Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s book tells the story of the March sisters Meg (Emma Watson), Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Beth (Eliza Scanlen) and Amy (Florence Pugh). As with the cherished novel, the story centres on the sisters who lived in Concord, Massachusetts, during the 19th century.
When they’re children, their dad goes to fight in the Civil War, leaving the women to fend for themselves. Unlike the book, Greta made the decision to tell the story across two timelines, following the sisters in childhood and Jo's adult life in a non-linear fashion.
The film starts in 1868 and the sisters are in different places around the world. Jo is an independent aspiring writer and teacher in New York City. Stylish Amy is in Paris with their Aunt March (played by Meryl Streep). Meg is married and a mother, while sickly Beth is at home with her piano keeping her company. The matriarch, or ‘Marmee’, is played by Laura Dern, and is the emotional centre of the family. She goes against the grain and encourages all of her daughters to be independent.
Gerwig adds her famous feminist touch to some key elements from the book, particularly the romantic relationships – including the love triangle between Jo, Amy and Laurie, their neighbour. Amy is given more depth than in the original and in other adaptations, which frame her as a spoiled little sister. As for Jo’s romantic ending, Gerwig adds an intelligent twist where the pages of her novel and reality collide.
James Norton plays John Brooke, Laurie’s kind-hearted tutor who falls in love with Meg. Despite being materially poor, John and Meg have a loving marriage and two children together. James previously spoke to Stage Right Secrets about his character. ‘My character John Brooke has this wonderful line about you know, American women are respected for supporting themselves and following their dreams and working,’ he said.
‘You know the value of work when he’s talking about Meg as a governess and they have the resources to do so. You know, for me, playing a role of a man who was in 1863, whichever year it was, saying those kinds of words was a wonderful thing. Testament to how modern it was,’ he added.
Who’s in the cast of Little Women?
The cast of Little Women includes:
- Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird, Atonement) as Josephine "Jo" March
- Emma Watson (Harry Potter, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower) as Margaret ‘Meg’ March
- Florence Pugh (East Of Eden) as Amy March
- Eliza Scanlen (Sharp Objects) as Elizabeth ‘Beth’ March
- Laura Dern (Big Little Lies) as Marmee March
- Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) as Theodore ‘Laurie’ Laurence
- Meryl Streep (Mamma Mia) as Aunt March
- Tracy Letts (Deep Water) as Mr. Dashwood
- Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) as Father March
- James Norton (Belle, Grantchester) as John Brooke
Is Little Women any good?
Yes, if you’re a fan of the original book, or just love coming-of-age dramas, you’re going to want to tune in. Greta Gerwig adds a modern edge to the much-loved story, without forfeiting the emotion at its core. Reviewers described the film as ‘superb’, ‘powerful’ and ‘truly masterful’ – we couldn’t agree more.
Is there a trailer for Little Women?
Yes, you can watch the full trailer for Little Women below.
How can I watch Little Women?
You can watch Little Women now on Prime Video.
What other period dramas can I watch now?
For another moving period drama, we’d suggest Anna Maxwell Martin’s South Riding. The drama centres around headmistress Sarah Burton (played by Anna) who returns to her Yorkshire hometown to run a local girls’ school in the 1930s. Expect political tensions, class divides and romance. You can watch South Riding now on Channel 4. For another beautiful depiction of female connection, try Cable Girls. The series follows four women who find themselves on the cusp of huge change as they’re awarded new freedom through employment at Spain’s national telecommunications company in 1920s Madrid. Together, they face whirlwind romances, heartbreak, deceit and the dawn of a dictatorship. Cable Girls is available to watch now on Netflix.