Dear reader, I snogged my brother: Sanditon viewers are horrified by 'incestuous' kiss between aristocrat and his stepsister - and brand it 'far from any Jane Austen creation'

  • Last night's ITV adaptation of Jane Austen's Sanditon had an incest story line
  •  Featured a kiss between Sir Edward Denham and his step sister Esther Denham
  • Some viewers claimed the plot twist was 'far from a Jane Austen creation' 
  • Screenwriter Andrew Davies defended story line adding 'They are step siblings'
  • The story line between the step siblings was not in Jane Austen's original novel 

Viewers have had branded the incestuous story line in last night's episode of Sanditon, which was not in the original novel, 'far from a Jane Austen creation'.

The ITV adaptation of the famous author's unfinished novel, which hit screens last month, featured a kiss between Sir Edward Denham, played by Jack Fox, and his step sister Esther Denham, portrayed by Charlotte Spencer.

Jane Austen's final, unfinished novel got to the 12th chapter before ill health prevented her from completing it, introducing the cast of characters to the seaside resort of Sanditon - but ending before the plot could really get going.

And the new adaptation sees the controversial relationship between the step siblings added into the plot, in a story line which did not take place in the original book. 

The plot twist was written into the script by screenwriter Andrew Davies, famous for 'sexing up' his scripts , who also included an incestuous relationship in his 2016 BBC version of War And Peace.

And many fans reacted with surprise at the plot twist, with one branding it a 'recycled Pride and Prejudice for millennials'.

Viewers have had branded the incestuous story line in last night's episode of Sanditon, 'far from a Jane Austen creation'. The ITV adaptation of the famous author's unfinished novel, which began last month, featured a kiss between Sir Edward Denham, played by Jack Fox, and his step sister Esther Denham, portrayed by Charlotte Spencer - in a story line which did not take place in the original book

Viewers have had branded the incestuous story line in last night's episode of Sanditon, 'far from a Jane Austen creation'. The ITV adaptation of the famous author's unfinished novel, which began last month, featured a kiss between Sir Edward Denham, played by Jack Fox, and his step sister Esther Denham, portrayed by Charlotte Spencer - in a story line which did not take place in the original book

One viewer wrote: 'Problem in so far with Sanditon seems like a recycled pride and prejudice for millennials. Pretty sure that wasn't Austen's intention'.

Another claimed: 'The brother and sister here are more reminiscent of Anatole and Helene Kuragin in Tolstoy's War and Peace than any Jane Austen creation.'

Elsewhere one tweeted: 'Watching ITV's adaptation of Sanditon. Can't imagine the incest subplot was in the original'. 

'I cannot believe I'm watching straight up incest for the Leo Suter's scenes. This had better be worth it', another added. 

Many fans reacted with surprise at the plot twist, with one branding it a 'recycled Pride and Prejudice for millenials'

Many fans reacted with surprise at the plot twist, with one branding it a 'recycled Pride and Prejudice for millenials'

Giving the script writers a hard name to live up to, one even said: 'Jane Austen would probably be mortified!'.

'Am I the only one thinking #Sanditon is, you know, okay for a Sunday night, but a long way from what Austen might eventually have completed?', another said.

Another said: 'Catching up on #Sanditon doesn't feel very Jane Austen like! Or maybe I've just been ruined by Game of Thrones.'

Others reacted with shock at the twist, with one writing: 'He is your brother, no!!'. 

But not everyone was as critical, with some viewers branding it the 'best episode to date'.

Giving the script writers a hard name to live up to, One even said: 'Jane Austen would probably be mortified!'

Giving the script writers a hard name to live up to, One even said: 'Jane Austen would probably be mortified!'

Others reacted with shock at the twist, with one writing: 'He is your brother, no!!'

Others reacted with shock at the twist, with one writing: 'He is your brother, no!!'

Another added: 'Wow, this version of #Sanditon sure is darker than the book! And Charlotte and Sidney's dynamic so far is quite antagonistic. Interested to see where they take this'.

Elsewhere a viewer praised the series for including two black characters, adding that it was 'unusual for a period drama'. 

So far, the Edward and Andrew had spent most of their time plotting to benefit from the will of their aunt Lady Denham (Anne Reid).

But the drama has also included hints that the relationship between the step-siblings was far from conventional.

And last night's passionate clinch came as Sir Edward helped fasten Esther firmly into her gown, after promising her 'a life the poets would envy'.

Another said: 'Catching up on #Sanditon doesn't feel very Jane Austen like! Or maybe I've just been ruined by Game of Thrones.'

Another said: 'Catching up on #Sanditon doesn't feel very Jane Austen like! Or maybe I've just been ruined by Game of Thrones.'

After the scenes aired, Davies admitted he had invented the incestuous relationship.

He said: 'This is not in the novel. It's my interpretation. They are not exactly brother and sister – they are step-siblings.'

The writer added: 'Unsuitable attachments went on in those days at least as much as today.'

Andrew, 82, is a Welsh screenwriter was made a BAFTA fellow in 2002 - a lifetime achievement award presented by BAFTA in recognition of 'outstanding achievement in the art forms of the moving image'.

The award-wining scriptwriter is famous for writing hit series House Of Cards and A Very Peculiar Practice, along with his adaptations of Vanity Fair, Pride and Prejudice and War & Peace.

However others praised the adaptation. Elsewhere a viewer praised the series for including two black characters, adding that it was 'unusual for a period drama'

However others praised the adaptation. Elsewhere a viewer praised the series for including two black characters, adding that it was 'unusual for a period drama'

Last night's passionate clinch came as Sir Edward helped fasten Esther firmly into her gown, after promising her 'a life the poets would envy'

Last night's passionate clinch came as Sir Edward helped fasten Esther firmly into her gown, after promising her 'a life the poets would envy'

 

 

 

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