There’s a lot of stories you can explore in a TV series about famous poet Emily Dickinson. From her status as a woman writer in 19th century America to her speculated sexuality that was kept hidden largely due to her reclusive nature, a series devoted to Dickinson’s life has no shortage of avenues to travel. But somehow, even with an obvious trajectory, the new Apple TV+ series, “Dickinson,” somehow surprises you.
Immediately, when the music kicks in, the first teaser for “Dickinson” establishes that this isn’t your typical period drama. In fact, it’s not a drama at all, with the title character being characterized as a rebel in a period where women didn’t do such things. But even with its tone, “Dickinson” also surprises with its way of using modern culture and dance in the 19th-century setting, making this a show that cares more about the theme and style than any sort of strict period accuracy.
“Dickinson” is created by Alena Smith. You probably best know Smith for her work as a writer and producer on series like “The Newsroom” and “The Affair.” Both of those are more dramatic than what is seen in “Dickinson,” so it’ll be interesting to see how Smith’s sensibilities translate to this stylish period work.
The new comedy series stars Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson, Jane Krakowski as Mrs. Dickinson, Toby Huss as Edward Dickinson, Anna Baryshnikov as Lavinia Dickinson, Ella Hunt as Sue Gilbert, and Adrian Enscoe as Austin Dickinson
“Dickinson” is expected to arrive on AppleTV+ sometime in the fall.
Here’s the synopsis:
Dickinson is a half-hour comedy series starring Oscar® nominee Hailee Steinfeld. Created by Alena Smith, Dickinson audaciously explores the constraints of society, gender, and family from the perspective of rebellious young poet Emily Dickinson.