'Simply the best' period drama based on novel by 'master of the genre'

Period drama fans have found the perfect binge-watch based on a beloved novel by a "queen of the genre". Set in 1927 at the end of the roaring twenties, the two-part series tells the sinister story of widower Maxim de Winter, who falls for the naive companion of 'Ugly American' Mrs Van Hopper.

The unnamed young bride - who is only known as the new Mrs de Winter - heads to her new home in a sprawling manor house, where she learns the true fate of de Winter's first wife Rebecca, who was the victim of a sailing accident, her body found 40 miles up the coast by her distraught husband.

Housemaid Mrs Danvers remains devoted to Rebecca and shuts the new Mrs de Winter out, which only makes her more determined to find out the truth about her predecessor. What follows is the haunting story of Rebecca, based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier.

The TV adaptation was first released in 1997 and broadcast on ITV, adapted for screen by Arthur Hopcraft based on du Maurier's 1938 novel.

Reviews for the series branded it a "splendid slow-paced mystery", with one writing: "This is a terrific adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's 1938 novel. The period detail, costume and scenery are all spot-on, and the acting is good, especially among the principals. Generally, this television version is more faithful to the book, both in spirit and in plot, than the 1940 Hitchcock version with Laurence Oliver and Joan Fontaine."

Another echoed: "This was an excellent production of a famous story. The acting was just as good as the previous versions and the photography was the best, far better than most theatrical movies."

While someone else agreed: "First of all, I enjoyed the old classic version of the 1940s Rebecca with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine and I have seen it over 100 times in my lifetime.

"However, I find myself very captivated by this 1997 version by Masterpiece Theatre and with its great actors, the ensemble cast, the music score, the filming location and the more detailed storyline, which is simply superb and very well done. I believe the 1997 version is the best version of Rebecca, second to the book.

"Further, I have seen ALL the versions of Rebecca and have read the book by Daphne Du Maurier and can actually comment in good faith that this is simply the best adaptation with more details about the characters that you don't see in the 1940s version."

Du Maurier has been branded a "queen of her genre" of period mysteries - and Rebecca is not one to miss.