
This British period drama has a wry impudence about it that may draw viewers of a very popular Netflix original series. Mr. Malcolm’s List is faithful to Suzanne Allain’s opus (which she adapts) under the workmanlike direction of Amma Holly Jones. It’s loosely based on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice with some of the machinations of a ‘Cyrano de Bergerac.’ It hits the expected beats not with the flair of such a revered antecedent, but can often fit the bill as a spry comedy of manners with a luxuriance that works nicely even on smaller screens. Even with a capable, colorful ensemble more recognizable like Freida Pinto and Theo James to less so in Zawe Ashton and Some Dirisu. This list is pretty, mindful though not emotionally potent like a Regency-period piece of nearly decade ago, Belle.