Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brontë adaptation has some scary scenes, suicide reference.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Jane Eyre
What's the Story?
In JANE EYRE, young orphan Jane (Ruth Wilson) is mistreated by her aunt and cousins and placed in an orphanage. When old enough, she advertises as a governess and is hired by a brooding, reclusive man called Rochester (Toby Stephens). Both haunted by troubles from their past, the two develop an unlikely relationship, but a secret locked away in within the crumbling walls of the mansion threatens to tear them apart.
Is It Any Good?
A story regularly adapted for stage and screen, this four-part drama remains faithful to the original classic novel by Charlotte Brontë. The setting of this 2006 version of Jane Eyre perfectly captures the tone -- in turn dark and claustrophobic, then wild and unpredictable, moving between the bleak, endless moors, the fading gothic grandeur of the mansion's interiors, and the gloomy, shadowy spaces of the orphanage. Nightmarish visions of childhood trauma and billowing, banshee-like presences are brought to vivid life as they stalk the characters' minds, the show refusing to turn too far from the harsh realities of the book.
Wilson was nominated for a Golden Globe as Jane, all stoic control until she's challenged by her deep need to be loved, flashes of fear, and desire. It's an excellent portrayal with Wilson adding depth and complexity throughout. Stephens' Rochester is more amiable than usual, less the tortured, overbearing recluse and more the weary bachelor looking for something more real than the polished society surrounding him. Dark, devastating, and undeniably gripping throughout, this sits confidently among the prolific adaptations of this literary classic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the story of Jane Eyre is considered a feminist classic by many. What character strengths and traits does Jane show that means she is viewed as such a strong female role model, even today?
Did you find any of the scenes frightening or intense? If so, which ones. Discuss some of the techniques used to create atmosphere in the show.
How does the film explore the past and the way in which it impacts the present?
How does this version of the story compare to other versions you may have seen or read? If you haven't read the original book, did this TV series make you want to?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 21, 2007
- Cast : Ruth Wilson , Toby Stephens , Lorraine Ashbourne
- Network : Max
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Adoptees and Foster Kids ) , Book Characters , Faith , Friendship , Activism ( Gender equality ) , School , Travel
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 9, 2025
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