The series follows the Brontë siblings from their childhoods up until their early deaths.
Branwell has high hopes of success in the literary world, but multiple misfortunes cause him to plummet into alcohol and drug abuse. His sisters, meanwhile, are penning what will become some of the greatest works in English literature.
Tropes:
- Affectionate Nickname: The sisters call their brother "Branny".
- Foregone Conclusion: All the Brontë children will die young, and the sisters' books will be classics.
- Historical Domain Character: The Brontë family.
- Mrs. Robinson: Anne secures a tutoring position for Branwell at the estate where she is employed as a governess. The lady of the house, almost fifteen years Branwell's senior, is attracted to him and leads him into having an affair with her. Her name actually is Mrs. Robinson!
- Narrator: Barbara Leigh-Hunt provides narration, and in the final episode portrays Elizabeth Gaskell, who would write the first biography of her friend Charlotte Brontë.
- Outliving One's Offspring: All of the Rev. Patrick Brontë's children have died by the end, leaving him alone.
- Sole Survivor: The father, Rev. Patrick Brontë, is the only member of the family alive at the end of the series.
