Dickinson is an American historicalcomedy-dramaweb television series about Emily Dickinson, created by Alena Smith and produced for Apple TV+. Starring Hailee Steinfeld as Dickinson, the first season was released on November 1, 2019, when Apple TV+ debuted. A second season was ordered in October 2019, before the series premiered.
Premise
Dickinson takes place "during Emily Dickinson's era with a modern sensibility and tone. It takes viewers into the world of Emily, audaciously exploring the constraints of society, gender, and family from the perspective of a budding writer who doesn't fit in to her own time through her imaginative point of view. Dickinson is Emily's coming-of-age story – one woman's fight to get her voice heard."
Cast and characters
Main
Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson, an aspiring poet who is in love with her best friend, and her brother's fiancée, Sue. She pushes back against her parents' attempts to find her a suitor.
Toby Huss as Edward Dickinson, the father of Emily, Austin, and Lavinia who holds traditional views and disapproves of Emily's writing. He later runs for Congress.
Anna Baryshnikov as Lavinia "Vinnie" Dickinson, the youngest of the Dickinson siblings; she is upset that her parents aren't attempting to find her a suitor. She has her eyes on Joseph Lyman.
Ella Hunt as Sue Gilbert, Emily's best friend and Austin's fiancée. She's recently orphaned and lived at a boarding house before moving in with Emily's family.
Recurring
Darlene Hunt as Maggie, a maid hired by Edward at the request of Emily.
On May 30, 2018, it was announced that Apple had given the production a straight-to-series order. The series is written by Alena Smith who is also set to executive produce alongside Paul Lee, David Gordon Green, Michael Sugar, Ashley Zalta, Alex Goldstone, and Darlene Hunt. Green is also expected to direct as well. Production companies involved with the series include wiip and Anonymous Content. In October 2019, The Hollywood Reporter reported Dickinson had been renewed for a second season.
Casting
Alongside the initial series announcement, it was confirmed that Hailee Steinfeld would star as Emily Dickinson. On August 29, 2018, it was announced that Jane Krakowski had been cast in a starring role. On September 26, 2018, it was announced that Toby Huss, Anna Baryshnikov, Ella Hunt and Adrian Enscoe had been cast as series regulars. On January 29, 2019, it was reported that Matt Lauria had joined the cast in a recurring capacity. In September 2019, it was announced Wiz Khalifa and John Mulaney had joined the cast of the series. In December 2019, it was announced that Finn Jones and Pico Alexander had been cast in the series. Jones plays Samuel Bowles, a newspaper editor, while Alexander plays Henry “Ship” Shipley, a dropout and boarder of the Dickinson's.
Filming
Principal photography for the series commenced on January 7, 2019, in Old Bethpage, New York. In March 2019, it was reported by The New York Times that filming has been concluded. In November 2019, Steinfeld confirmed that filming for season two was underway and had been for several months.
Critical response
Critical reception
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 74% approval rating with an average rating of 6.45/10, based on 62 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Audacious and aspirational, Dickinsons bold blend of period-drama and millennial milieu definitely won't be for all, but those looking to break free from the doldrums of their viewing life may find some kind of hope in its singular vision." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 66 out of 100 based on 29 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
