Lovers of the period drama genre, this one will be perfect for your pre-Christmas watching, and it is streaming free of charge.

Dickensian is a British drama television series that first aired on BBC One from December 26, 2015, to February 21, 2016. The 20-part series, created and co-written by Tony Jordan, brings characters from many Charles Dickens novels together in one Victorian London neighbourhood, as Inspector Bucket investigates the murder of Ebenezer Scrooge's partner, Jacob Marley.

The series comprises a total of 20 episodes, each lasting 30 minutes. The cast includes Alexandra Moen, Tom Weston-Jones, Jennifer Hennessy, Joseph Quinn and Stephen Rea, among others.

The series synopsis reads: "Dickensian is a drama that weaves together characters and storylines from various Charles Dickens novels into a single Victorian London neighbourhood. The main plot follows Inspector Bucket as he investigates the murder of Jacob Marley, while other intertwined stories include the vengeful Arthur Havisham and the secret lovers Honoria Barbary and Captain James Hawdon. The series brings together iconic figures like Scrooge, Fagin, and Miss Havisham, exploring their pre-established backstories in a new, unified narrative."

The series has been hailed by critics, with fans taking to IMDb to share their thoughts on the series.

One reviewer awarded the series, which they described as "superb", with 10/10 and said: "Absolutely fantastic, the cast, the characters are just amazing. The very best of British and so clever to combine different characters for this series, 10 out of 10."

Another said: "I think it's a totally original and powerful series that actually magnetises you from the first episode to the last one. Amazing interpretations, beautiful and appropriate costumes and scenery and generally very careful work at every point. Congratulations to all contributors, thank you!"

A third viewer expressed: "This series brought Dickens to life in such a refreshing way. It was fun to see all the different books being brought together. The dark retelling is superb. And what acting!! I want more!"

"As someone else headlined, this program should not work, but it does, and beautifully. Drawing characters from at least a half dozen Dickens works into a single universe and shaping a very Dickensian Victorian social melodrama/murder mystery would seem to be a formidable undertaking, particularly when juggling so many separate narratives. First-rate production values, excellent writing and superb performances (Stephen Rea's Bucket is just wonderful) made this one of the very few truly must-see series I've come across," added a fourth.

Dickensian is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.