• Network: PBS
  • Series Premiere Date: May 13, 2018
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 18
  2. Negative: 1 out of 18

Critic Reviews

  1. Reviewed by: Hanh Nguyen
    May 14, 2018
    100
    Beautifully produced and faithful to the original story, the miniseries also captures the joyful spirit of the novel despite its many heartaches. For every generation comes a new Little Women, but PBS’ version promises to be the go-to standard for a long time to come.
  2. Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    May 9, 2018
    88
    A luminous adaptation, with Hawke as one more memorable “Jo” in a long and glorious line of them.
  3. Reviewed by: Allison Shoemaker
    May 14, 2018
    80
    Caswill and her team wisely let these performances and this great writing do most of the lifting, but rest assured that the direction, cinematography, costume and production design, and the simple but intoxicating score are all capable at worst, lovely at best, and thoughtful all the way through.
  4. Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    May 11, 2018
    80
    It's always a challenge tackling such a familiar and beloved story, and bringing enough freshness or relevance to justify devoting three hours to it. Still, it's hard to find many weaknesses -- manly or otherwise -- in this latest take on Little Women.
  5. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Apr 26, 2018
    80
    Warm and intimate, with an unforced realism that keep schmaltz to a minimum. [30 Apr - 13 May 2018, p.12]
  6. Reviewed by: Kelly Lawler
    May 11, 2018
    75
    Warm, idyllic and impeccably acted.
  7. Reviewed by: Kristi Turnquist
    May 10, 2018
    70
    The performances are generally fine, if a bit lacking in star quality.
  8. Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    May 10, 2018
    70
    The casting is solid, with Emily Watson particularly affecting as Marmee. The star, though, is Maya Hawke, who captures the spirited Jo nicely as she grows into a committed writer and uncompromising lover.
  9. Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    May 9, 2018
    70
    Warm, welcoming and occasionally tear-jerking, this three-hour production goes down like a warm glass of milk at bedtime.
User Score
4.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 11
  2. Negative: 5 out of 11
  1. May 14, 2018
    0
    Saccharine silliness. An insult to a great book and to those who cherish it.
  2. Oct 3, 2018
    3
    This series was a waste of time. The acting was okay the production values were the only thing that allowed me to rate it a 3. Amy was a kidThis series was a waste of time. The acting was okay the production values were the only thing that allowed me to rate it a 3. Amy was a kid that should have grown up but she didn't. Instead they had a grown woman play her all the way through. I also thought that many of the things that made the girls different were not emphasized enough. They all seemed to be the same person with no real differences at all. Most of the important events were not well expressed or were omitted entirely. So yes, this series was a complete fail and I do not recommend it. Full Review »