The Crimson Petal and the White, adapted from the novel by Michael Faber, is the dark tale of a clever prostitute in Victorian London who uses not only her body to satisfy her clients, but also her mind. Sugar (Romola Garai) is the most popular prostitute at Mrs. Castaway's (Gillian Anderson) pleasure palace and she is well known to always satisfy those she sees. When William Rackham (Chris O'Dowd, Bridesmaids) seeks out her company following an altercation with his insane wife, Agnes (Amanda Hale), he finds in Sugar a kindred spirit - a ravishing redhead who shares his penchant for literature and is secretly writing a gothic tale of murder and revenge at the brothel. Naturally, he continues to seek out her company, for the physical and intellectual stimulation. William is a failed writer who has been cut off financially by his father, a perfumer. However, his discussions with Sugar fuel his creativity and he becomes interested in his father's business and is taken back into his family's good graces. Soon, Sugar becomes his exclusive mistress and he moves her into a lovely apartment and out of the clutches of the evil Mrs. Castaway, a vile and cruel woman who has tormented Sugar her entire life. Meanwhile, William's brother, Henry (Mark Gatiss), is a devoted Christian man who has fallen in love with a widowed neighbor, Mrs. Emmeline Fox (Shirley Henderson, Harry Potter), while all Mrs. Fox cares about is her work with the Rescue Society, saving prostitutes from their lives of sin. With Sugar in now William's life now, Mrs. Fox may present a problem later on down the line.

However, William's home life suffers even as his personal life gets a boost from Sugar. His delicate wife, Agnes, continues to spiral further into insanity, even as her personal physician, Dr. Curlew (Richard E. Grant), inflicts sexual torture on her in the form of her "treatments and examinations." Sadly, a chance glimpse of Sugar through Agnes' bedroom window starts her off on the misconception that Sugar is her personal guardian angel. When William's governess resigns, Sugar suggests that she could be his daughter's new governess and they could be closer to one another. Sugar has to adopt a completely new visage for her role, but she falls completely in love with Sophie (Isla Watt), the Rackham's sweet young child. Because of Agnes' mental illness, the child has never seen her mother and Sugar quickly falls into the surrogate role. Further, she finds herself wanting to save Agnes, after finding her diaries and learning of the torture she endures. Although it was never her intention, Sugar becomes completely entwined into the Rackham family, even as William pushes her away. After several tragic events occur within the family, Sugar realizes that she will never have a place at William's side and she decides to take matters into her own hands, when William reveals he is not the sweet and gentle man she thought he was.

For starters, the opening scene of The Crimson Petal and the White is a visual treat. With Sugar eloquently narrating, or rather, reading from her novel, the viewer is taken through the back streets of London, as their senses are assailed by the delicately falling snow and the visions of the city's unfortunate denizens. It's a fantastic sequence and really sets the tone for the film. Mrs. Castaway's place of business is somewhat other-wordly, with its brash, red décor and her garishly made-up face. It's definitely Gillian Anderson in a very different role than I have ever seen her and she's excellent. Chris O'Dowd is always seen in a comedic role, and although he plays the fool at times as Rackham, this is a dramatic role through and through and he does a good job. I could have gone my whole life without seeing him nude, but he is very believable in his role. Romola Garai is mesmerizing as you watch her transformation from beguiling but guarded prostitute, to carefree mistress, to surrogate mother and she is just fantastic, while Amanda Hale as Agnes is truly heartbreaking. Such a delicate little thing, she evokes complete sympathy and sadness as she struggles so valiantly to regain her sanity.

The special features are pretty slim here and only include a handful of deleted scenes, some brief interviews with the actors and crew and static character biographies. However, The Crimson Petal and the White doesn't need special features, though I would have happily watched more of them. The amazing series stands on its own and I loved it. It's beautifully shot and directed, flawlessly acted, and with a compelling story that will keep you glued from the first moment. If you enjoy period dramas, and don't mind the adult storyline, you will love The Crimson Petal and the White.