Is Wicked Little Letters Based On A Real-Life Story? True Incident Behind Movie Explored

As a connoisseur of period dramas who has spent countless hours poring over the intricacies of society’s past, I must say that Three Wicked Letters on Netflix is a captivating addition to the genre. The series masterfully weaves a tale of scandal, rivalry, and human behavior in a 1920s coastal village, all while providing a nuanced look at societal expectations.


As an utterly captivated admirer, I can’t help but sing the praises of Thea Sharrock’s mesmerizing drama series, “Three Wicked Letters,” now streaming on Netflix. This enchanting production takes us on a journey to the picturesque coastal village of Littlehampton, West Sussex, in the 1920s, where a whirlwind of scandal unfolds. The narrative centers around the escalating rivalry between Rose Gooding and Edith Swan, two neighboring ladies whose peaceful lives are disrupted by a series of scandalous, anonymous letters. I simply can’t get enough!

Living nearby is Rose Gooding, an outspoken Irish newcomer with a reputation for lively behavior, who resides in the same building as Edith Swan, a quiet English woman working as a laundry maid. The Gooding family – comprising Rose, her sister Ruth, and several children – are quite notorious in the neighborhood due to their boisterous and noisy nature.

Instead, Edith Swan resides with her relatives – her mother, Mary Ann, and siblings, Ernest and Stephen. Meanwhile, her future spouse is stationed abroad in Iraq, thus leaving the domestic tasks at home for her to handle.

Rose alleges that Edith is responsible for a string of nasty, harmful letters she received. According to Edith, she had nothing to do with these offensive mails. As more people in Littlehampton start getting similar abusive letters, the dispute between Rose and Edith worsens, causing trouble throughout the neighborhood.

As the probe proceeds, Officer Gladys, portrayed by Anjana Vasan, finds herself immersed in the case. She’s resolute about unmasking the real culprit behind the anonymous letters and reestablishing peace. Her investigation unearths the intricacies of social relationships within the community, as well as the stressors individuals experience in a tightly-wound social fabric.

“Three Scandalous Letters” offers an engrossing exploration of early 20th-century society, tackling topics like reputation, bias, and the repercussions of destructive rumors. Though it may initially appear far-fetched, the series provides a subtle, insightful portrayal of human actions and societal norms.

In the film, several fictional elements focus on the omission of the families from both parties. The character Edith is portrayed as an only child, while many relatives of Rose Gooding’s character, such as her second child Ruth and her own offspring, are noticeably absent.

Contrary to how he was portrayed in the film, Gooding wasn’t Irish; instead, he was born in Lewes, Sussex, England. Unlike the movie suggested, Rose Gooding and Edith Swan were not as old as depicted. In reality, they were 30 years old when the conflict began, while the actresses playing them, Colman and Buckley, are 16 years older than that.

1. The Wicked Little Letters‘ cast boasts diversity and strength. Yet, all parties embroiled in the conflict were white and British. A significant character from the book, Rose, is twelve years older than her spouse, Bill Gooding, who was portrayed by actor Malachi Kirby, a white sailor. Additionally, Gladys Moss, an officer with the West Sussex Police and a white British national, was also part of the dispute.

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2024-08-03 17:38