Discover The Granville Girls: Netflix's New Romantic Drama Heads to the Canadian Rockies

Netflix is bringing a grand new historical romance to your screens with The Granville Girls, an eight-episode series promising breathtaking scenery, enduring friendships, and a forbidden love story, all set in Canada's majestic mountains.

TL;DR

• Netflix is set to premiere The Granville Girls, an 8-episode romantic drama rooted in the picturesque Canadian Rockies.
• The series is inspired by Cat Cahill's beloved The Gilbert Girls books, focusing on a hotel worker's journey and secret romance.
• Helmed by acclaimed showrunner Adriana Maggs and executive producer Christina Jennings from the renowned Shaftesbury production company.

A Grand New Romance Is Brewing in the Heart of the Canadian Rockies

Get ready to mark your calendars (well, eventually!) because Netflix has officially greenlit a new romantic drama that sounds absolutely captivating. Titled The Granville Girls, this eight-part series is poised to transport audiences back in time to the stunning Canadian Rockies, a setting that promises to be just as much a character as the people within its story. If you're a fan of sweeping historical sagas, tales of blossoming friendships, and, of course, a dash of forbidden love, then this one's probably going straight onto your "to-watch" list.

This isn't just any romance; it's a Canadian-made original that's got some serious talent behind it, drawing inspiration from a much-loved book series. Imagine the beauty of the vast Canadian landscape combined with a heartfelt story about a young woman finding her way in a new world. Sounds pretty dreamy, right?

Unpacking the Enticing Plot: Forbidden Love at the Granville Hotel

So, what's the buzz about? The Granville Girls introduces us to Emma Daniels, a spirited young woman who becomes one of the "Granville Girls." These are a select group of women hired to work at the prestigious Granville Hotel as the mighty railway cuts its path across the rugged Canadian Rockies. It’s a job that offers Emma not just adventure and a chance to forge new friendships, but also a vital opportunity to support her family.

But, as with all good dramas, there's a catch, and it's a big one: the hotel has a strict, unbreakable rule – no fraternizing with the men. Of course, fate has other plans. Emma's heart gets tangled up with the hotel's mysterious builder, setting her on a collision course with the rules and forcing her to make a choice that could cost her everything. The official logline paints a picture of a compelling journey:

"As the great railway sweeps across the Canadian Rockies, Emma Daniels becomes a ‘Granville Girl,’ one of a select few women hired to work at the Granville Hotel. The job offers adventure, friendship, and a chance to support her family—if she can resist the hotel’s strictest rule: never fraternize with the men. But when Emma’s heart is captured by the hotel’s mysterious builder, she faces a choice that could cost her everything."

It sounds like a classic tale of romance, ambition, and the timeless struggle between duty and desire, all wrapped up in a visually spectacular package.

Meet the Visionary Team Bringing This Story to Life on Your Screens

A great story needs a great team, and The Granville Girls has certainly assembled one. At the helm as both writer and showrunner is Adriana Maggs. If her name sounds familiar, it's because she's got a impressive resume, including work on popular series like Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent and Frontier. Maggs also directed the 2010 film Grown Up Movie Star, which featured talents like Tatiana Maslany, Shawn Doyle, and Jonny Harris. Her "distinctive voice" has been praised by Netflix's content directors, Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury, which bodes well for the series.

On the executive producing side, we have Christina Jennings, the formidable Chairman, President, and founder of Shaftesbury. This Canadian indie producer is a powerhouse, known for bringing us beloved shows like Murdoch Mysteries and Departure. Jennings expressed her excitement about the project:

"Shaftesbury is delighted to partner with Netflix and showrunner Adriana Maggs to bring The Granville Girls to the screen. Global audiences will discover the splendour of the Rocky Mountains — a perfect setting for our young women to explore adventure, friendship and romance."

— Christina Jennings, Chairman and President of Shaftesbury

With this kind of talent guiding the show, we can expect a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant viewing experience.

From Page to Screen: How The Gilbert Girls Transform for a Canadian Setting

The eight-episode series isn't an entirely original concept; it's based on Cat Cahill's popular book series, The Gilbert Girls. Fun fact: while the books are typically set in rural Colorado, the Netflix adaptation will be "shot north of the U.S. border amid the picturesque Canadian Rockies," according to reports. This change of scenery allows for a fresh perspective and utilizes the unique grandeur of the Canadian landscape, especially relevant to the railway theme.

Book lovers might be interested to know that there are at least six books in The Gilbert Girls series so far, kicking off with Forbidden Forever and most recently featuring On the Edge of Forever. These books have garnered high praise from readers, often described as "sweet and clean." This detail is significant because it hints at a different kind of romance compared to some other popular period dramas.

Netflix's Expanding Universe of Period Dramas and Canadian-Made Originals

It's no secret that Netflix has a knack for successful romantic dramas. Just look at the phenomenon that is Bridgerton! While The Granville Girls might share the "period romance" label, its book roots as "sweet and clean" suggest it could offer an alternative to the more explicit scenes found in Bridgerton, potentially appealing to an even wider audience looking for heartwarming stories. Netflix has also seen success in the "western romance" space with series like Ransom Canyon, based on Jodi Thomas's Texas-set novels, which has even been renewed for a second season. This indicates a clear appetite for these kinds of narratives on the platform.

Beyond romance, Netflix has been steadily growing its commitment to Canadian content. While not always a "prolific commissioner" in Canada, the streamer has ordered notable originals like the sci-fi series Travelers and an untitled drama from Jesse McKeown set in Newfoundland. They've also co-produced hits like the Arctic-set sitcom North of North, which was renewed for a second season, and Mae Martin's drama Wayward, which topped global charts upon its September 25 release. The Granville Girls solidifies Netflix's dedication to showcasing diverse Canadian stories and talent, further building on a strong foundation.

Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury, Directors of Content – Canada at Netflix, expressed their confidence:

"The Granville Girls is a big, blue sky series that offers the comfort of female friendship and the allure of period romance. Between Adriana’s distinctive voice and Christina’s powerhouse producing, we’re confident that audiences are going to be hooked from the first episode."

— Danielle Woodrow and Tara Woodbury, Directors of Content – Canada at Netflix

This "big, blue sky" description suggests a show filled with hope, grand vistas, and uplifting themes – exactly what many viewers crave.

Why The Granville Girls Could Be Your Next Obsession: Friendship, Adventure, and Sweet Romance

What makes The Granville Girls sound so irresistible? It's the perfect blend of elements that resonate deeply with audiences. You have the allure of a historical period, specifically the exciting era of railway expansion, which symbolizes progress, new beginnings, and opportunities. Then there's the focus on female friendship, providing a comforting and relatable core amidst the romantic drama. These young women, the "Granville Girls," are seeking adventure and a chance to make their own way, which is a powerful and enduring theme.

And, of course, the romance itself! The tension of a forbidden love, the mystery of the "builder," and the stakes of Emma potentially losing everything create a compelling hook. Given the books' reputation for being "sweet and clean," viewers can anticipate a romance that relies on emotional depth, character development, and narrative tension rather than explicit content. This could carve out a unique niche for the series, appealing to those who appreciate a more gentle, yet equally passionate, love story.

The breathtaking backdrop of the Canadian Rockies isn't just a pretty picture; it sets the tone for an expansive story, full of potential for both personal discovery and grand romantic gestures. The combination of a strong creative team, beloved source material, and Netflix's track record in the genre means this series has all the ingredients for a major hit.

Everything We Know So Far About The Granville Girls Release and Casting Details

While the excitement is palpable, there are still a few key details we're eagerly waiting for. As of now, Netflix has not announced a specific release date for The Granville Girls. Production details, including exact filming locations within the Rockies, are also yet to be revealed. And perhaps the biggest question on everyone's mind – who will be cast as Emma Daniels and her mysterious love interest? – remains unanswered. No word on casting has been made public.

However, the greenlight for an eight-episode series is a firm commitment from Netflix, and with the creative team in place, things are definitely moving forward. Keep an eye out for future announcements regarding casting and a premiere date. This sounds like a show that will be worth the wait for anyone who loves a good historical romance with heart, adventure, and stunning scenery.

Sources

• Deadline: Netflix’s Newest Canadian Scripted Series Is ‘The Granville Girls,’ Romantic Drama From Adriana Maggs & Shaftesbury
• The Hollywood Reporter: Netflix Greenlights New Historical Romance Series ‘The Granville Girls’
• Variety: Netflix Canada Orders Series Adaptation of Cat Cahill’s ‘Gilbert Girls’ Western Romance Books
• CochraneNow: Rockies backdrop for Netflix Canada’s The Granville Girls
• Screen Rant: Netflix Announces Bridgerton Replacement With New Historical Romance
• The Star: Netflix is betting on love in the Canadian Rockies with ‘The Granville Girls’
• Flickering Myth: Netflix orders Canadian drama The Granville Girls
• Exclaim!: Netflix Announces Canadian Period Romance 'The Granville Girls'
• C21 Media: Netflix Canada orders period romance drama based on The Gilbert Girls book series
• DiscoverAirdrie: Netflix Canada orders Rockies-set romance drama The Granville Girls