Voting in the Second Period Drama Heroine Tournament and don't know of a particular heroine? Look no further than this page! Here, I have a profile for each contestant, but I didn't do it alone. Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~, Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm , and Charity U from Austenitis also wrote profiles.
Profiles are grouped by Period Drama in alphabetical order. Within a period drama, characters are listed by importance (for instance, a main character would be before a smaller character)
Amazing Grace
Period Drama: Amazing Grace
(The movie is based on real people and events)
Age: probably mid-20s
Good points: Clever, dedicated, witty, a good listener
Faults: Sometimes stubborn
Her story: Barbara doesn’t appreciate it when her friend tries to introduce her to a potential husband, but she and William Wilberforce (both of them dedicated opposers of the slave trade) are actually a very good match.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Anne of Green Gables
Name: Anne ShirleyNovel: The Anne of Green Gables series
Author: Lucy Maud Montgomery
Age: 11 and up (In the movies – first: 13-16; second: 18)
Good points: Imaginative, usually cheerful, bright, loyal
Faults: Stubborn/unforgiving, “has a very bad temper”, oblivious, overly dramatic, and has a talent for making mishaps.
Her story: Orphaned very young, Anne has spent her childhood unwanted in orphanages and homes. Her life turns around when she goes to live at Green Gables in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, where she brightens up the lives of the old brother and sister who adopt her.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
The Barchester Chronicles
Name: Eleanor Harding Bold
Novel: The Warden and Barchester Towers (film The Barchester Chronicles)Author: Anthony Trollope
Age: Early to mid 20's
Good Points: Kind, devoted daughter, smart.
Faults: Quick tempered, sometimes prejudiced.
Her Story: Eleanor lives with her warden father Revered Harding and boldly defends him against accusations that he's misusing the local hospital's money. She marries doctor John Bold but after being widowed she keeps house with her sister-in-law Mary and is courted by hypocritical Rev. Obadiah Slope, spendthrift Bertie Stanhope and scholar Mr. Francis Arabin.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
Cranford
Name: Matilda "Matty" Jenkyns
Novel: CranfordAuthor: Elizabeth Gaskell
Age: 60's
Good Points: Kind, tenderhearted, helpful, generous
Faults: A bit scatter brained and sometimes overly cautious. Tends to worry.
Her Story: Miss Matty and her older sister Miss Deborah were daughters of the deceased vicar and have kept house together in the village of Cranford where they lead in fashion, sense and social graces. As the youngest sibling Miss Matty has leaned on Deborah's good sense and practicality and has given up even true love in order to help her family. When Deborah is gone she must learn to shift for herself but it may take a little help from her neighbors.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm 
Novel: Cranford
Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
Age: early 20s
Good points: Bright, kind, understanding, polite, sensible, sincere
Faults: “Indiscreet and incautious”; although she is usually patient, she is easily irritated in some cases (though one can hardly blame her).
Her story: Unable to bear her irksome step-mother and the “attempts to marry her off,” Mary pays a long visit to her friends Deborah and Matilda (or “Miss Matty”) Jenkyns, two kindly spinsters, in a small village called Cranford. She loves to observe people and be involved in their activities.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Name: Sophy HuttonNovel: Cranford
Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
Age: 20
Good Points: Sweet, friendly, kind devoted sister and daughter.
Faults: Too hard on herself, holds grudges.
Her Story: Since the death of their mother Sophy has cared for her younger siblings and vicar father. She falls in love with the new physician, Dr. Frank Harrison but tragedies get in the way.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
Name: Jessie BrownNovel: Cranford
Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
Age: 28
Good Points: Sweet, caring, talented.
Faults: Denies herself the comforts of life.
Her Story: Jessie has worked herself very hard and denied herself love in order to care for her sick mother and sister until their deaths. She is still in love with Major Gordon and almost accepts him when he proposes to her again but fears leaving her father alone.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
Daniel Deronda
Name: Gwendolen HarlethNovel: Daniel Deronda
Author: George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)
Age: 18
Good Points: Bright mind, ultimately has a good heart, loves her mother and sisters deeply.
Faults: Frivolous, flirtatious, selfish.
Her Story: When her family becomes poor Gwendolen chooses to marry rich Mr. Henleigh Grandcourt over the degradation of becoming a governess, even though marrying him disinherits his illegitimate children. In her difficult marriage she reaches out to kind Daniel Deronda for help.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
Downton Abbey
Name: Cora, Countess of GranthamPeriod Drama: Downton Abbey
Writer: Julian Fellowes
Age: 40s
Good points: Caring, Good Hostess
Faults: Hiding Lady Mary's secret, Trust O'Brien too much
Her story: Cora is the American wife of Robert Crawley, Lord of Grantham. Originally, Robert married her because she was rich and her money would save Downton from financial disaster, but after years of marriage, both of them are very much in love. Cora has to find husbands for her three daughters, who cannot inherit her money or the entailed Downton Abbey. Cora deeply trusts her lady's maid, Sarah O'brien, which leads to unfortunate events.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Name: Lady Mary CrawleyPeriod Drama: Downton Abbey
Writer: Julian Fellowes
Age: 20s
Good points: Clever, Pretty
Faults: Pessimistic, Cold, Hiding a Secret
Her story: Lady Mary is the oldest daughter of Robert Crawley, Lord of Grantham, and his wife Cora, Countess of Grantham. She lives at Downton Abbey with her parents and two sisters, Lady Edith and Lady Sybil. When the heir of Downton and his son dies in the sinking of the Titanic, Lady Mary's family believes that she should be the heir. However, Downton is entailed, meaning that none of the girls can inherit Downton, and the heir is Robert's third cousin, Matthew Crawley. Lady Mary takes a very early dislike to Matthew when he arrives at Downton Abbey since he is a middle class lawyer.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Name: Lady Edith CrawleyPeriod Drama: Downton Abbey
Writer: Julian Fellowes
Age: 20s?
Good points: Ambitious, Nicer to "outsiders" than Lady Mary
Faults: Resentful
Her story: Lady Edith is the second daughter of Robert Crawley, Lord of Grantham, and his wife Cora, Countess of Grantham. She lives at Downton Abbey with her parents, older sister Lady Mary, and youngest sister, Lady Sybil. Edith is not as pretty or sought-after as Mary. She is resentful since she is constantly overlooked for Lady Mary.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Name: Lady Sybil CrawleyWriter: Julian Fellowes
Period Drama: Downton Abbey
Age: Mid to Late Teens
Good points: Kind, Like to help Causes, Nicer than her sisters
Faults: Disobedient
Her story: Lady Sybil is the youngest daughter of Robert Crawley, Lord of Grantham, and his wife Cora, Countess of Grantham. She is Lady Mary and Lady Edith's youngest sister. Sybil likes to help those less fortunate. She also tries to help Gwen, a young maid at Downton, better herself by looking for jobs that will move her up in the world. She becomes interested in politics due to Branson, a politically minded chuffeur that Robert hired.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Name: Anna SmithPeriod Drama: Downton Abbey
Writer: Julian Fellowes
Age: Late 20s/Early 30s
Good points: Sweet, caring, hard worker, sister-figure to Gwen (another maid)
Faults: ?
Her story: Anna is one of the maids at Downton Abbey. She is the highest ranking maid among the lower maids at Downton. She is very close to Gwen, a younger maid who views Anna as a big sister. When Mr. Bates arrives at Downton Abbey as the new valet to Lord Grantham, she becomes his friend and eventually falls in love with him. She is puzzled that Bates will not admit that he loves her.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Emma
Name: Emma Woodhouse
Novel: Emma
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 21
Good points: Cheerful, amusing, clever, pretty, well-meaning, self-sacrificing and caring towards her family
Faults: Meddlesome, rather a know-it-all, doesn’t heed advice, can be haughty, has trouble admitting she’s wrong, sometimes bossy
Her story: A self-appointed expert on matters of the heart, Emma loves to play matchmaker (never for herself, however). Mistakes and awkward situations result, and in the end she realizes that she had been terribly mistaken about her own heart all along.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Name: Harriet Smith
Novel: Emma
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 17
Good Points: A loving temperament, a tender heart
Faults: Rather gullible, very emotional
Story: Harriet is the young friend of Emma Woodhouse, and considers herself honored to be so befriended. She is persuaded by Emma to consider herself in love multiple times. However, her sweetness of temper saves her in the end.
Written by Charity U from Austenitis
Novel: Emma
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 21
Good points: Defensive of those she loves, faithful, enduring, gentle
Faults: Doesn’t always forgive quickly, perhaps too withdrawn
Story: Jane Fairfax spent many years as a companion for the daughter of a wealthy family. In the course of Emma, she comes to stay with her aunt and grandmother. As the story continues, surprises which no one expected of her come to light.
Written by Charity U from Austenitis
Great Expectations
Name: Estella Havisham
Novel: Great Expectations
Author: Charles Dickens
Age: 18 or 19
Good Points: Talented, spirited, beautiful.
Faults: Haughty, selfish, flirtatious.
Her Story: Raised by wealthy and bitter Miss Havisham, Estella is taught to take on her characteristics. She meets young Pip when he is paid to play with her as a child, she is aware of his feelings for her and teases him mercilessly. When she grows up and goes into society she enjoys flirting with Pip and the other wealthy gentlemen.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
He Knew He Was Right
Name: Emily Rowley Trevelyan
Novel: He Knew He Was Right
Author: Anthony Trollope
Age: Early 20's
Good Points: A passionate nature, lively spirits, devoted to those she loves.
Faults: Quick tempered, independent, strong willed.
Her Story: Falls in love and marries Louis Trevelyan, they have a little boy and life is perfect until her husband wrongly suspects her of having an affair with her godfather. She separates from her husband but longs for him to believe her pleas of innocence.
Novel: He Knew He Was Right
Author: Anthony Trollope
Age: About 19 or 20
Good Points: Optimistic, kind heart, good sense, truthful.
Faults: Makes hasty decisions
Her Story: Emily's younger sister she lives with her when she gets married and separates from her husband. Nora is courted by Mr. Glascock but her heart belongs to poor journalist Hugh Stanbury.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
House of Eliott
Name: Beatrice "Bea" Eliott
Period Drama: House of Eliott
Writers: Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins
Age: 35
Good points: Sensible, motherly to her sister Evie, mind for fashion
Faults: Business Comes First Before Everything
Her story: Beatrice "Bea" Eliott is the older sister of Evangeline "Evie" Eliott. Their mother died when Evie was born, and as a result Bea became a mother figure to Evie who never really had a mother. When their scrimping father dies and leaves them penniless, Bea takes a job working for photographer Jack Maddox. Eventually Bea and Evie earn enough money together to start their own fashion house, The House of Eliott.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Name: Evangeline "Evie" Eliott
Period Drama: The House of Eliott
Writers: Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins
Age: 18
Good points: Mind for fashion, eye for art, wants to help the poor
Faults: Emotional, Doesn't care what society thinks, makes some immoral decisions
Her story: Evie never knew her mother, who died when she was born. Her sister, Bea, became a mother figure to her and tried to provide her an education since their father didn't want to spend money on a governess. When their father dies and leaves them penniless, both Bea and Evie have to support themselves by getting jobs. Eventually, they earn enough money to start a fashion house, The House of Eliott.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Jane Eyre
Name: Jane Eyre
Novel: Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Brontë Age: 18
Good points: Loyal, firm in purpose, clever, capable, kind-hearted, respectable, constant in character, firm in convictions
Faults: Lets emotions accumulate inside her before letting them out, somewhat discontented, too serious sometimes, too forgiving
Her story: Sent away to school by rich relations who didn’t want her, Jane goes to a cold school where she stays for 8 years – 6 as a student, 2 as a teacher – before she wants a change and advertises for a governess position and goes to work at Thornfield Hall. Her pupil is a little French girl; her master, who she falls in love with, is moody and passionate, hiding a terrible secret.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Lark Rise to Candleford
Name: Dorcas Lane
Novel: Lark Rise to Candleford
Author: Flora Thompson
Age: 30s
Good points: Wants to help those around her, professional, intelligent
Faults: Meddlesome, has many weaknesses
Her story: Dorcas Lane owns the post office and forge in the prosperous town of Candleford, both of which she inherited from her father, the previous postmaster. As postmistress, Dorcas Lane runs the post office in a very professional manner and knows nearly all the people of Lark Rise and Candleford. When her cousin, Emma Timmins, gave birth to her fifth child, Dorcas took in Emma's eldest daughter, Laura, into the post office to live and work.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Name: Laura Timmins
Novel: Lark Rise to Candleford
Author: Flora Thompson
Age: 16
Good points: Observant, Hard Working
Faults: Can get easily distracted, Naive at times
Her story: Laura is from the poor farming hamlet of Lark Rise. She lived with her parents, Robert and Emma Timmins, and her three other siblings. When Emma gave birth to her fifth child (Laura's youngest sister, Annie), she sent Laura to live and work eight miles away at the post office in the prosperous town of Candleford with her cousin, Dorcas Lane.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Name: Margaret Ellison Brown
Novel: Lark Rise to Candleford
Author: Flora Thompson
Age: 30s or 40s
Good points: Kind, sweet, likes to help the poor, moral
Faults: Easily Persuaded, indecisive, unsure of herself
Her story: Margaret is the daughter of Reverand Ellison, the local parson to both Lark Rise and Candleford. She lives with her father and takes care of him in his old age. Margaret also likes to help out at church functions and help the poor in Lark Rise. The local postman, Thomas Brown, has feelings towards her at the beginning of Lark Rise to Candleford. In the second season, they marry.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Little Dorrit
Name: Amy Dorrit
Novel: Little Dorrit
Author: Charles Dickens
Age: 21
Good points: Caring and selfless, tender-hearted and kind; very self-sacrificing; obedient; able to face hardship.
Faults: Not many; however, if anyone can be accused of being ‘nice almost to a fault,’ it would be her. She’s probably a little too quiet and she doesn’t express her thoughts or stick up for herself often enough.
Her story: Amy Dorrit was born in the Marshalsea Prison for Debt. She lost her mother at a very young age and grew up to take care of her debtor father. She is hired by Mrs. Clennam as a seamstress, and falls in love with the lady’s kind son, Arthur, who has returned from years abroad. He suspects that Amy is somehow connected with an unknown secret in the Clennams’ past.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Mansfield Park
Name: Fanny Price
Novel: Mansfield Park
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 18
Good Points: Gentle, sweet nature, good judge of character.
Faults: Shy, undervalues her own worth, fears change.
Her Story: She is sent to live with rich relations, as she matures the only person who really understands Fanny is her cousin Edmund and she loves him in turn.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
North and South
Name: Margaret Hale
Novel: North and South
Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
Age: 18
Good points: Clever, considerate, independent, fervent, remains strong through hardship
Faults: Too blunt, prejudiced, a little argumentative
Her story: When her father resigns from the church, Margaret is forced to leave her beloved Helstone and move to Milton, a northern manufacturing town. There she meets the passionate and handsome John Thornton, the town’s most respected cotton mill owner, but her first impressions of him do not work in his favor, and they often find themselves arguing. Somewhere along the way, though, he becomes deeply attached to her.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Northanger Abbey
Name: Catherine Morland
Novel: Northanger Abbey
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 17
Good Points: Sweet, pure, imaginative, friendly.
Faults: Overactive imagination, brutally honest, naïve.
Her Story: Young, innocent Catherine Morland leaves her close-knit family to visit the high society of Bath where she meets flighty Isabella Thorpe who introduces her to Gothic novels. She is courted by ridiculous John Thorpe, falls in love with witty clergyman Henry Tilney and lets her imagination run away with her when she visits the Tilney's family home Northanger Abbey.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
Persuasion
Name: Anne Elliot
Novel: Persuasion
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 27
Good Points: Strong mind, sweet nature, constant heart.
Faults: Sometimes easily persuaded and gives way too easily.
Her Story: Eight years after being persuaded to refuse Captain Frederick Wentworth, Anne meets up with him again when his brother-in-law rents her father's family home. She's courted by her father heir Mr. Elliot but her heart is faithful to her first love even though he is courting another.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
Pride and Prejudice
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Age: About 23
Good points: Very sweet, gentle, understanding, long-suffering
Faults: Tends to only see the good in people
Story: Jane is the oldest of the five Bennet sisters. Her sweetness and kindness endear her to everyone, including Mr. Darcy’s wealthy friend, Mr. Bingley. Though she falls in love, her feelings are not extravagantly shown, occasionally giving the wrong impression to others. She hates to think badly of anyone, and is forgiving if anyone wrongs her.
Written by Charity U from Austenitis
Name: Georgiana Darcy
Novel: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 16
Good points: Kind, tender-hearted, appreciative, contented, meek, talented
Faults: Naïve, easily persuaded
Her story: At fifteen, Georgiana was captivated by Mr. Wickham, the son of her late father’s steward. Little knowing she was being deceived by a villain, she consented to elope with him. Her older brother discovered just in time to prevent the marriage, and she came to realize that Mr. Wickham wanted her only for her fortune, and for revenge on her brother.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Sense and Sensibility
Name: Elinor Dashwood
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 19
Good points: Sensible, Caring
Faults: Doesn't show many emotions
Her story: When her father, Henry Dashwood dies, Elinor, her sisters Marianne and Margaret, and her mother are forced to leave their home to make way for her half brother, John, and his wife, Fanny. Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, Fanny's brother. Fanny and her family, however, want Edward to marry the rich Miss Morton.
Written by Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Elegance of Fashion
Name: Marianne Dashwood
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 17
Good points: Passionate, lively, clever, talented, pretty, devoted
Faults: Not tactful, sometimes selfish, too decisive on some subjects, overly dramatic, rather impatient, lets emotions rather than sense guide her
Her story: Romantic and dramatic Marianne thinks she will never see a man whom she can really love. But when she meets dashing John Willoughby, who seems to have been made for her, her heart is gone. After very marked attention, he suddenly leaves and her older sister Elinor, more perceptive, suspects he is hiding something.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Name: Margaret Dashwood
Novel: Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
Age: 13
Good points: Tolerably contented, loves her family, looks up to her older sisters, good-natured, energetic
Faults: Not very good at keeping secrets, easily influenced, rather nosy
Her story: Margaret, a young romantic, is always interested in the lives of her two older sisters – balls, parties, beaus, etc. – and longs to take part. Since she isn’t old enough, she occupies herself by keeping tabs on her older sister’s romances…even though it often means spying or eavesdropping.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Under the Greenwood Tree
Name: Fancy Day
Novel: Under The Greenwood Tree
Author: Thomas Hardy
Age: Early 20's
Good Points: Smart, kind, devoted daughter, talented.
Faults: Flirtatious, indecisive.
Her Story: After completing an elegant education Fancy returns to the small village of Mellstock where she lives with her proud father and teaches at the village school. She falls in love with handsome but poor Dick Dewey but allows the attentions by rich farmer Mr. Shiner and scholarly vicar Mr. Maybold.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
The Way We Live Now
Name: Hetta Carbury
Novel: The Way We Live Now
Author: Anthony Trollope
Age: 18 or 19
Good Points: Truthful, levelheaded, sweet, free spirited.
Faults: Sometimes quick tempered and pessimistic.
Her Story: Hetta lives with her scoundrel brother Felix and sentimental writer mother and is courted by her wealthy cousin Roger Carbury who her mother wants her to marry. Although she respects Roger her heart is captivated when she meets his best friend impetuous Paul Montague who has a secret past.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
Wives and Daughters
Name: Molly Gibson
Novel: Wives and Daughters
Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
Age: 17
Good points: Clever, sensible, self-sacrificing, obedient, honest
Faults: Sometimes too outspoken/blunt; a little too nice...to the point of risking her own happiness for the sake of others'
Her story: Molly is devastated when her father, whom she has lived alone with for years, suddenly decides to remarry. She tries to remain good-natured, however. Her new step-sister, Cynthia Kirkpatrick, comes to live with them, and she and Molly form a friendship. Molly undergoes much emotional stress when a young man she has tender feelings for becomes enamored and engaged to Cynthia.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
Name: Cynthia Kirkpatrick
Novel: Wives and Daughters
Author: Elizabeth Gaskell
Age: late teens or early twenties
Good points: Cheerful, witty, frank; admired for being pretty and accomplished
Faults: Self-centered and rather inconsiderate; enjoys attracting men a little too well; has a tendency to make hasty decisions she usually regrets; too easily controlled
Her story: When her mother remarries, Cynthia ends her extensive schooling and comes home. She quickly becomes attached to her new step-sister Molly, who she admires and loves better than anyone else. She becomes engaged to the man Molly is secretly in love with; the whole time hiding a secret from her past which is threatening to her happiness.
Written by Melody from Regency Delight ~Jane Austen, etc.~
The Young Victoria
Name: Queen Victoria
Story: The Young Victoria (Historical Character)
Writer: Julian Fellowes, script writer
Good Points: Brave, sensible, kind, passionate.
Faults: Quick temper, sometimes moody.
Her Story: Victoria is carefully raised by her governess Lehnzen and mother the Duchess of Kent far from the court of her uncle the King of England. When the king dies she becomes queen at the age of 18 whereupon her mother and mother's advisor Sir John Conroy try to manipulate her. But Victoria is determined to follow her own heart and head and acts for the good of her country. She falls in love with Prince Albert and asks him to reign by her side.
Written by Miss Laurie from Old-Fashioned Charm
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