Emily Dickinson spent her life writing poems in secret, hiding behind a veil of white. The Hulu series Dickinson turns that history into a musical, chaotic comedy about a young woman who wants to be a poet in 1850s New England. It is clever, often funny, and sometimes deeply strange.
The show follows Emily as she tries to break free from her family’s expectations and find her own voice. She is played by Hailee Steinfeld, who brings a sharp wit and a restless energy to the role. The series is built around her relationships with her sister Lavinia, her father Edward, and the men she meets along the way. It also features a talking skull named Death, a recurring presence that comments on the action.
Trailer, via Apple TV.
Emily’s Poetic Voice
Steinfeld carries the show. Her performance is central to everything that works and everything that falls apart. When she commits to a scene, she is electric. When the script asks her to play a joke that lands flat, she sells it anyway, and the result feels forced.
The writing leans heavily on anachronism. Emily speaks in modern slang, swears freely, and references contemporary pop culture. This is a deliberate choice meant to make her feel alive. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it jars.
Lavinia and the Family
The show also explores Emily’s relationship with her sister Lavinia, played by Ashleigh Murray. Their bond is tender and complicated. Lavinia is practical where Emily is wild, and their scenes together are some of the best in the series.
The show also takes on the family’s religious beliefs, particularly the role of the church in their lives. These moments are handled with care, though the show’s tone can shift abruptly from serious to absurd.
Death and the Talking Skull
Death, voiced by Wale, is the show’s most distinctive element. He appears as a living skeleton who comments on the action, offers advice, and even sings songs. The idea is bold, and it occasionally pays off. In other scenes, he feels like a gimmick that distracts from the human drama.
The music is a strong suit. The songs, performed by Steinfeld and the cast, are catchy and well-integrated into the plot. They often land better than the spoken dialogue.
The Final Season
The show’s third season wraps up the story with Emily finally publishing her poetry. It is a fitting conclusion, though it does not resolve all the loose ends. The final episode leaves Emily’s legacy open-ended, which feels right for a show about a writer whose fame came after her death.
The show is uneven, but it is rarely boring. Its strengths — Steinfeld’s performance, the music, the familial warmth — outweigh its weaknesses. It is a bold, messy, and frequently entertaining take on a historical figure.
Key Facts Box
- Network: Hulu
- Seasons: 3 seasons
- Premiere: October 2019
- Creator: Alena Smith
- Lead actress: Hailee Steinfeld
- IMDb score: 6.6/10
Schedule Table
| Season | Premiere |
|---|---|
| 1 | October 2019 |
| 2 | October 2020 |
| 3 | October 2021 |
Dickinson is a show that knows exactly what it is trying to do, even when it does not quite pull it off. It is a worthy addition to the streamer’s slate, and a bold attempt to bring a poet’s voice to life.
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