Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Anita Rani explores the rebellious spirit of the Brontë sisters in new Sky Arts documentary

The TV presenter reflects on her personal journey and connection with the Brontës while revisiting her Yorkshire roots.

Anita Rani

Anita Rani reflects on breaking stereotypes and finding her voice through storytelling

Getty Images

Anita Rani, the popular TV presenter, has always felt like she’s on the outside looking in. Growing up in Bradford during the 1980s, just a few miles from the Brontë sisters’ hometown of Haworth, she couldn’t help but feel a personal connection to these iconic literary figures. Rani’s new Sky Arts documentary, The Brontës by Anita Rani: Sisters of Disruption, isn’t just a historical retelling but a journey that intertwines her own story with that of the famous sisters.

Anita RaniAnita Rani's Sky Arts documentary highlights the rebellious spirit of the Brontë sistersGetty Images



From a young age, Rani was surrounded by the Brontës’ legacy. At her all-girls’ school, the portrait of the Brontë sisters by Branwell Brontë was a familiar sight, and their stories felt personal, especially since she grew up walking the same windswept moors they once did. The documentary takes Rani back to those roots, exploring the spirit of rebellion that connected her with the Brontës from a young age. To her, they weren’t just quiet, knitting women. They were fierce disruptors who challenged norms and made their voices heard. It’s this strength that resonated with Rani, who always longed to break out of traditional expectations.

Rani’s upbringing was shaped by her parents’ struggles as Punjabi immigrants who set up a textile factory in Bradford. Despite the hardships, her father encouraged her to break stereotypes. Unlike many traditional Indian fathers, he took her to the pub at 15 and taught her to play pool, something Rani credits for her ability to navigate the TV industry today.

Anita RaniAnita Rani shares how her upbringing shaped her connection with the BrontësGetty Images


The Brontë sisters, like Rani, were outsiders in their own way. Rani’s documentary highlights how their stories are more than just gothic romances; they are tales of women pushing against the world’s constraints. The film also touches on modern issues, like using Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall to support domestic abuse survivors. Rani’s own sense of disruption is echoed in the Brontës’ fight for female autonomy and identity.

Reflecting on her journey, Rani admits that her teenage self never realised how much the Brontës’ spirit matched her own. It wasn’t just about loving Wuthering Heights or identifying with Heathcliff. It was about finding a voice and taking ownership of her story.


Today, Rani continues to challenge stereotypes, inspired by the Brontës’ rebellious legacy. As she considers getting a tattoo that reads ‘Sister of Disruption,’ it’s clear that she’s not just telling their story but living it.

More For You

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas
Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas spark dating rumours with Vermont getaway and public PDA
X/@TheCinesthetic/Instagram/Vogue/People

Did Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas call it quits despite engagement rumours and helicopter adventures?

Highlights:

  • Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas have ended their relationship after nine months of dating
  • They got together in February but decided they work better as friends
  • They will still appear together in the supernatural thriller Deeper despite the split
  • Ana previously dated Ben Affleck; Tom’s last major romance was with Katie Holmes
  • The pair attended David Beckham’s 50th birthday and an Oasis gig at Wembley

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas have called it quits after nine months, sources say. The Hollywood stars, who started dating back in February, have gone their separate ways. But it’s not messy, apparently they’re still on good terms. The spark, people say, just kind of fizzled out.

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas photographed holding hands in Vermont sparking romance talk during 'Deeper' preps www.easterneye.biz

Keep ReadingShow less