It explores themes such as gender roles, sexual identity, and artistic expression, while also providing a window into the cultural and political climate of the time.

Dickinson is notable for its use of anachronisms, incorporating modern language, music, and references into its portrayal of historical events and figures.

In 19th century Amherst, Massachusetts, a young Emily Dickinson is tired of her family's attempts to find her a suitor.

The entire family believes that Emily is on her deathbed, leading both her father and mother to issue gruesome confessions.

Leaving her room in search of a book she meets her father's clerk, Ben Newton, who is also an avid fan of poetry.

Depressed by Edward's departure, Emily's mother takes to her bed leaving the children to act as hosts.

On Christmas morning Emily is surprised to learn that her father is building her a conservatory so that she can enjoy flowers year round.

When his coughing grows worse Emily nurses him at the Dickinson family home and is disturbed when he begins to hallucinate.

Emily is still in mourning over Ben's death but tries to make Sue's wedding day special by writing her the love poem "One Sister have I in our house" and gathering a bouquet for her.

George leaves town to seek his fortune in California and offers to take Emily with him, but she refuses citing her desire to remain with Sue.

To fix their money problems Emily's father has his wealthy orphaned nieces come to live with them, much to his wife's chagrin.

As Emily prepares for publication she learns that Samuel has a reputation for seducing the women he publishes and that everyone believes they have been intimate.

The Dickinsons attend the opera where Emily, nursing a budding crush on Sam, is excited to end up in his private box upon Sue's suggestion.

Emily frets about not being published but Sam assures her that he is only waiting for the right time to make her poem front page.

Austin holds a tea party in the meantime, gathering his friends for one last hurrah as rumors of a civil war begin.

Emily tries to retrieve her poems from Sam but hits a snag when she finds out he is determined to publish them and make her a literary star.

In the wake of their father's heart attack, all the Dickinson children have different reactions with Lavinia and Austin questioning the control he has exercised over their lives.

Determined to heal the nation, Emily and Lavinia host a sewing circle to support the troops with help from Amherst's finest seamstress, Betty.

Henry reaches the war in the South and is placed with a group of Gullah soldiers where his job is to teach them to read and write.

Emily, Lavinia, and their mother go with him on a tour to support him but Mrs. Dickinson becomes terrified that due to her ongoing grief over the death of her sister, Edward plans to commit her.

Meanwhile still estranged from the rest of the Dickinsons, Austin and Sue manage to reconcile and achieve some peace in their unconventional marriage by getting rid of gender roles in parenting.

Austin struggles with a man's responsibility in wartime and considers draft dodging to take care of his son.

Her efforts to keep her family's hope alive reach a breaking point when she learns that her father plans on leaving everything to Austin despite what happened between them since he does not believe women should be independent.

Emily takes steps to ensure that her family won't repeat their past mistakes and reconciles with Austin.

The series would be written by Alena Smith who was also set to executive produce alongside Paul Lee, David Gordon Green, Michael Sugar, Ashley Zalta, Alex Goldstone, and Darlene Hunt.

[10] On September 26, 2018, it was announced that Toby Huss, Anna Baryshnikov, Ella Hunt and Adrian Enscoe had been cast as series regulars.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Audacious and aspirational, Dickinson's bold blend of period-drama and millennial milieu definitely won't be for all, but those looking to break free from the doldrums of their viewing life may find some kind of hope in its singular vision.

The website's critical consensus reads, "With stronger writing and a never-better Hailee Steinfeld, Dickinson finds surer footing in its second season without losing any of its strange delights.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Authentically itself to the very last, Dickinson's final season delivers elegant closure like a well-structured stanza.

[28] Dickinson won a Peabody Award in the Entertainment category, making it the first show from Apple TV+ to win the prestigious honor.