The plot revolves around Ella Durran, an ambitious young woman whose lifelong dream of studying at Oxford finally comes true with a Rhodes Scholarship. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she is offered a position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign, challenging the initial expectations of her Oxford experience. Matters become more complicated when she meets Jamie Davenport, a local with a sharp tongue and an undeniable connection to Ella.
　　As the narrative progresses, what starts as a casual fling between Ella and Jamie evolves into something deeper, which leads to the revelation of the latter’s life-changing secret. Ella is now torn between her political aspirations and her growing feelings for Jamie, forcing her to confront difficult choices about her future. As her time in Oxford leads to its conclusion, Ella must decide which dreams truly matter most to her.

故事背景设定在1850年的伦敦，艾里斯（埃斯梅·科里德-米尔斯 饰）和姐姐罗斯（米伦·麦克 饰）以画娃娃为生，她梦想成为一名艺术家。很快，她遇到了动物标本剥制师塞拉斯（伊纳·哈德威克 饰），他拥有一家店铺，里面摆满了他的作品，以及拉斐尔前派兄弟会的成员路易斯（乔治·韦伯斯特 饰）。随着艾里斯开始挑战父权观念，她的世界不断扩大，一个黑暗故事开始了。