In 1818 Hampstead, the fashionable Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) is introduced to poet John Keats (Ben Whishaw) through the Charles Wentworth Dilke family. The Dilkes occupy one half of a double house, with Charles Armitage Brown (Paul Schneider (actor)) occupying the other half. Brown is Keats' friend, roommate, and associate in writing.