Everything we know about BBC’s new adaptation of Great Expectations
Knight is no stranger to Dickens adaptations, having previously led BBC One’s and FX’s production of A Christmas Carol. His signature style comes through in the eerie trailer, and with an impressive cast including Olivia Colman in the iconic role of Miss Havisham, we couldn’t be more excited for the new adaptation. See for yourself in the trailer below!
Watch the trailer for Great Expectations:
From the styling of the tragic and haunting Miss Havisham who continues to wear her wedding dress decades after being jilted at the altar to views of the bog where Pip first finds Magwitch, the trailer gives us a glimpse of an atmospheric and action-packed drama.
Who is in the cast of Great Expectations?
With a cast like this behind Knight’s name, it’s no surprise there’s been a lot of hype around the new period drama. Just look at this star-studded list:
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Olivia Colman (The Favourite, The Crown) as Miss Havisham
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Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk) as Pip
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Shalom Brune-Franklin (The Tourist) as Estella
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Ashley Thomas (The Ipcress File) as Jaggers
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Johnny Harris (Without Sin) as Abel Magwitch
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Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows) as Mr Pumblechuck
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Hayley Squires (Adult Material) as Sara Gargery
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Rudi Dharmalingam (The Lazarus Project) as Wemmick
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Owen McDonnell (The Holiday) as Joe Gargery
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Trystan Gravelle (Mr Selfridge) as Compeyson
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Laurie Ogden (The Colour Room) as Biddy
What is Great Expectations about?
It’ll be hard to find someone who hasn’t at least heard of this classic novel, originally released by Charles Dickens in weekly installments in 1860. It’s been the subject of countless adaptations since, and at its core is a coming-of-age story for an orphan named Pip who, through many twists of fate, finds himself with fortune and great expectations on his shoulders.
When he’s only young, Pip finds himself introduced to the eccentric and embittered Miss Havisham (Olivia Colman) and her ward, Estella (Shalom Brune-Franklin). From this meeting, Pip realises that to win Estella’s heart, he must earn his fortune and become a gentleman. And as fate would have it, he soon finds he does inherit from a mysterious benefactor – but from here the mystery of who Pip’s benefactor is, his romance with Estella, and the many twists to the tale only get darker.
Whether you know the plot or not, Knight is sure to have a fresh and exciting new take on what is widely considered one of the greatest stories ever written.
What is the release date for Great Expectations?
Great Expectations will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Sunday 26th March at 9pm in six weekly episodes, as well as on FX and Hulu in the US on the same date. The series won’t be available as a box set, so you’ll have to tune in every Sunday at 9pm to watch the latest episode.
Isabelle Grimshaw
