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Season 1 – Bleak House

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Bleak House Oct 2005 History Drama Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Secrets abound in this 2005 television adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel. Fortunes hang in the balance, awaiting the outcome of a legal case in the Court of Chancery in Victorian London. Meanwhile, the trials and tribulations of those awaiting the case's outcome, weave through Dickens' indictment of the chancery system. Anna Maxwell Martin stars as Esther, with Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock, and Denis Lawson as John Jarndyce.
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Bleak House — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Nancy Banks-Smith Guardian 02/26/2020
The casting was adventurously diverse. Gillian Anderson and Liza Tarbuck were both excellent, as a lady with no children and a woman with far too many. Go to Full Review Robin Oliver Sydney Morning Herald 02/28/2018
In devising this tantalising adaptation, screenwriter Andrew Davies equals, even surpasses, his masterly version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Go to Full Review John Leonard New York Magazine/Vulture 01/18/2018
How could it not be splendid television? I have said before that Dickens and television were made for each other. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sedge S @Sedgie Jan 16 Fantastic cast, close to the book. About as perfect an adaptation as it could be. See more John C @JC00773202 12/22/2024 Made during a golden age of BBC dramas, when considerations such as story, immersion, and the aesthetics of a piece of fiction were paramount above any other nonsense, everything about this Bleak House adaptation is excellent - from the set and costume designs to the superb cast and the acting. This Bleak House has many memorable villains, too, perhaps none more so than Charles Dance as the scheming Mr. Tulkinghorn. But my personal favourite is Nathanial Parker as the sly and charming Harold Skimpole, so charming in fact that I find myself falling for his schtick and liking him even as his callous and parasitic nature becomes apparent. But what do I know of such matters? I am a child, you know! See more 05/27/2020 Detailed enough to satisfy the film and lit comparison and also enhanced by sharp casting. See more Read all reviews
Bleak House — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Anna Maxwell Martin

Emma Summerson

Denis Lawson

John Jarndyce

Patrick Kennedy

Richard Carstone

Carey Mulligan

Ada Clare

Gillian Anderson

Lady Dedlock

Charles Dance

Mr. Tulkinghorn

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 27, 2005 Episode 1 Esther Summerson is sent to live with her rich guardian at Bleak House. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 28, 2005 Episode 2 Tulkinghorn persists with his inquiry into Lady Dedlock's past. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 3, 2005 Episode 3 Ada confides in Esther that she and Richard are in love and plan to get engaged; Esther is dismayed by news that Allan Woodcourt has taken a job as a ship's surgeon on a long voyage. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 4, 2005 Episode 4 Guppy makes a discovery about Esther which shocks Lady Dedlock to the core. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 10, 2005 Episode 5 Tulkinghorn finally manages to unearth mysterious Nemo's identity; Richard adds strain to his relationship with Jarndyce by announcing his intention to quit the law and join the army; he begins to take lessons in swordsmanship from George. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 11, 2005 Episode 6 Legal clerk Guppy uncovers a revelation about Esther that shocks Lady Dedlock; Jarndyce and Esther bring Jo to Bleak House to look after him. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 17, 2005 Episode 7 The Tulkinghorn case drags on; a spate of poison pen letters. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 24, 2005 Episode 8 Esther confesses to Jarndyce that she's given up hope of having a relationship with Woodcourt; Lady Dedlock tells Esther something that will transform her life; Guppy makes a big mistake. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 25, 2005 Episode 9 Despite her troubled emotions, Esther keeps her word and refuses to tell Ada her secret; meanwhile, Tulkinghorn issues a terrible ultimatum to Lady Dedlock. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 1, 2005 Episode 10 Adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 2, 2005 Episode 11 Adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Details Episode 12 Aired Dec 8, 2005 Episode 12 Adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Details Episode 13 Aired Dec 9, 2005 Episode 13 Adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Details Episode 14 Aired Dec 15, 2005 Episode 14 Adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Details Episode 15 Aired Dec 16, 2005 Episode 15 Adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Details

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Bleak House — Season 1

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Season Info

Executive Producer
Rebecca Eaton
Screenwriter
Andrew Davies
Network
BBC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
History, Drama, Crime
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Oct 27, 2005