GBH Openvault

Masterpiece Classic; Little Dorrit, Part 1

03/29/2009

Little Dorrit - Part 1 HD Base Master / EE Master

License Clip

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Series

Masterpiece Classic

Program

Little Dorrit, Part 1

Program Number

3909

Series Description

Each winter and spring, Masterpiece classic features signature period dramas. For 2009, Masterpiece classic premieres January 4th with host Laura Linney.

Emmy Award-winning actress Laura Linney will be the new host of Masterpiece classic, making her first appearance when the series premieres with a new adaptation of Tess of the D'Urbervilles on January 4, 2009 on PBS.

In 2009, the series returns with works by three beloved British authors, including Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles (January 4 and 11), starring new Bond girl Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace); Emily Brontë's haunting Wuthering Heights (January 18 and 25) with Tom Hardy (The Virgin Queen) as Heathcliff and newcomer Charlotte Riley as Cathy. In February, Masterpiece classic launches The Tales of Charles Dickens with a bold new adaptation of Oliver Twist, starring Timothy Spall (A Room with A View), and Sophie Okonedo (The Secret Life of Bees) in a heartbreaking performance as Nancy. In March, there will be a repeat of the acclaimed David Copperfield starring Daniel Radcliffe in the role that led him to Harry Potter. Beginning on March 29 is the highly anticipated five-part miniseries Little Dorrit from Bleak House screenwriter Andrew Davies, starring Matthew Macfadyen (Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley, The Way We Live Now), rising star Claire Foy as Amy Dorrit, and Tom Courtenay (Billy Liar, A Rather English Marriage) as her father. On May 3, The Incomplete Charles Dickens closes with a star-studded The Old Curiosity Shop, with Derek Jacobi, Toby Jones (W., Infamous), Zoë Wanamaker (Harry Potter, Gormenghast), and Gina McKee (The Forsyte Saga). Series release date: 1/4/2009

Program Description

Amy "Little" Dorrit lives in the Marshalsea Prison for Debt caring for her father William Dorrit. To aid her family, Amy works for stern shut-in Mrs. Clennam. Son Arthur Clennam returns from China after his father's death, haunted by his father's final, mysterious words. Is there a long-buried family secret and does it somehow involve Amy and her family?

Arthur gets reacquainted with former sweetheart Flora Finching, although true affections are saved for Pet Meagles. Meanwhile, in Paris, sinister murderer Rigaud considers coming to England. Having now befriended Amy and her family, Arthur makes a financial offering to help one member of the Dorrits. Amy's appreciation and affection for Arthur grows as John Chivery, a turnkey at the Marshalsea who has a longtime love for Amy, watches heartbroken. To probe more deeply into the Dorrit mystery, Arthur enlists rent collector Mr. Pancks for help. Arthur becomes troubled by Tattycoram (who lives with the Meagleses), and her mysterious connection to Miss Wade.

A co-production of BBC Productions and WGBH Boston.

Duration

01:26:46

Asset Type

Broadcast program

Media Type

Video

Genres

Drama

Creators

Eaton, Rebecca (Series Producer)

Citation

Chicago: “Masterpiece Classic; Little Dorrit, Part 1,” 03/29/2009, GBH Archives, accessed December 1, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_99366440E5CF40FD9F834CE14F296FE8.

MLA: “Masterpiece Classic; Little Dorrit, Part 1.” 03/29/2009. GBH Archives. Web. December 1, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_99366440E5CF40FD9F834CE14F296FE8>.

APA: Masterpiece Classic; Little Dorrit, Part 1. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_99366440E5CF40FD9F834CE14F296FE8