BBC period drama adaptation of classic novel hailed ‘best ever’
The acclaimed period drama starring Claire Foy, has been hailed as the “best adaptation of all time” by viewers – and you can watch all episodes completely free on BBC iPlayer right now
The series won huge praise(Image: BBC)
A period drama praised as ‘terrific binge fare’ has captivated viewers, and the fantastic news is that it’s available to watch entirely free on BBC iPlayer.
The 2008 British miniseries draws from a Charles Dickens novel and has been hailed as the “best Dickens adaptation of all-time” by audiences.
Little Dorrit has received glowing reviews ever since it first landed on BBC One and BBC HD in 2008. Co-directed by Adam Smith, Dearbhla Walsh, and Diarmuid Lawrence, the gripping period drama features a screenplay penned by Andrew Davies, and has been adapted from Charles Dickens’ novel of the same title, which was published in serial instalments between 1855 and 1857.
A collaborative production between BBC and WGBH Boston, Little Dorrit was broadcast in the United States over five episodes as part of PBS’s Masterpiece series.
The show’s official synopsis reads: “The Dorrits are a family whose life revolves around the Marshalsea, a debtor’s prison. Amy Dorrit’s kind nature brings the family into contact with a wide swath of English society, from the poorest to the richest, and back again.”, reports the Express.
It boasts a smashing 100% rating(Image: BBC)
There was huge praise for Little Dorrit, with the series securing seven Emmy Awards, including the prestigious Outstanding Miniseries accolade.
Featuring a stunning Claire Foy in the lead role, Matthew Macfadyen, Tom Courtenay, Judy Parfitt, Andy Serkis, Eddie Marsan, and Alun Armstrong complete the show’s outstanding supporting ensemble.
During an interview with Channel 4 in 2011, Claire revealed how Little Dorrit would forever hold a special place amongst her most treasured projects: “Little Dorrit will always be so important to me – it was my first big job, it was a character I got to play for six months. So that and this [The Promise], for different reasons, have to come out on top.”
The captivating period drama was shot on location at Luton Hoo, Chenies Manor House, and Hellfire Caves in Buckinghamshire, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich and Deal Castle in Kent. Hampton Court Palace served as Marshalsea Prison throughout the series.
With a perfect 100% rating from both critics and viewers on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Little Dorrit can be considered a triumph by any measure, though it remains an underappreciated treasure within the period drama genre.
One critic said: “With a stellar cast and a fine adaptation, Little Dorrit is absorbing and entertaining.”
The brilliant period drama is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer(Image: BBC)
Another noted: “Little Dorrit is the closest TV has to a sure thing: a relatively short-term investment with a satisfyingly large payoff.”
While a third said it was “one of the best dramas of the year”.
Viewers have been equally captivated by the series, with one fan posting: “absolutely wonderful! beautiful scripts, enchanting acting and mesmirizing drama! the best of the Dickens!” [sic].
An IMDB user review of the programme said: “One of the very best Dickens adaptations, even British period novel adaptations, ever.
“I have seen many many adaptations of Dickens and other novels and period dramas. Little Dorrit is not one of Dickens’ most known novels, however, this as it turns out is one of the best adaptations of all time.”
Another added: “This is yet another outstanding Dickens-adaptation by the BBC. It makes you wonder how they do it: making everything fall so exactly in its place!”.
“The casting is perfect, settings and costumes are flawless, the direction is impressive and the editing gives it all a wonderful pace, helped by cutting it into short pieces of half an hour, so that you are kept on your toes all of the time, simply craving for the next episode.”
One viewer drew comparisons between the programme and Dickens’ original work: “It is hard to watch Little Dorrit without a stupid grin on my face. I just think it is perfect. The characters are all just as you imagined when reading the novel. From The leads in Clare Foy and Matthew To the vast array of supporting characters. It is like the book has come to life itself. Ruth Jones is a stand out. Just brilliant.”
Little Dorrit is available to stream free on BBC iPlayer.
