Watch Great Expectations

Great Expectations is a British television adaptation of the famous novel by Charles Dickens. It was produced by BBC One and first aired on December 27, 2011. The story follows a young orphan named Pip, played by Douglas Booth, who lives with his cruel sister and her loving husband Joe in a small village. One day, Pip encounters an escaped convict in the marshes and is asked to bring him food and a file to cut his chains. Later, Pip is selected to visit the reclusive and wealthy Miss Havisham, played by Gillian Anderson, to play with her adopted daughter Estella, played by Vanessa Kirby. Miss Havisham is still wearing her wedding dress from years ago and has stopped all of the clocks in her house.

Pip becomes infatuated with Estella but is mocked for his humble background. Suddenly, Pip is informed that he has a mysterious benefactor who wants to fund his education and provide him with money to live in London, where he can pursue his dreams of becoming a gentleman. Pip assumes that his benefactor must be Miss Havisham, who has taken a liking to him.

In London, Pip meets a group of characters who become central to the plot. He is introduced to Herbert Pocket, a kind and generous young man who becomes Pip's best friend. He also meets Jaggers, a lawyer who represents his benefactor and who warns Pip to be wary of himself and others. Finally, Pip discovers that his benefactor is not who he thought it was and his world is turned upside down.

The series is a visually stunning interpretation of Dickens' novel, with beautiful cinematography and excellent performances by the cast. The locations are almost as important as the characters, with the marshes, the grandeur of Satis House and the bustle of London all enhancing the atmosphere of the story.

While the story remains faithful to the novel, there are moments of modernity in the production design and the music, which adds a new dimension to the story. The costumes are also a highlight and are brilliantly crafted to fit the time period and the characters' personalities.

One of the most striking elements of Great Expectations is the portrayal of the central characters. Douglas Booth is excellent as Pip, capturing his vulnerability and his tumultuous journey to adulthood. Gillian Anderson is also outstanding as Miss Havisham, portraying her mental torment and her descent into madness with great skill. Vanessa Kirby is perfectly cast as Estella, portraying her beauty and her inner turmoil.

The supporting cast is also strong, with David Suchet giving an impressive performance as Jaggers, showing a depth of character not present in the book. Toby Irvine is also notable as young Pip, who appears in the opening episode, and Oscar Kennedy is outstanding as the young Herbert Pocket.

The series is expertly directed by Brian Kirk, who makes great use of the locations and vividly brings the story to life. The pacing of the story is also well-thought-out, never feeling rushed or overly slow.

Overall, Great Expectations is a wonderfully realized adaptation of Dickens' classic novel. It has a fantastic cast, beautiful production design and highly skilled direction, which make it a delight to watch. It is a must-see for fans of Dickens and a highly recommended series for those looking for a great period drama.

Great Expectations is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between March 26, 2023 and on BBC One