Watch The Bleak House
- TV-PG
- 2005
- 1 Season
-
8.3 (10,842)
The Bleak House is a British period drama television series from BBC America, adapted from the Charles Dickens novel of the same name. Set in mid-19th century London, the show follows the legal case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, which has been dragging on for years and has ruined the lives of everyone associated with it. The story revolves around the main character Esther Summerson, a young girl who is taken in by her guardian, John Jarndyce, after her mother dies.
Denis Lawson portrays John Jarndyce, a kind and generous man who takes in orphaned children and finds solace in their company. Anna Maxwell Martin plays Esther Summerson, a gentle and innocent girl who is desperate to uncover the secrets of her past. Patrick Kennedy portrays Richard Carstone, a young man who is also caught up in the case and the promise of a possible inheritance.
Carey Mulligan plays Ada Clare, a gentle and kind-hearted girl who becomes Esther's closest friend, and Gillian Anderson plays Lady Dedlock, a woman with a dark past who is linked to the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case. Charles Dance plays the villainous lawyer Mr. Tulkinghorn, who will stop at nothing to win the case, while Alun Armstrong plays Detective Inspector Bucket, a mysterious man who is brought in to solve a murder.
Timothy West portrays Sir Leicester Dedlock, Lady Dedlock's wealthy and aristocratic husband, while Burn Gorman plays Guppy, a lawyer's clerk who is smitten with Esther. Harry Eden plays Jo, a poor street urchin who becomes embroiled in the case, and Richard Harrington plays Allan Woodcourt, a doctor who falls for Esther.
Di Botcher plays Mrs. Jellyby, a woman obsessed with charity work, while Lisa Hammond portrays Rosa, a maidservant who is caught up in a romantic entanglement. John Lynch plays Nemo, a mysterious man who is linked to Lady Dedlock's past, and Pauline Collins plays Miss Flite, an eccentric woman who is convinced that the case will never be resolved.
Tom Georgeson plays Krook, a rag and bone man who is linked to the murder, and Sean McGinley plays Smallweed, a miserly old man who is also connected to the case. The show features a large ensemble cast and numerous intertwining storylines that explore the themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and justice.
The Bleak House is a beautifully crafted period drama that captures the essence of Dickens' classic novel. The performances are superb and the production values are top-notch, with attention paid to every detail of the Victorian era. The show is atmospheric and haunting, with a sense of foreboding that permeates every scene.
The intricate plot unfolds gradually, with numerous twists and turns that keep the audience guessing. The characters are complex and well-drawn, with each one having their own motivations and secrets. The show explores the dark underbelly of Victorian society, with its poverty, corruption, and inequality, but also highlights the resilience and courage of its characters.
Overall, The Bleak House is a must-watch for fans of period drama and classic literature. It is a timeless story that still resonates today, and the show does justice to the source material. With its talented cast, compelling storyline, and stunning production values, it is a true gem of British television.
The Bleak House is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between October 23, 2005 and on BBC America