The Barchester Chronicles (1982– )

Stars:

Donald Pleasence, Janet Maw, Nigel Hawthorne

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Donald Pleasence	...	Rev. Septimus Harding (7 episodes, 1982)
Janet Maw	...	Eleanor Bold (7 episodes, 1982)
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Archdeacon Grantly (7 episodes, 1982)
Angela Pleasence	...	Susan Grantly (7 episodes, 1982)
Barbara Flynn	...	Mary Bold (6 episodes, 1982)
Clive Swift	...	Bishop Proudie (5 episodes, 1982)
Geraldine McEwan	...	Mrs. Proudie (5 episodes, 1982)
Alan Rickman	...	Obadiah Slope (5 episodes, 1982)
Susan Hampshire	...	Signora Madeline Neroni (5 episodes, 1982)
Susan Edmonstone	...	Charlotte Stanhope (5 episodes, 1982)
Peter Blythe	...	Bertie Stanhope (5 episodes, 1982)
Joseph O'Conor	...	Mr. Bunce (4 episodes, 1982)
William Redgrave	...	Samuel Grantly (3 episodes, 1982)
Cyril Luckham	...	Bishop Grantly (3 episodes, 1982)
Christopher Maynard	...	John Bold Jr. (3 episodes, 1982)
Jonathan Adams	...	Mr. Quiverful (3 episodes, 1982)
Maggie Jones	...	Letitia Quiverful (3 episodes, 1982)
Clifford Parrish	...	Abel Handy (3 episodes, 1982)
Derek New	...	Francis Arabin (3 episodes, 1982)
David Gwillim	...	John Bold (2 episodes, 1982)
Trevor Baxter	...	Dr. Gwynne (2 episodes, 1982)
George Costigan	...	Tom Towers (2 episodes, 1982)
Wally Thomas	...	Mr. Moody (2 episodes, 1982)
Richard Bebb	...	Dr. Vesey Stanhope (2 episodes, 1982)
Kenneth Keeling	...	Mr. Gazy (2 episodes, 1982)
Denis Carey	...	Job Skulpit (2 episodes, 1982)
Richard Leech	...	Wilfred Thorne (2 episodes, 1982)
Ursula Howells	...	Miss Thorne (2 episodes, 1982)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

bishop | tv mini series | cello | henpecked husband | cathedral | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1982 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min 55 min (7 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Donald Pleasence was cast at short notice after the first choice died.

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Quotes

Archdeacon Grantly: This appears to be the gist of the matter...
Bishop Grantly: You mean to say, amongst all these documents there is a gist?

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Connections

Featured in Time Shift: Alan Plater: Hearing the Music (2005)

User Reviews

Alan Rickman is a great virtue - and a great problem

Alan Rickman was apparently the second choice for the part of Obadiah Slope. I have no idea who the original selection was - but I bet he's been kicking himself ever since!

In the book, Slope is portrayed as a somewhat uneasy cross between a buffoon and a disturbing snake in the grass. Every time he threatens to become too dangerous, Trollope proceeds to undermine him again.

I believe that the reason why Rickman was offered the part is because the director wanted an actor who could come across as amusing and sleazy, yet plausibly creepy - and sexy.

Slope HAS to possess a great deal of animal magnetism, as this is what explains the extremely strong reaction he produces in otherwise respectable ladies of whatever age.

Rickman certainly gets THAT across - in spades. He may not be conventionally good-looking - but he's totally incapable of playing an asexual character.

Problem is, he ends up completely overwhelming Mrs Bold's other two suitors. Any heterosexual female viewer with any sense will keep shouting at the screen: "You daft bat! Forget Arabin! It's Slope you want!!!!!"

I agree, Arabin is far better served by the book than this adaptation.