Daniel Deronda (2002– )

Set in Victorian London, Gwendolen Harleth is drawn to Daniel Deronda, a selfless and intelligent gentleman of unknown parentage, but her own desperate need for financial security may destroy her chance at happiness.

Stars:

Hugh Dancy, Romola Garai, Hugh Bonneville

5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Hugh Dancy	...	Daniel Deronda (4 episodes, 2002)
Romola Garai	...	Gwendolen Harleth (4 episodes, 2002)
Hugh Bonneville	...	Henleigh Grandcourt (4 episodes, 2002)
Jodhi May	...	Mirah Lapidoth (4 episodes, 2002)
Edward Fox	...	Sir Hugo Mallinger (4 episodes, 2002)
Amanda Root	...	Mrs. Davilow (4 episodes, 2002)
Celia Imrie	...	Mrs. Meyrick (4 episodes, 2002)
Jamie Bamber	...	Hans Meyrick (4 episodes, 2002)
Georgie Glen	...	Lady Mallinger (4 episodes, 2002)
Kate Maberly	...	Kate Meyrick (4 episodes, 2002)
Lisa Jackson	...	Mab Meyrick (4 episodes, 2002)
Serena Martin	...	Phoebe Meyrick (4 episodes, 2002)
Anna Popplewell	...	Fanny Davilow (4 episodes, 2002)
Clarista Hoult	...	Mallinger girl #1 (4 episodes, 2002)
Emma Deigman	...	Mallinger girl #2 (4 episodes, 2002)
Poppy Rogers	...	Mallinger girl #3 (4 episodes, 2002)
David Bamber	...	Lush (3 episodes, 2002)
Allan Corduner	...	Herr Klesmer (3 episodes, 2002)
Anna Steel	...	Catherine Arrowpoint (3 episodes, 2002)
Joe Starrs	...	Young Henleigh (3 episodes, 2002)
Gillian Maguire	...	Bertha Davilow (3 episodes, 2002)
Anna Maguire	...	Isobel Davilow (3 episodes, 2002)
Greta Scacchi	...	Lydia Glasher (3 episodes, 2002)
Daniel Evans	...	Mordecai (3 episodes, 2002)
Barbara Hershey	...	Contessa Maria Alcharisi (2 episodes, 2002)
Nicholas Day	...	Lord Brackenshaw (2 episodes, 2002)
Lesley Stratton	...	Adelaide Cohen (2 episodes, 2002)
Michael Elwyn	...	Mr. Arrowpoint (2 episodes, 2002)
Daniel Marks	...	Jacob Cohen (2 episodes, 2002)
Sarah Marks	...	Rebecca Cohen (2 episodes, 2002)
Delia Lindsay	...	Mrs. Arrowpoint (2 episodes, 2002)
Nickolas Grace	...	Vandernoodt (2 episodes, 2002)
Stephanie Jacob	...	Gadmere servant (2 episodes, 2002)
Diana Brooks	...	Mrs. Cohen (2 episodes, 2002)
Philip Dunbar	...	Governor Square Footman (2 episodes, 2002)
Simon Schatzberger	...	Ezra Cohen (2 episodes, 2002)

Storyline

It is across the roulette table that Gwendolen Harleth first locks eyes with the enigmatic Daniel Deronda. Gwendolen is beautiful, vivacious, and a gambler, but desperate for financial security; something that possessive Henleigh Grandcourt would be able to provide for her. Daniel is the adopted son of an aristocratic, but doubtful of his own identity. He pours his energy into selflessly helping his friends, including poor Jewish singer Mirah Lapidoth. As Gwendolen's situation becomes dire, and Daniel seeks to uncover the mystery surrounding his own birth, their lives become intertwined...

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Plot Keywords:

singer | search for parent | english | tv mini series | boat accident | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [uk] PBS Masterpiece Theatre - production notes, Who's Who, etc

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 November 2002 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Avington Park, Winchester, Hampshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), WGBH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

210 min 210 min (3 parts) 210 min (4 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The novel is set at the same time as the U.S. Civil War, whereas the adaptation moves the action ahead ten years to 1874 - the year George Eliot actually began writing the novel.

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Goofs

At Ezra Cohen's store, the baby's left shoe and sock disappear then reappear.

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Connections

Featured in George Eliot: A Scandalous Life (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Cavatina (from The Marriage of Figaro)"
By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Vocalist Jenny Burn

User Reviews

Excellent adaptation despite the slight departure from the book

If you're familiar with George Eliot and have read her books, you'll most likely enjoy this adaptation.

But if you're a George Eliot purist, you may be dismayed by the film's romanticization of Daniel & Gwendolyn's relationship. I personally was okay with it and found it a forgivable artistic liberty, as it was handled delicately and tastefully and did not detract from the heart of the story. In fact, I liked the adapted screenplay for its restraint.

If you're a Jane Austen fan but not familiar with Eliot's work, you might find this story lacking in wit compared to Austen's stories, or just too glum. But George Eliot herself was a very different woman from Austen. The Jewish subplot--something that is also present in Eliot's more famous 'Middlemarch'--is enough to make the two authors different, but the sociopolitical depth and soberness of Eliot's work also sets them apart.

The casting was terrific all around (including the magnificently aging Greta Scacchi), and the costumes & scenery were perfect.

~NN