Cranford (2007– )

In the 1840s, Cranford is ruled by the ladies. They adore good gossip; and romance and change is in the air, as the unwelcome grasp of the Industrial Revolution rapidly approaches their beloved rural market-town.

Writers:

Sue Birtwistle (creator), Susie Conklin (creator),

Stars:

Judi Dench, Julia McKenzie, Imelda Staunton

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 16 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Judi Dench	...	Miss Matty Jenkyns (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Julia McKenzie	...	Mrs. Forrester (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Imelda Staunton	...	Miss Octavia Pole (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Lisa Dillon	...	Mary Smith (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Deborah Findlay	...	Miss Tomkinson (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Barbara Flynn	...	Mrs. Jamieson (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Alex Etel	...	Harry Gregson (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Alex Jennings	...	Reverend Hutton (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Jim Carter	...	Captain Brown (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Emma Fielding	...	Miss Galindo (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Adrian Scarborough	...	Mr. Johnson (7 episodes, 2007-2009)
Andrew Buchan	...	Jem Hearne (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Claudie Blakley	...	Martha (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Debra Gillett	...	Mrs. Johnson (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Francesca Annis	...	Lady Ludlow (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Emma Lowndes	...	Bella Gregson (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Simon Woods	...	Dr. Harrison (5 episodes, 2007)
Rosy Byrne	...	Lizzie Hutton (5 episodes, 2007)
Kimberley Nixon	...	Sophy Hutton (5 episodes, 2007)
John Bowe	...	Dr. Morgan (5 episodes, 2007)
Selina Griffiths	...	Caroline Tomkinson (5 episodes, 2007)
Philip Glenister	...	Mr. Carter (5 episodes, 2007)
Lesley Manville	...	Mrs. Rose (5 episodes, 2007)
Hester Odgers	...	Helen Hutton (5 episodes, 2007)
Julia Sawalha	...	Jessie Brown (5 episodes, 2007)
Greg Wise	...	Sir Charles Maulver (5 episodes, 2007-2009)
Hannah Hobley	...	Bertha (4 episodes, 2007-2009)
Hannah Stokely	...	Bessie (4 episodes, 2007)
Bessie Carter	...	Margaret Gidman (3 episodes, 2007-2009)
Dean Lennox Kelly	...	Job Gregson (3 episodes, 2007)
Andrew Byrne	...	Malachi Gregson (3 episodes, 2007)
Joe McFadden	...	Jack Marshland (3 episodes, 2007)

Storyline

In the 1840s, Cranford is ruled by the ladies. They adore good gossip; and romance and change is in the air, as the unwelcome grasp of the Industrial Revolution rapidly approaches their beloved rural market-town.

---

Plot Keywords:

marriage | england | doctor | gossip | small town | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Official Sites:

BBC [uk] PBS [us]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 2007 (UK)

Also Known As:

Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford

Filming Locations:

Ashridge Park, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), WGBH, Chestermead

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (5 parts)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sue Birtwistle found out about the novel Cranford after finishing another project. Despite liking it immensely, she felt it wasn't enough to create a drama series, so she read a large portion of Gaskell's other material, and came up with the idea of adapting three of Elizabeth Gaskell novellas into a BBC Drama series; hence Cranford. The three novels were "Cranford", "Mr Harrison's Confessions" and "My Lady Ludlow." Birtwistle and her co-creator Susie Conklin spent several weeks in Birtwistle's apartment in New York using color coded cards to piece the stories together. When writer Heidi Thomas came on board, she mentioned that they had married off someone twice.

---

Connections

Version of Cranford (1972)

User Reviews

Just wonderful in every way

I cannot believe that anyone could miss this wonderful piece of work. I have just watched the final episode with tears streaming down my face! Partly due to the content and partly due to the fact that there will be no more of this feast of period drama/comedy/social comment.Not one performance has jarred not one piece of dialogue does not uplift ones heart. I cannot praise the whole thing enough (perhaps you may have noticed)!! It would be unfair to single out one of the actors for special praise as they were all so exemplary and masters of their craft. Versatility, though, was seen by Philip Glenister's part. To have seen him as the detective in Life on Mars then see him do Cranford just shows what a wealth of talent the British scene has. I want to see it again!!