"Little Dorrit" (2008) TV mini-series 2008-

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

26 October 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

The series tells the story of Amy Dorrit, who spends her days earning money for the family and looking after her proud father...

Plot Keywords:

Debtor's Prison | Debt | Love | 19th Century | Mentally Challenged

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 8 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

Claire Foy	...	Amy Dorrit (14 episodes, 2008)
Matthew Macfadyen	...	Arthur Clennam (14 episodes, 2008)
Tom Courtenay	...	Mr. Dorrit (14 episodes, 2008)
Emma Pierson	...	Fanny Dorrit / ... (14 episodes, 2008)
Kingsley Frances-Gray	...	Woman (14 episodes, 2008)
Alun Armstrong	...	Flintwinch / ... (12 episodes, 2008)
Judy Parfitt	...	Mrs. Clennam (12 episodes, 2008)
Eddie Marsan	...	Pancks (11 episodes, 2008)
Andy Serkis	...	Rigaud (11 episodes, 2008)
Rosie Cavaliero	...	Mrs. Plornish (10 episodes, 2008)
Russell Tovey	...	John Chivery (10 episodes, 2008)
Jason Thorpe	...	Cavalletto (10 episodes, 2008)
Amanda Redman	...	Mrs. Merdle (10 episodes, 2008)
Sebastian Armesto	...	Edmund Sparkler / ... (9 episodes, 2008)
James Fleet	...	Frederick Dorrit (9 episodes, 2008)
Georgia King	...	Pet Gowan / ... (9 episodes, 2008)
Ron Cook	...	Chivery (9 episodes, 2008)
Alex Wyndham	...	Henry Gowan (9 episodes, 2008)
Bill Paterson	...	Mr. Meagles (9 episodes, 2008)
Freema Agyeman	...	Tattycoram (8 episodes, 2008)
Zubin Varla	...	Daniel Doyce (8 episodes, 2008)
Janine Duvitski	...	Mrs. Meagles (8 episodes, 2008)
Anton Lesser	...	Mr. Merdle (7 episodes, 2008)
Nicholas Jones	...	Scary Butler (7 episodes, 2008)
Eve Myles	...	Maggy (7 episodes, 2008)
Arthur Darvill	...	Tip Dorrit (7 episodes, 2008)
Sue Johnston	...	Affery / ... (7 episodes, 2008)
Maxine Peake	...	Miss Wade (7 episodes, 2008)
Ruth Jones	...	Flora Finching (7 episodes, 2008)
Pam Ferris	...	Mrs. General (6 episodes, 2008)
Jason Watkins	...	Plornish (6 episodes, 2008)
Annette Crosbie	...	Mr. F's Aunt (6 episodes, 2008)

Series Directed by
Adam Smith		(6 episodes, 2008)
Dearbhla Walsh		(5 episodes, 2008)
Diarmuid Lawrence		(3 episodes, 2008)

Series Writing credits
Andrew Davies		(14 episodes, 2008)
Charles Dickens		(14 episodes, 2008)

Series Produced by
Rebecca Eaton	....	executive producer: WGBH (14 episodes, 2008)
Lisa Osborne	....	producer (14 episodes, 2008)
Anne Pivcevic	....	executive producer (14 episodes, 2008)
Andrew Wood	....	co-producer (14 episodes, 2008)

Series Original Music by
John Lunn		(14 episodes, 2008)

Series Cinematography by
Owen McPolin		(6 episodes, 2008)
Lukas Strebel		(5 episodes, 2008)
Alan Almond		(3 episodes, 2008)

Series Film Editing by
Philip Kloss		(6 episodes, 2008)
Nick Arthurs		(5 episodes, 2008)
David Head		(3 episodes, 2008)

Series Casting by
Rachel Freck		(14 episodes, 2008)

Series Production Design by
James Merifield		(14 episodes, 2008)

Series Art Direction by
Huw Arthur		(14 episodes, 2008)
Paul Ghirardani		(14 episodes, 2008)
Kat Law		(14 episodes, 2008)

Series Costume Design by
Barbara Kidd		(14 episodes, 2008)

Series Makeup Department
Jessica Brooks	....	make-up/hair artist (14 episodes, 2008)
Carolyn Cousins	....	makeup/hair supervisor (14 episodes, 2008)
Karen Hartley	....	make-up and hair designer (14 episodes, 2008)
Lois McIntosh	....	makeup/hair supervisor (14 episodes, 2008)
Talli Pachter	....	make-up/hair artist (14 episodes, 2008)
Sarah Kelly	....	hair and makeup assistant / makeup assistant (2 episodes, 2008)

Series Production Management
Christine Healy	....	production manager (14 episodes, 2008)
Jessica Rundle	....	post-production supervisor (14 episodes, 2008)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Chris Croucher	....	second assistant director (14 episodes, 2008)
Hanna Haffenden	....	third assistant director (14 episodes, 2008)
Francesco Reidy	....	first assistant director (6 episodes, 2008)
Nige Watson	....	first assistant director (5 episodes, 2008)
James Blackwell	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 2008)

Series Art Department
Garry Dawson	....	property storeman (14 episodes, 2008)
Kevin Harris	....	construction manager (14 episodes, 2008)
Lee Hosken	....	standby carpenter (14 episodes, 2008)
Kieron Mcnamara	....	standby props (14 episodes, 2008)
Antony Parnell	....	dressing props (14 episodes, 2008)
Kellie Waugh	....	stand-by art director (14 episodes, 2008)
Steve Wheeler	....	property master (14 episodes, 2008)
Deborah Wilson	....	production buyer (14 episodes, 2008)
Ray Wilson	....	stand-by rigger (14 episodes, 2008)
Mickey Woolfson	....	standby props (14 episodes, 2008)
Antonia Atha	....	set dressing assistant (5 episodes, 2008)
Martin Griffiths	....	set dresser (5 episodes, 2008)
Derek Cowie	....	chargehand painter (4 episodes, 2008)
Chris Ledger	....	art department assistant (4 episodes, 2008)
Mel Samson	....	chargehand rigger (4 episodes, 2008)
Jack Dyer	....	chargehand stagehand (3 episodes, 2008)
Trevor Dyer	....	chargehand carpenter (3 episodes, 2008)
Matt Wyles	....	set dresser (3 episodes, 2008)
Dean Lee	....	dressing props assistant (2 episodes, 2008)
Trine Taraldsvik	....	art department assistant (2 episodes, 2008)
Bob Thorne	....	standby props (2 episodes, 2008)
Andrew Dyer	....	stagehand (unknown episodes, 2008)
Kat Law	....	assistant art director (unknown episodes, 2008)
Gordon Grant	....	assistant set decorator (unknown episodes)
Stephen McGregor	....	carpenter (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Ross Adams	....	sound effects editor (14 episodes, 2008)
Sandy Buchanan	....	adr recordist / foley recordist (14 episodes, 2008)
Rudi Buckle	....	sound recordist (14 episodes, 2008)
Colin Chapman	....	supervising sound editor (14 episodes, 2008)
Andy Hagon	....	assistant sound re-recording mixer (14 episodes, 2008)
Howard Halsall	....	dialogue editor (14 episodes, 2008)
James Bain	....	boom operator (13 episodes, 2008)
Ian Tapp	....	re-recording mixer (9 episodes, 2008)
Joe Carey	....	sound assistant (5 episodes, 2008)
Richard Street	....	re-recording mixer (5 episodes, 2008)
Fraser Barber	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 2008)

Series Special Effects by
Neal Champion	....	special effects supervisor (14 episodes, 2008)
Graham Aikman	....	special effects technician (3 episodes, 2008)

Series Visual Effects by
Metin Gungor	....	digital matte artist (2 episodes, 2008)
Natalie Stopford	....	visual effects line producer (unknown episodes, 2008)
Audrius Urbonavicius	....	digital matte artist (unknown episodes, 2008)

Series Stunts
Andy Wareham	....	stunt double: Andy Serkis (1 episode, 2008)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Ian Adrian	....	camera operator (14 episodes, 2008)
Steve Anthony	....	best boy (14 episodes, 2008)
Ray Bateman	....	electrician (14 episodes, 2008)
Dick Conway	....	electrician (14 episodes, 2008)
Stuart King	....	gaffer (14 episodes, 2008)
Sam Smith	....	clapper loader (14 episodes, 2008)
Russell Tann	....	electrician (14 episodes, 2008)
Haydn Thomas	....	focus puller (14 episodes, 2008)
Tony Sankey	....	grip (12 episodes, 2008)
Nick Cooke	....	assistant camera / camera assistant (7 episodes, 2008)
John Bailie	....	first assistant camera: dailies (5 episodes, 2008)
Richard Davies	....	grip (2 episodes, 2008)
Glenn Dunning	....	assistant grip (2 episodes, 2008)
Laura Redpath	....	camera assistant (2 episodes, 2008)
Camilla Drennan	....	clapper loader dailies (unknown episodes, 2008)
John Hembrough	....	Steadicam operator (unknown episodes, 2008)
Christopher R. Nunn	....	camera assistant (unknown episodes, 2008)

Series Casting Department
Karen Goddard	....	casting assistant (1 episode, 2008)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jason Gill	....	wardrobe assistant (14 episodes, 2008)
Poli Kyriacou	....	wardrobe assistant (14 episodes, 2008)
Caroline McCall	....	assistant costume designer (14 episodes, 2008)
Luan Placks	....	assistant costume designer (14 episodes, 2008)
Marion Weise	....	costume supervisor (14 episodes, 2008)
Alanna Beaton	....	costume assistant (4 episodes, 2008)

Series Editorial Department
Justin Eely	....	on-line editor (14 episodes, 2008)
Laura Morrod	....	assistant editor (13 episodes, 2008)
Tim Waller	....	colorist (13 episodes, 2008)
Anya Dillon	....	assistant editor (3 episodes, 2008)
Jenny King	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 2008)

Series Transportation Department
Darren Leen	....	transportation captain (4 episodes, 2008)

Series Other crew
Peter Anderson	....	title designer (14 episodes, 2008)
Benjamin Bailey	....	location assistant (14 episodes, 2008)
Matt Bannister	....	picture publicity (14 episodes, 2008)
Jenny Brassett	....	production coordinator (14 episodes, 2008)
Victoria Brooks	....	picture publicity (14 episodes, 2008)
Dylan Davies	....	unit medic (14 episodes, 2008)
Surian Fletcher-Jones	....	script editor (14 episodes, 2008)
Natalie Fraser	....	publicist (14 episodes, 2008)
Lyndsey Honour	....	publicist (14 episodes, 2008)
Jennifer Hudson	....	production secretary (14 episodes, 2008)
Adam Olley	....	production accountant (14 episodes, 2008)
Michelle Pianca	....	location manager (14 episodes, 2008)
Thalia Reynolds	....	talent rights executive (14 episodes, 2008)
Gordon Ronald	....	production consultant (14 episodes, 2008)
Samuel Rook	....	floor runner (14 episodes, 2008)
Simon Sharrod	....	script supervisor (14 episodes, 2008)
Jason Wheeler	....	supervising location manager (14 episodes, 2008)
Denis Wray	....	supervising accountant / supervising production accountant (14 episodes, 2008)
Simon Hill	....	assistant accountant / assistant production accountant (13 episodes, 2008)
Charlie Simpson	....	unit manager (13 episodes, 2008)
Amy Coats	....	floor runner (7 episodes, 2008)
Alex Grasham	....	floor runner (7 episodes, 2008)
Yuen-Wai Liu	....	trainee assistant coordinator (5 episodes, 2008)
Paul Harris	....	choreographer (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• NOVA/WGBH Boston (as WGBH Boston)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2008) (UK) (TV)
• Duna Televízió (2011) (Hungary) (TV)
• Nederlandse Christelijke Radio Vereniging (NCRV) (2008-2009) (Netherlands) (TV)

Special Effects

• Men From Mars (visual effects and animation)

Other Companies

• Audiolink Radio Communications  walkie talkies
• Casting Collective  extras casting
• HireWorks  Avid equipment rental
• Molinare Studio  post-production
• Pinewood Studios Group, The  post-production facilities
• Pinewood Studios Group, The  studios

Also Known As:

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The blue-gray coat with 12 cloth-covered buttons on the bodice Freema Agyeman (Tattycoram) wears is the same costume Julie Cox(Annabella Milbanke) wears in London in _Byron (2003)(TV)_, and Ruby Bentall (Mary Bennet) wears at Longbourn in "Lost in Austen" (2008).

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2008) (TV)

A lot of "Dorrit"..

... hardly "Little" when you see it spread over 12 half-hour and two hour-long bookend episodes, BBC's new production repeats the successful episodic template of the previous "Bleak House", with adaptor-extraordinaire Andrew Davies' latest dramatisation of classic Dickens again, proving, on the whole to be a successful and highly entertaining epic. The novel (no pun intended) idea of breaking down the book to bite-size half-hour chunks to echo the monthly magazine serialisation in Dickens' own time, certainly kept me looking forward with anticipation to the next one, even if it does cater to the half-hour-soap mentality and attention-span of much of today's target audience. The settings were superb, with every background filled in and peopled appropriately, from the squalor of The Marshalsea Prison to the grandeur of the stately homes of London and Venice as The Dorrits make their parabolic journey on the path of moral regeneration. The direction was well-paced and occasionally imaginative while the acting, with a few exceptions was excellent, particularly in the crucial main roles where Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen in arguably the leads convey without too much sentimentality (Dickens' goodly characters frequently teeter on the edge of over-sentimental caricature) their traits of honesty, loyalty, self-sacrifice and humility. The story has elements of Trollope's "The Way We Live Now" (another recent BBC/Davies triumphant adaptation) in its exposure of the unprincipled fat-cats at the centre of high finance, with of course echoes of today's post-credit-crunch collapsing banks in the depiction of Mr Merdle as the epicentre of the bubble that has to burst sometime. Plus ca change... Everyone will have their own favourites amongst the rest of the cast. I was particularly impressed by Eddie Marsan as the tough rent-collector with a heart, the snorting Pankes, Russell Tovey as the lovelorn lock-keeper's son John Chivery, Ruth Jones as Clennam's blowsy, bloated childhood sweetheart, Flora Flinching (her transformation from the slim teenager of his memory to today's fat frump, was deftly rendered) and Flora Robson lookalike Judy Parfitt as Arthur's cold, immovable (in every sense of the word) "mother". The biggest star on board, arguably, is Tom Courteney who skilfully makes sympathetic the basically aloof, pompous, self-deluding Mr Dorrit, particularly his descent into madness and sudden death. On the debit side, I found Freema Agyeman miscast and tending to overact in the admittedly difficult part of Tattycoram and if I was being picky just a little too much of the archetypal Victorian melodramatic villain in the performances of John Alderton and Andy Serkis as the rogues of the piece, Casby and Rigaud/Blandois. Davies' screenplay as ever can't resist the odd allusion to today, but I always find such moments jarring and there are certainly some crudities here which I don't recall Dickens employing. Seems such a shame to go to all the trouble of period recreation to besmirch it with clever-clever in-jokes to a modern audience. That said however, I was thoroughly transported into the Dickens' world that I love and wait with anticipation, the next production. Davies should take on a real challenge in my opinion next time with "Edwin Drood" and fashion us a credible conclusion to Dickens' death-shortened final work.