Our Mutual Friend 

Intertwining tales of love, greed, and secret identities in Charles Dickens's 1860s London.

Stars:

Paul McGann, Keeley Hawes, Dominic Mafham

9 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Paul McGann	...	Eugene Wrayburn 4 episodes, 1998
Dominic Mafham	...	Mortimer Lightwood 4 episodes, 1998
David Bradley	...	Rogue Riderhood 4 episodes, 1998
Anna Friel	...	Bella Wilfer / ... 4 episodes, 1998
Peter Vaughan	...	Mr. Boffin 4 episodes, 1998
Pam Ferris	...	Mrs. Boffin 4 episodes, 1998
Steven Mackintosh	...	John Harmon / ... 4 episodes, 1998
Sarah Crowden	...	First Guest 4 episodes, 1998
Cate Fowler	...	Second Guest 4 episodes, 1998
John Dallimore	...	Third Guest 4 episodes, 1998
Keeley Hawes	...	Lizzie Hexam 4 episodes, 1998
Peter Howell	...	Fourth Guest 4 episodes, 1998
Michael Culkin	...	Mr. Veneering 4 episodes, 1998
Anthony Calf	...	Alfred Lammle 4 episodes, 1998
Doon Mackichan	...	Sophronia Lammle 4 episodes, 1998
Ray Gardner	...	Fifth Guest 4 episodes, 1998
Rose English	...	Mrs. Veneering 4 episodes, 1998
Margaret Tyzack	...	Lady Tippins 4 episodes, 1998
Kenneth Cranham	...	Silas Wegg 4 episodes, 1998
Timothy Spall	...	Mr. Venus 4 episodes, 1998
Paul Bailey	...	Charley Hexam 3 episodes, 1998
David Morrissey	...	Bradley Headstone 3 episodes, 1998
Robert Lang	...	Mr. Tremlow 3 episodes, 1998
Katy Murphy	...	Jenny Wren 3 episodes, 1998
Rachel Power	...	Pleasant Riderhood 3 episodes, 1998
Roger Frost	...	Police Inspector 3 episodes, 1998
Martin Hancock	...	Sloppy 3 episodes, 1998
Cyril Shaps	...	Mr. Riah 3 episodes, 1998
Peter Wight	...	Mr. Wilfer 3 episodes, 1998
David Schofield	...	Gaffer Hexam 2 episodes, 1998
Linda Bassett	...	Abby Potterson 2 episodes, 1998
Richard Hanson	...	George Radfoot 2 episodes, 1998
Eddie Webber	...	First Pub Regular 2 episodes, 1998
Alan Talbot	...	Second Pub Regular 2 episodes, 1998
Willie Ross	...	Mr. Dolls 2 episodes, 1998
Edna Doré	...	Betty Higden 2 episodes, 1998
Bertie Shelley	...	Little Johnny 2 episodes, 1998
Richard Stirling	...	Reverend 2 episodes, 1998
Heather Tobias	...	Mrs. Wilfer 2 episodes, 1998
Catriona Yuill	...	Lavinia Wilfer 2 episodes, 1998
Vanessa Hadaway	...	Lammle's Maid / ... 2 episodes, 1998

Storyline

The tongues of London high society gossips begin to wag when John Harmon --a young man whose inheritance depended on his marrying a woman he had never met-- is found dead in the River Thames. The fortune passes into the hands of the working-class Boffins, who take into their new home both Bella Wilfer (Harmon's would-be bride), and a mysterious secretary known as Rokesmith. Meanwhile, Lizzie Hexam, the daughter of the boatman suspected of Harmon's murder, is pursued by two suitors: obsessive and self-righteous Bradley Headstone and roguish and lethargic Eugene Wrayburn. An expansive and varied cast of characters create an epic intertwining tale.

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Plot Keywords:

river | inheritance | love | greed | victorian england | 

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Taglines:

Love in a city where class governs all

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

PBS [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 January 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Our Mutual Friend

Filming Locations:

Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

350 min (4 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Lizzie is adjusting Eugene's position on the boat, a hand can clearly be seen momentarily keeping the boat steady. It then lets go of the boat and can be seen in the water.

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Quotes

Bradley Headstone: You think no more of me than the dirt under your feet.
Eugene Wrayburn: I assure you, Schoolmaster, I don't think about you.

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Connections

Version of Our Mutual Friend (1976)

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Soundtracks

Begone Dull Care
Traditional
Performed by Kenneth Cranham

User Reviews

As good as Bleak House...

This adaptation of Our Mutual Friend is on a par with the BBC 's Bleak House, which was very impressive indeed. As with all of Dickens novels, a ninety minute movie can do them little justice. It was therefore wonderful to see how the director used the six hours to great affect in 'Our Mutual Friend'. The adaptation has no weak or flat spots, and the actors are without question perfect for every character, my own favourites being Mr Boffin, the loch keeper and the 'one legged man. Without detracting from the acting or plot line,the director gives us a sumptuous visual feast, without becoming too 'Dickensian'. I am biased by believing there is no greater creator of story lines and characters than Charles Dickens, and had he been alive today he would have undoubtedly been very heartened at this attempt to bring his genius to the screen.