The Way We Live Now 

At the center of the story is Augustus Melmotte, a European-born city financier, whose origins are as mysterious as his business dealings. Trollope describes him as 'something in the city',... See full summary »

Stars:

David Suchet, Matthew Macfadyen, Cillian Murphy

7 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
David Suchet	...	Augustus Melmotte 4 episodes, 2001
Matthew Macfadyen	...	Sir Felix Carbury 4 episodes, 2001
Cillian Murphy	...	Paul Montague 4 episodes, 2001
Paloma Baeza	...	Hetta Carbury 4 episodes, 2001
Cheryl Campbell	...	Lady Carbury 4 episodes, 2001
Richard Cant	...	Dolly Longestaffe 4 episodes, 2001
Shirley Henderson	...	Marie Melmotte 4 episodes, 2001
Tom Fahy	...	Butler - Grosvenor Square 4 episodes, 2001
Allan Corduner	...	Croll 4 episodes, 2001
Angus Wright	...	Miles Grendall 4 episodes, 2001
Miranda Otto	...	Mrs. Hurtle 4 episodes, 2001
Stuart McQuarrie	...	Lord Nidderdale 4 episodes, 2001
Tony Britton	...	Lord Alfred Grendall 4 episodes, 2001
Oliver Ford Davies	...	Mr. Longestaffe 4 episodes, 2001
Helen Schlesinger	...	Madame Melmotte 4 episodes, 2001
Douglas Hodge	...	Roger Carbury 4 episodes, 2001
Maxine Peake	...	Ruby Ruggles 4 episodes, 2001
Graham Crowden	...	Marquis of Auld Reekie 4 episodes, 2001
Anne-Marie Duff	...	Georgiana Longestaffe 4 episodes, 2001
David Bradley	...	Mr. Broune 4 episodes, 2001
Sarah Niven	...	Simpson 3 episodes, 2001
Rob Brydon	...	Mr. Alf 3 episodes, 2001
Jon Rumney	...	Herr Vossner 3 episodes, 2001
Nicholas McGaughey	...	John Crumb 3 episodes, 2001
Michele Dotrice	...	Mrs. Pipkin 3 episodes, 2001
Jim Carter	...	Mr. Brehgert 3 episodes, 2001
Michael Riley	...	Hamilton K. Fisker 3 episodes, 2001
Lilo Baur	...	Didon 2 episodes, 2001
Tony Pritchard	...	Mr. Wakeham 2 episodes, 2001
Joanna David	...	Lady Pomona Longestaffe 2 episodes, 2001
Fenella Woolgar	...	Lady Julia Monogram 2 episodes, 2001

Storyline

At the center of the story is Augustus Melmotte, a European-born city financier, whose origins are as mysterious as his business dealings. Trollope describes him as 'something in the city', but the "something" part is not always clear. Within weeks of arriving in London, he announces a new company and promises instant fortune to those who join him in this scheme. Melmotte is surrounded by a circle of decadent aristos, scheming widows and nouveau riche businessmen, all trying to get a piece of the financial pie. His disobedient daughter, Marie, is played by Shirley Henderson, while Cheryl Campbell, Matthew Macfadyen and Paloma Baeza bring to life the aristocratic but impoverished Carbury family.

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Plot Keywords:

railroad business | nouveau riche | victorian england | victorian era | 1800s | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

PBS [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 2001 (UK)

Also Known As:

Elomme päivät

Filming Locations:

Luton Hoo Estate, Luton, Bedfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), NOVA/WGBH Boston, Deep Indigo Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

300 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mrs. Hurtle tells us the action takes place in 1870. In that year Salt Lake City was a closed community of about 12,000, unlikely to be the terminus of an international railway. Likewise, Paul lists Los Angeles as one of the places where the railroad company is being capitalized. Los Angeles then was a lawless town of about 4500, not the sort of place where a major investment project is likely to be underwritten.

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Quotes

Sir Felix Carbury: I may not be possessed of great wealth or property, but I am a baronet and a gentleman.
Augustus Melmotte: And I'm not, you imply.
Sir Felix Carbury: No! No, that's not what I meant at all!
Augustus Melmotte: I think we understand each other very well. You're to provide the rank and position and I am to provide the money. That's the bargain. I buy my daughter a place in society by paying you to marry her.

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Connections

Featured in The Two Loves of Anthony Trollope (2004)

User Reviews

An almost perfect miniseries

This dark drama/sometime comedy based on Anthony Trollop's novel is probably my favorite miniseries of all time. David Suchet and Shirley Henderson steal the show. Their acting and interpersonal dynamics are among the best to ever grace the screen. Matthew McFadden and Cheryl Campbel, too, are are amazing.

The musical score is brilliant -- a perfect fit.

The only flaw in this series is a major one -- the awful miscasting of Cillian Murphy as Paul Montague. Awful. His China doll complexion and blue eyes more resemble a Kewpee Doll than a man working in the rugged American west to build a railroad. He looks ridiculous in a cowboy hat, and his attempt at a cowboy swagger is cringeworthy. Murphy's miscasting is as glaring as that of Leslie Howard in Gone With The Wind. Both wonderful actors, just playing the wrong part.

Other than this flaw, The Way We Live Now is not to be missed!