"Cranford" (2007) TV mini-series

Creators:

Sue Birtwistle
Susie Conklin
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

18 November 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | England | Doctor | Gossip | Small Town

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 12 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Judi Dench	...	Miss Matty Jenkyns (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Julia McKenzie	...	Mrs. Forrester (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Imelda Staunton	...	Miss Octavia Pole / ... (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Lisa Dillon	...	Mary Smith (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Deborah Findlay	...	Miss Tomkinson (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Barbara Flynn	...	Mrs. Jamieson (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Alex Etel	...	Harry Gregson (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Claudie Blakley	...	Martha (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Alex Jennings	...	Reverend Hutton (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Jim Carter	...	Captain Brown (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Francesca Annis	...	Lady Ludlow (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Adrian Scarborough	...	Mr. Johnson (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Emma Fielding	...	Miss Galindo (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Simon Woods	...	Dr. Harrison (5 episodes, 2007)
Andrew Buchan	...	Jem Hearne (5 episodes, 2007-2009)
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)
Debra Gillett	...	Mrs. Johnson (5 episodes, 2007-2009)
Lesley Manville	...	Mrs. Rose (5 episodes, 2007)
Hester Odgers	...	Helen Hutton (5 episodes, 2007)
Julia Sawalha	...	Jessie Brown (5 episodes, 2007)
Emma Lowndes	...	Bella Gregson (5 episodes, 2007-2009)
Greg Wise	...	Sir Charles Maulver (4 episodes, 2007-2009)
Hannah Stokely	...	Bessie (4 episodes, 2007)
Hannah Hobley	...	Bertha (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)
Eileen Atkins	...	Miss Deborah Jenkyns (2 episodes, 2007)
Haydon Downing	...	Walter Hutton (2 episodes, 2007)
Bessie Carter	...	Margaret Gidman (2 episodes, 2007-2009)
Alistair Petrie	...	Major Gordon (2 episodes, 2007)
Michael Gambon	...	Mr. Holbrook / ... (2 episodes, 2007)
Adam Henderson Scott	...	Assistant Auctioneer (2 episodes, 2007)
Roger Ennals	...	Mulliner (2 episodes, 2007)
Patricia Leach	...	Gypsy Woman (2 episodes, 2007)
Andrew Westfield	...	Farmer Graves (2 episodes, 2007)
Finty Williams	...	Clara Smith (2 episodes, 2007)
Imogen Byron	...	Kate (2 episodes, 2007)
Philippa Burt	...	Villager (2 episodes, 2007)

Series Directed by
Simon Curtis		(6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Steve Hudson		(5 episodes, 2007)

Series Writing credits
Sue Birtwistle		(6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Susie Conklin		(6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Elizabeth Gaskell		(6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Heidi Thomas		(6 episodes, 2007-2009)

Series Produced by
Sue Birtwistle	....	producer (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Rebecca Eaton	....	executive producer: WGBH (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Kate Harwood	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Rupert Ryle-Hodges	....	co-producer (6 episodes, 2007-2009)

Series Original Music by
Carl Davis		(5 episodes, 2007)

Series Cinematography by
Ben Smithard		(6 episodes, 2007-2009)

Series Film Editing by
Frances Parker		(4 episodes, 2007-2009)
Dan Roberts		(2 episodes, 2007)

Series Casting by
Maggie Lunn		(5 episodes, 2007)

Series Production Design by
Donal Woods		(5 episodes, 2007)

Series Art Direction by
Charmian Adams		(5 episodes, 2007)
Mark Kebby		(5 episodes, 2007)

Series Set Decoration by
Trisha Edwards		(5 episodes, 2007)

Series Costume Design by
Jenny Beavan		(6 episodes, 2007-2009)

Series Makeup Department
Alison Elliott	....	hair designer / makeup designer (5 episodes, 2007)
Adele Firth	....	hair stylist / makeup artist (5 episodes, 2007)
Barrie Gower	....	prosthetic makeup artist (5 episodes, 2007)
Julie Kendrick	....	hair styles supervisor / makeup supervisor (5 episodes, 2007)
Laura Lilley	....	hair trainee / makeup trainee (5 episodes, 2007)
Marc Pilcher	....	hair stylist / makeup artist (5 episodes, 2007)
Karen Z.M. Turner	....	hair styles supervisor / makeup supervisor (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Production Management
Sam Lucas	....	post-production supervisor (5 episodes, 2007)
Sharon McGuinness	....	unit manager (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Phil Booth	....	first assistant director (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Hannah Brown	....	third assistant director (5 episodes, 2007)
Courtney Getter	....	crowd third assistant director (5 episodes, 2007)
Ben Harrison	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 2007)
Christian Rigg	....	crowd second assistant director (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Art Department
Gina Cromwell	....	production buyer (5 episodes, 2007)
Steve Deane	....	supervising carpenter (5 episodes, 2007)
Andrew Forrest	....	stand-by props (5 episodes, 2007)
Andrew Fox	....	stand-by carpenter (5 episodes, 2007)
John Gibson	....	stand-by carpenter (5 episodes, 2007)
Charlie Johnson	....	dressing props (5 episodes, 2007)
Barry Moll	....	construction manager (5 episodes, 2007)
Paddy Paddison	....	stand-by art director (5 episodes, 2007)
Mike Power	....	property master (5 episodes, 2007)
Mike Rawlings	....	stand-by props (5 episodes, 2007)
Michael Redmond	....	stand-by rigger (5 episodes, 2007)
Don Santos	....	dressing props (5 episodes, 2007)
Lucy Spofforth	....	assistant art director (5 episodes, 2007)
Dicken Warner	....	thatcher (5 episodes, 2007)
Nick Wood	....	supervising painter (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Sound Department
Peter Brill	....	sound recordist (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Paul Hamblin	....	dubbing mixer (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Joanna Andrews	....	sound assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Tony Cook	....	boom operator (5 episodes, 2007)
Graham Headicar	....	sound effects editor (5 episodes, 2007)
Steve Little	....	dialogue editor (5 episodes, 2007)
Forbes Noonan	....	foley recordist (5 episodes, 2007)
Andre Schmidt	....	dialogue editor (5 episodes, 2007)
Alexandros Sidiropoulos	....	assistant dubbing mixer (5 episodes, 2007)
Iain Eyre	....	dialogue and adr editor / dialogue editor (4 episodes, 2007-2009)
Mike Stewart	....	adr mixer (4 episodes, 2007-2009)
Sam Pullen	....	sound assistant (2 episodes, 2007)

Series Special Effects by
Mark Holt	....	special effects supervisor (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Visual Effects by
Simon Carr	....	visual effects supervisor (1 episode, 2009)

Series Stunts
Nrinder Dhudwar	....	stunt coordinator (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Adam Coles	....	focus puller / first assistant camera (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Sam Smithard	....	camera trainee / assistant camera (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Nick Briggs	....	still photographer (5 episodes, 2007)
Alex Golding	....	clapper loader (5 episodes, 2007)
Anthony Hugill	....	first assistant camera / focus puller (5 episodes, 2007)
Alan Martin	....	gaffer (5 episodes, 2007)
Terence Montague	....	best boy (5 episodes, 2007)
Ronan Murphy	....	key grip (5 episodes, 2007)
Dean Murray	....	clapper loader (5 episodes, 2007)
James Nesbitt	....	electrician (5 episodes, 2007)
Roger Pearce	....	camera operator (5 episodes, 2007)
Daniel Rake	....	grip (5 episodes, 2007)
David Taylor	....	electrician (5 episodes, 2007)
Simon Thorpe	....	grip (5 episodes, 2007)
Rob Walton	....	electrician (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Charlotte Law	....	assistant costume designer (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Barbara Brady	....	daily costume assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Sue Casey	....	daily costume assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Mark Ferguson	....	costume supervisor (5 episodes, 2007)
Helen Ingham	....	costume assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Stephen Miles	....	principal costume maker / workroom supervisor (5 episodes, 2007)
David Otzen	....	costume assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Stephanie Paul	....	daily costume assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Lora E. Revitt	....	daily costume assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Anna Sandler	....	daily costume assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Sally Turner	....	daily costume assistant (5 episodes, 2007)
Kirsty Wilkinson	....	costume assistant (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Editorial Department
Jet Omoshebi	....	colorist (5 episodes, 2007)
Frances Parker	....	supervising editor (5 episodes, 2007)
Jesse Parker	....	assistant editor (5 episodes, 2007)
Shane Warden	....	on-line editor (5 episodes, 2007)
Lee Warren	....	post-production coordinator (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Music Department
Steve Parr	....	music mixer / music recordist (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Transportation Department
Darren Leen	....	transportation captain (5 episodes, 2007)
Bill Walker	....	unit driver (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Other crew
Jenny Brassett	....	production coordinator (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Dylan Davies	....	unit medic (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Jennifer Hudson	....	production runner / assistant coordinator (6 episodes, 2007-2009)
Matt Bannister	....	picture publicity (5 episodes, 2007)
Danielle Bennett	....	floor runner (5 episodes, 2007)
Sue Clegg	....	script supervisor (5 episodes, 2007)
Susie Conklin	....	script editor (5 episodes, 2007)
Camilla Curtis	....	production coordinator (5 episodes, 2007)
Rebecca Davis	....	unit manager (5 episodes, 2007)
Steve Dent	....	horses and carriages (5 episodes, 2007)
Annie Frederics	....	publicist (5 episodes, 2007)
Tania Gordon	....	floor runner (5 episodes, 2007)
Majella Hurley	....	voice coach (5 episodes, 2007)
Neil Jones	....	production accountant (5 episodes, 2007)
Jamie Lengyel	....	location manager (5 episodes, 2007)
Richard May	....	location manager (5 episodes, 2007)
Dolores McGinley	....	titles (5 episodes, 2007)
Gill Raddings	....	animal trainer / animals by (5 episodes, 2007)
Gemma Louise Read	....	floor runner (5 episodes, 2007)
Thalia Reynolds	....	talent rights executive (5 episodes, 2007)
Gordon Ronald	....	production consultant (5 episodes, 2007)
Jon Rowe	....	assistant to producers (5 episodes, 2007)
Dr. Martin Scurr	....	medical advisor (5 episodes, 2007)
Carla Self	....	assistant accountant (5 episodes, 2007)
Pat Silburn	....	researcher (5 episodes, 2007)
Posy Simmonds	....	title designer (5 episodes, 2007)
Jenny Uglow	....	historical advisor (5 episodes, 2007)

Series Thanks
Steve Dent	....	acknowledgment: horses & carriages by (5 episodes, 2007)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (as BBC)
• WGBH (as WGBH Boston)
• Chestermead (in association with)

Distributors

• BBC Worldwide (2007) (UK) (TV)
• 2 Entertain Video (2007) (UK) (DVD)
• BBC Warner (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Masterpiece Theatre (2007) (USA) (TV)
• Nederlandse Christelijke Radio Vereniging (NCRV) (2008) (Netherlands) (TV)

Other Companies

• ARRI Lighting Rental  lighting
• Audiolink Radio Communications  walkie talkies
• Boom  sound post-production
• HireWorks  equipment support
• Media Services  stationery supplier
• Pepper Post Production  post-production facilities

Also Known As:

Cranford Chronicles (UK) (working title)
Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

60 min (5 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Netherlands:6 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Ashridge Park, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The span of the story in the mini-series is a year, from the summer of 1842 to the summer of 1843.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (2008) (TV)

Heartwarming? Yes. But clever, too, with outstanding performances and a fine screenplay

The opportunity to watch so many of Britain's great female actors working together in parts that allow them to demonstrate just how good they are is one of the two immensely satisfying aspects of Cranford, the five-part, 291-minute drama imported from Britain by way of Masterpiece Theater. The other is the story itself -- a kind of Austen-like tale of good manners, gossip, punctilious courtesies and extraordinarily detailed production values. Cranford may be a genteel and gentle soap opera, but it glows with warmth, humor and the occasional dramatic crisis.

Cranford is a small English village, tidy and well kept. The time is the early 1840's. The village hasn't changed much over the years. The established ladies of the village plan to keep it that way. For the next 12 months of Cranford we'll see a new, young doctor come to town, the affects of a train line being built closer and closer to the village, romance and marriages, typhoid, death and poverty. We'll see why some think the lower classes should not be taught to read or write, how it really hurts to have your leg amputated, how a woman of a certain age who is not married may well expect to live a lonely life. We'll also see friendships, misunderstandings, the love for a cow and the deep comfort of accepted ways. Keep in mind that the story isn't simply a bucolic tale of a world long gone. We're going to deal with class distinctions, poverty, condescension to women, and customs that can strangle affection. There are several story lines that develop and weave around each other.

At the heart of the story are the women of Cranford, for whom gossip is a way of life. Eileen Atkins plays the elderly Miss Deborah Jenkyns, a severe woman who is not without feelings and who is the acknowledged arbiter of what is proper. Her sister, Miss Mattie Jenkyns, played by Judy Dench, is a bit scatterbrained but a warm and empathetic person. And we have Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton), a lightening transmitter of juicy information; Mrs. Forrester (Julia MacKenzie), a widow who is a bit of a ditherer but good-hearted; and Miss Jamieson (Barbara Flynn), better off than the others which she is careful to display, and more conventional, but prepared to be brought around. There is Mary Smith (Lisa Dillon), who comes to live with the Jenkyns sisters to escape a busybody stepmother and who finds more than she thought she would. Thankfully, she has a good mind and a sense of humor. And there is Lady Ludlow (Francesca Annis), the grand, aging lady in the grand estate nearby who learns to acknowledge that others may be correct, while not seeming to apologize for her class standards. What of the men? They're around, but for the most part they exist simply to provide the framework for the women's stories. Such superior actors as Michael Gambon, Jim Carter and Martin Shaw play them.

When we leave Cranford five hours after we arrived, we've smiled a lot, teared up a few times, and have come to admire these women, their capacity for friendship and their desire to keep the future from arriving too soon. If you hear the term "heartwarming," don't be put off. This program is intelligently written and is acted with extraordinary and underplayed skill.