"Little Dorrit" (2008) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

26 October 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

19th Century | Charles Dickens | Debtor's Prison | London England | TV Mini-Series

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Claire Foy	...	Amy Dorrit (14 episodes, 2008)
Matthew Macfadyen	...	Arthur Clennam (14 episodes, 2008)
Tom Courtenay	...	Mr. Dorrit (14 episodes, 2008)
Alun Armstrong	...	Flintwinch / ... (12 episodes, 2008)
Judy Parfitt	...	Mrs. Clennam (12 episodes, 2008)
Eddie Marsan	...	Pancks (11 episodes, 2008)
Emma Pierson	...	Fanny Dorrit / ... (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)
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)
Amanda Redman	...	Mrs. Merdle (7 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)
Charlie Simpson	....	unit manager (13 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)
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)
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)
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)
Jessica Brooks	....	prosthetic application (unknown 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)
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)

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

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The tan striped gown with teal scallop trim at the hem Emma Pierson (Fanny Dorrit) wears to visit Mrs. Merdles is the same costume Greta Scacchi (Mrs. Weston) wears in the final scene of Emma (1996). The same costume is also worn by a guest at the Easter Ball in "Wives and Daughters" (1999).

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (2009) (TV)

Wonderful

From the first moments of this wonderful production we (mum, dad and two girls 10 and 12) were entranced. Unlike those in the UK who would see this a slice a week, we saw the whole lot over a single long weekend. As I write - we've just two episodes to go...

We have all the BBC Dickens productions for comparison - including the recent Bleak House and our favourites Great Expectations and (my personal top) Our Mutual Friend. LD comes v.close to the top of this pile - The last two episodes may tip the balance....

From the first, this production grabs with its beautiful and (perhaps unusually) 'sunny' scenery. None of the austerity of the recent Great Expectations production, nor the gloominess of Bleak House. Actually this made for a nice change.... The acting is perfect - with key emotional scenes being utterly believable. The actor playing Young Chivery (heading for great things I suspect) induced a flood burst of tears from my 10 year old in the marriage proposal scene. As others have mentioned, even the smaller parts are excellently cast and played. But there's something else at play here to make this possible.

In many Dickens productions Directors seem loath to leave peripheral characters out. Bleak House in particular suffered for this I think. In LD everyone seems to have space and time in which to be presented and to evolve. It never feels chaotic or suffocating - time is taken, and this makes the whole that more soluble.

The leads are all superb - Little Dorit is perfectly perfect without being goody goody....(another issue with Bleak House), and Andrew McFad is particularly good, managing to look younger than he did in the wonderful Pride and Prejudice... And did he chub up for the role? Things have been left out - and perhaps the damning indictment of society and government are not so forcibly presented as they might have been. But what remains is a delightful mystery, beautifully told and acted and which we will want to watch all over again as soon as we've come to the end.