A BBC period drama has been hailed as the 'best Charles Dickens adaptation of all time' by viewers, and it is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer. The 2008 miniseries, based on Dickens' novel of the same title, originally aired on BBC One and BBC HD.
Little Dorrit, co-directed by Adam Smith, Dearbhla Walsh, and Diarmuid Lawrence, features a screenplay by Andrew Davies. The series was a joint production between the BBC and WGBH Boston, and was broadcast in the US as part of PBS's Masterpiece series. The story follows the Dorrit family, whose lives revolve around the Marshalsea debtor's prison, as they encounter a wide range of English society.
The series won seven Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries. It stars Claire Foy in the title role, alongside Matthew Macfadyen, Tom Courtenay, Judy Parfitt, Andy Serkis, Eddie Marsan, and Alun Armstrong. Foy has described Little Dorrit as one of her most cherished projects, calling it 'so important to me' as it was her first major role.
Filming took place at locations including Luton Hoo, Chenies Manor House, and Hellfire Caves in Buckinghamshire, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, and Deal Castle in Kent. Hampton Court Palace was used to portray Marshalsea Prison. The series holds a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and audiences.
Viewers have praised the adaptation, with one calling it 'absolutely wonderful' and 'the best of the Dickens'. Another said it is 'one of the very best Dickens adaptations ever'. The series is available to stream free on BBC iPlayer.
