Little Dorrit, the 2008 BBC miniseries adapted from Charles Dickens' novel, has been hailed by viewers as the "best Dickens adaptation of all-time" and is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
Award-Winning Adaptation
The series won seven Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries. It holds a perfect 100% rating from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, making it a critical and popular triumph.
Co-directed by Adam Smith, Dearbhla Walsh, and Diarmuid Lawrence, the screenplay was written by Andrew Davies. The BBC and WGBH Boston co-production aired in the US on PBS's Masterpiece.
Plot and Cast
The story follows the Dorrit family, whose lives revolve around the Marshalsea debtor's prison. Amy Dorrit (Claire Foy) connects with society across all classes. The cast includes Matthew Macfadyen, Tom Courtenay, Judy Parfitt, Andy Serkis, Eddie Marsan, and Alun Armstrong.
Claire Foy called the role "so important to me—it was my first big job, a character I got to play for six months."
Filming Locations and Reception
Filmed at Luton Hoo, Chenies Manor House, Hellfire Caves, the Old Royal Naval College, Deal Castle, and Hampton Court Palace (as Marshalsea Prison), the series has been praised as "absorbing and entertaining" by critics.
One viewer wrote: "Absolutely wonderful! Beautiful scripts, enchanting acting and mesmerizing drama! The best of the Dickens!" Another IMDB user said: "One of the very best Dickens adaptations, even British period novel adaptations, ever."
Little Dorrit is available to stream free on BBC iPlayer.
