'Masterpiece' BBC drama based on classic novel is 'excellent adaptation'

A Christmas special period drama that originally aired in 2011 is continuing to get praise nearly 15 years on from its release. Great Expectations is a three-part BBC television drama adaptation created by Sarah Phelps of Charles Dickens' 1861 novel of the same name. The TV mini series stars Ray Winstone as Magwitch, Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham, Douglas Booth as Pip, Vanessa Kirby as Estella and David Suchet as Jaggers. The adaptation was first broadcast on British television over the Christmas period in 2011.

The series synopsis reads: "Great Expectations is a three-part adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel about the orphan Pip. He is a blacksmith's apprentice who secretly receives a fortune from an anonymous benefactor, which allows him to move to London to become a gentleman. His life is shaped by his encounters with the jilted, eccentric Miss Havisham and her cold adopted daughter, Estella, with whom he falls in love."

Anderson's casting as Miss Havisham drew attention to the production due to her being only 43, which is very young compared to other actresses who have played her. Despite this, the critical reception was generally positive and in 2012, the show earned the series a total of four Creative Arts Emmy Awards out of five nominations for Outstanding Art Direction, Cinematography, Costumes, and Main Title Design.

Fans of the series have taken to IMDb to review and share their thoughts on the adaptation.

One reviewer described Great Expectations as an "excellent adaptation", adding: "This is a masterpiece."

Another wrote a glowing review stating: "Script, Casting, Direction, Production and performances throughout make this version of this Dickens classic, for me, the definitive version. The BBC at its very best, just a glance a look the cast listing and you'll know you're about to experience a quality piece of entertainment. From start to finish, the pace and subtlety are faultless. As for notable performances? Well, in my opinion, every actor holds their own throughout the three episodes."

A third added: "A fine production in my opinion of another Dickens classic. Well worth your time."

"Personally, this programme made my Christmas much better. I watched it with my family, and it was just the kind of thing that was suitable for everyone. The actors were excellent, Gillian Anderson giving a very creepy yet sympathetic performance of Miss Havisham, and Harry Lloyd was pitched perfectly as the eccentric and loyal Herbert Pocket. Ray Winstone and Shaun Dooley were also heartbreaking as the convict Magwitch and Pip's kind brother-in-law Joe Gargery. But the person that stood out to me most was Douglas Booth as Pip," added another reviewer.

Great Expectations is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.