Watch Great Expectations Extended Trailer
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Charles Dickens’ beloved novel Great Expectations is getting a gritty makeover with a new series airing on BBC One tonight (March 26) at 9pm. The six-part drama has been written by Steve Knight, who is also behind the likes of Peaky Blinders, Taboo and SAS Rogue Heroes. Great Expectations marks Knight’s second Dickens adaptation after he wrote a dark version of A Christmas Carol back in 2019 for the BBC. The new series has already received some criticism with its creator hitting back. Great Expectations has a star-studded cast, here’s where you might have seen some of the actors before.
Who is in the cast of Great Expectations episode 1?
Young Pip – Tom Sweet
Taking on the role of protagonist is Tom Sweet as the wide-eyed and naive young Pip, who is hoping to make his fortune and rise from his working-class status as a blacksmith.
Prior to landing Great Expectations, Sweet has appeared in Gunpowder, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Eight for Silver and The Drifters.
His role in Great Expectations is likely to lead to other projects and is one of his biggest roles to date.
Sweet will be playing the young version of the character with Dunkirk and Black Mirror’s Fionn Whitehead taking over the role later in the series as an older incarnation of Pip.
Miss Havisham – Olivia Colman
Oscar-winner Olivia Colman takes on the role of Miss Havisham, who is determined to have her vengeance on men after being jilted at the altar.
The actress admitted she initially turned down the role before having a change of heart.
Colman needs no introduction with some of her biggest TV roles including Peep Show, Broadchurch, The Crown, Heartstopper and Fleabag.
Her film credits include The Favourite, Empire of Light, The Lost Daughter and Tyrannosaur, among many others.
According to IMDb, Colman will next be appearing in Wonka, Wicked Little Letters and Girl from the North Country.
Young Estella – Chloe Lea
Up-and-coming actress Chloe Lea portrays Young Estella with Shalom Brune-Franklin taking over later as the grown up version of the character.
Lea has appeared in The Dumping Ground as Viv, Scott & Bailey, Foundation, For Heidi and will be appearing in the forthcoming TV series Dune: The Sisterhood.
Magwitch – Johnny Harris
Johnny Harris plays escaped convict Magwitch and is known for This Is England ’90, The Salisbury Poisonings, Fortitude, Medici as well as starring as Franklin Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.
Compeyson – Trystan Gravelle
Trystan Gravelle portrays another prisoner Compeyson after parts in The Lord of the Rings: The Power of the Rings, A Discovery of Witches, Exile, Quiz, Baptiste and The Terror.
Joe Gargery – Owen McDonnell
Owen McDonnell is Pip’s brother-in-law Joe Gargery, who is an honest blacksmith.
McDonnell is most recognisable for his parts in Killing Eve, The Holiday, Silent Witness, The Bay and Three Families.
Sara Gargery – Hayley Squires
Hayley Squires takes on the part of Pip’s sadistic older sister and guardian Sara Gargery, who is happy to brutally beat her young sibling.
Squires counts credits in I, Daniel Blake, Adult Material, The Essex Serpent True Things, The Miniaturist and Collateral.
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Mr Pumblechook – Matt Berry
Matt Berry will be appearing as Mr Pumblechook, who makes Pip an offer he can’t refused.
Berry has appeared in the likes of Toast go London, The IT Crowd, What We Do in the Shadows and Year of the Rabbit, among other projects.
Young Biddy – Bronte Carmichael
Bronte Carmichael rounds off the cast as a young Biddy, who is friends with Pip and tries to help him impress Miss Havisham and Estella.
Carmichael has appeared in On Chesil Beach, Darkest Hour, Christopher Robin, Game of Thrones and Andor.
Great Expectations start airing on BBC One tonight at 9pm
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