It boasts a smashing 100% rating (Image: BBC)
A period drama hailed as ‘terrific binge fare’ has enthralled audiences, and the brilliant news is that it can be watched completely free on BBC iPlayer
The 2008 British miniseries is based on a Charles Dickens novel and has been celebrated as the “best Dickens adaptation of all-time” by viewers
Little Dorrit has garnered outstanding reviews ever since it first aired on BBC One and BBC HD in 2008. Co-directed by Adam Smith, Dearbhla Walsh, and Diarmuid Lawrence, the compelling period drama boasts a screenplay crafted by Andrew Davies, and has been adapted from Charles Dickens’ novel of the same name, which was released in serial form between 1855 and 1857
A joint production between BBC and WGBH Boston, Little Dorrit was screened in the United States across five episodes as part of PBS’s Masterpiece series
The programme’s official synopsis states: “The Dorrits are a family whose life revolves around the Marshalsea, a debtor’s prison. Amy Dorrit’s kind nature brings the family into contact with a wide swath of English society, from the poorest to the richest, and back again.”
The show stars British favourite Claire Foy in the lead (Image: BBC)
Critical acclaim came readily to Little Dorrit, with the series clinching seven Emmy Awards, including the coveted Outstanding Miniseries top honour
Showcasing a remarkable Claire Foy in the titular role, Matthew Macfadyen, Tom Courtenay, Judy Parfitt, Andy Serkis, Eddie Marsan, and Alun Armstrong round out the show’s exceptional supporting cast. During a conversation with Channel 4 in 2011
Claire disclosed how Little Dorrit would always remain amongst her most cherished projects: “Little Dorrit will always be so important to me – it was my first big job, it was a character I got to play for six months. So that and this [The Promise], for different reasons, have to come out on top.”
The enthralling period drama was filmed on location at 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 portrayed Marshalsea Prison throughout the series
The series won seven Primetime Emmy Awards including for Outstanding Miniseries (Image: BBC)
Boasting an impressive 100% rating from both critics and audiences on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Little Dorrit can be regarded as a triumph in every sense, yet it continues to be an undervalued gem within the period drama genre
One critic said: “With a stellar cast and a fine adaptation, Little Dorrit is absorbing and entertaining.”
Another noted: “Little Dorrit is the closest TV has to a sure thing: a relatively short-term investment with a satisfyingly large payoff.”
While a third sad=id it was “one of the best dramas of the year”
Audiences have been equally enchanted by the series, with one viewer posting: “absolutely wonderful! beautiful scripts, enchanting acting and mesmirizing drama! the best of the Dickens!” [sic]
An enthusiastic IMDB user review of the programme said: “One of the very best Dickens adaptations, even British period novel adaptations, ever
“I have seen many many adaptations of Dickens and other novels and period dramas. Little Dorrit is not one of Dickens’ most known novels, however, this as it turns out is one of the best adaptations of all time.”
Another added: “This is yet another outstanding Dickens-adaptation by the BBC. It makes you wonder how they do it: making everything fall so exactly in its place!”
The brilliant period drama is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer (Image: BBC)
“The casting is perfect, settings and costumes are flawless, the direction is impressive and the editing gives it all a wonderful pace, helped by cutting it into short pieces of half an hour, so that you are kept on your toes all of the time, simply craving for the next episode.”
One viewer drew parallels between the show and the original novel, coming away thoroughly delighted: “It is hard to watch Little Dorrit without a stupid grin on my face. I just think it is perfect. The characters are all just as you imagined when reading the novel. From The leads in Clare Foy and Matthew To the vast array of supporting characters. It is like the book has come to life itself. Ruth Jones is a stand out. Just brilliant.”
Little Dorrit is available to stream free on BBC iPlayer
