Series synopsis
South Riding is a British drama television series that premiered on BBC One on February 20, 2011. It ended on March 6, 2011. It was created by Andrew Davies. It stars Anna Maxwell Martin, David Morrissey, Penelope Wilton and Peter Firth.
The lives and loves of a 1930s Yorkshire town explored in a passionate tale of politics in small places. South Riding charts the story of Sarah Burton's homecoming to Yorkshire in 1934 after twenty years teaching in London and the Empire. After a fiery interview with a conservative interview panel, outspoken Sarah takes up her first headmistress-ship at Kiplington High School for Girls, determined to demonstrate to her new pupils that the future is theirs for the taking.
Premise
The lives and loves of a 1930s Yorkshire town explored in a passionate tale of politics in small places. South Riding charts the story of Sarah Burton's homecoming to Yorkshire in 1934 after twenty years teaching in London and the Empire. After a fiery interview with a conservative interview panel, outspoken Sarah takes up her first headmistress-ship at Kiplington High School for Girls, determined to demonstrate to her new pupils that the future is theirs for the taking.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Anna Maxwell Martin as Sarah Burton
- David Morrissey as Robert Carne
- Penelope Wilton as Mrs Beddows
- Peter Firth as Anthony Snaith
- John Henshaw as Alfred Huggins
- Douglas Henshall as Joe Astell
- Katherine McGolpin as Midge Carne
- Lydia Wilson as Muriel Carne
Supporting cast
- Daniel West as Young Robert Carne
- Charlie May-Clark as Lydia
- Janine Mellor as Bessy Warbuckle
- Shaun Dooley as Mr Holly
- Jennifer Hennessy as Mrs Holly
- Brid Brennan as Mrs Sigglesthwaite
- Penny Layden as Mrs Huggins
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 3 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | February 20, 2011 | March 6, 2011 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Sarah arrives at the school, determined to transform both the teaching and the buildings. |
February 20, 2011 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Sarah’s ambitions for her school find their focus in Lydia Holly, the gifted oldest child of a labourer and his wife who live with six children in the nearby shanty town. |
February 27, 2011 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Sarah throws herself into work to take her mind off the pain of unrequited love. |
March 6, 2011 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 20, 2011 |
| Last aired | March 6, 2011 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 21:00:00 |