Series synopsis
Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a British drama television series that premiered on BBC One on September 14, 2008. It ended on October 5, 2008. It stars Gemma Arterton, Eddie Redmayne, Hans Matheson and Ruth Jones.
The story of Tess Durbeyfield, a low-born country girl whose family find they have noble connections.
Premise
The story of Tess Durbeyfield, a low-born country girl whose family find they have noble connections.
Premise: A thrilling story of seduction, love and betrayal.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Gemma Arterton as Tess Durbeyfield
- Eddie Redmayne as Angel Clare
- Hans Matheson as Alec D'Urberville
- Ruth Jones as Joan Durbeyfield
- Christopher Fairbank as Groby
- Ian Puleston-Davies as John Durbeyfield
- Jo Woodcock as Liza-Lu Durbeyfield
- Hugh Skinner as Felix Clare
Guest cast
- Donald Sumpter as Parson Tringham
- Anna Massey as Mrs D'Urberville
- Joel Rowbottom as Abraham Durbeyfield
- Steven Robertson as Cuthbert Clare
- Laura Elphinstone as Car Darch
- Sara Gregory as Nancy Darch
- Christine Bottomley as Kate
- Emma Stansfield as Mary
- Merelina Kendall as Miss Evans
- Sarah Counsell as Drunken Woman
- Ewan Watson as Man with Gun
- Trevor Cooper as Mr Crick
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 4 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | September 14, 2008 | October 5, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Part One On a fine May afternoon, the beautiful and innocent Tess Durbeyfield spies a handsome young stranger at a village dance, but he ignores her. Forced by family hardship to seek support from her 'relatives' the D'Urbervilles, apparently an ancient lineage, she falls under the spell of her manipulative 'cousin' Alec - with shocking and lasting consequences. |
September 14, 2008 |
| 2 |
Part Two Tragedy strikes for Tess, after which she leaves home to work in a dairy, where she's so taken by parson's son and wistful harpist Angel Clare that she's soon taking surreptitious peeks at his bare backside. It's not long before they're strolling in the bluebells as Angel falls headfirst for Tess's charms. But will his dad approve of Angel's devotion when a more suitable match awaits him? As her life starts to unravel, Tess shows signs of having some gumption, but she's still, to modern eyes, an infuriating drip. Even so, it all looks delightful, a bit like a promotional video for the verdant joys of Thomas Hardy Country. |
September 21, 2008 |
| 3 |
Part Three Third in the four-part drama series based on the novel by Thomas Hardy. Tess agrees to marry Angel, to his great joy. When he confesses to a dishonourable event in his past, Tess feels that she can at last tell him about her relationship with Alec D'Urberville and its consequences. |
September 28, 2008 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 14, 2008 |
| Last aired | October 5, 2008 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 21:00:00 |