''David Copperfield'' is a 10 episode BBC serial broadcast in 1986 and 1987 and based on the 1850 novel ''

David Copperfield ''David Copperfield'' Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work, see is a novel in the bildungsroman genre by Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from inf ...

'' by

Charles Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...

. The series was written by James Andrew Hall and directed by

Barry Letts Barry Leopold Letts (26 March 1925 – 9 October 2009) was an English actor, television director, writer and producer, best known for being the producer of ''Doctor Who'' from 1969 to 1974. Born in Leicester, he worked as an actor in theatre, ...

. It was produced by

Terrance Dicks Terrance William Dicks (14 April 1935 – 29 August 2019) was an English author and television screenwriter, script editor and producer. In television, he had a long association with the BBC science-fiction series ''Doctor Who'', working as a ...

. The adaptation follows the story of David Copperfield as he grows up under the care of the cruel Murdstones after the death of his mother, escapes to the care of his aunt Betsey Trotwood and later travels to London where he meets the gentle Micawbers and the scheming Uriah Heep, and falls in love with and marries the spoilt Dora Spenlow. The series was nominated for a BAFTA in the Children's Programme (Entertainment/Drama) 1986 category. Scenes from the series were filmed at

Holme-next-the-Sea Holme-next-the-Sea is a small village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated on the north Norfolk coast some 5 km north-east of the seaside resort of Hunstanton, 30 km north of the town of King's Lynn an ...

Norfolk Norfolk () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in East Anglia in England. It borders Lincolnshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the west and south-west, and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the Nort ...

.''David Copperfield'' on the Holme-next-the-sea website
/ref> The English DVD release with the original ten episode format has become almost impossible to find, with only the Dutch import that edited the episodes together to make it only five parts being available.

Plot

For a detailed plot, see ''

David Copperfield (novel) ''David Copperfield'' Dickens invented over 14 variations of the title for this work, see is a novel in the bildungsroman genre by Charles Dickens, narrated by the eponymous David Copperfield, detailing his adventures in his journey from i ...

''.

Cast

* Colin Hurley --

* Brenda Bruce --

Betsey Trotwood Betsey Trotwood is a fictional character from Charles Dickens' 1850 novel ''David Copperfield''. Role in novel Betsey Trotwood is David Copperfield's great-aunt on his father's side, and has an unfavourable view of men and boys, having been ill-us ...

Simon Callow Simon Phillip Hugh Callow (born 15 June 1949) is an English film, television and voice actor, director, narrator and writer. He was twice nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his roles in '' A Room with a View'' (1 ...

Wilkins Micawber Wilkins Micawber is a clerk in Charles Dickens's 1850 novel ''David Copperfield''. He is traditionally identified with the optimistic belief that "something will turn up." His role in the story Micawber was incarcerated in debtors' prison (the ...

* Jeremy Brudenell --

James Steerforth James Steerforth is a character in the 1850 novel ''David Copperfield'' by Charles Dickens. He is a handsome young man noted for his wit and romantic charm. Though he is well liked by his friends, he proves himself to be condescending and lacking ...

* Francesca Hall --

Dora Spenlow Dora Spenlow is a character in the 1850 novel ''David Copperfield'' by Charles Dickens. She is portrayed as beautiful yet childish. David, who is employed by her father, the lawyer Mr Spenlow, falls in love with Dora at first sight and marries her ...

/Clara Copperfield * Jenny McCracken—Clara Peggotty * Ronald Herdman—Barkis * Hilary Mason—Mrs. Gummidge * Natalie Ogle --

Agnes Wickfield Agnes Wickfield is a character of ''David Copperfield'', the 1850 novel by Charles Dickens. She is a friend and confidante of David (the narrator and protagonist of this semi-autobiography) since his childhood and at the end of the novel, his secon ...

* Owen Teale—Ham Peggotty * Stephen Thorne—Daniel Peggotty *

Thorley Walters Thorley Swinstead Walters (12 May 1913 – 6 July 1991) was an English character actor. He is probably best remembered for his comedy film roles such as in '' Two-Way Stretch'' and ''Carlton-Browne of the FO''. Early life Walters was born in T ...

-- Mr. Dick *

Paul Brightwell Paul Brightwell is an English actor and director. He has acted in many different plays, films and TV shows since the late 1980s. Theatre direction includes the British premieres of Heiner Muller's ''Hamletmachine'' at the Gate Notting Hill, and W ...

Uriah Heep Uriah Heep may refer to: * Uriah Heep (character), a character in the Charles Dickens novel ''David Copperfield'' *Uriah Heep (band), a British rock band active since 1969 *''Uriah Heep Live ''Uriah Heep Live'' is a double live album by Britis ...

Oliver Cotton Oliver Charles Cotton (born 20 June 1944) is an English actor, comedian and playwright, known for his prolific work on stage, TV and film. He remains best known for his role as Cesare Borgia in the BBC's 1981 drama series '' The Borgias''. Early ...

-- Edward Murdstone * Sandra Payne—Emma Micawber * Irene Richard—Julia Mills * Neal Swettenham—Thomas Traddles * Fanny Carby—Mrs. Crupp * Sarah Crowden—Jane Murdstone * David Dexter—Young David *

Valerie Gogan Valerie Gogan (born

—Emily * Nolan Hemmings—Young David * Terence Lodge—Francis Spenlow * Nyree Dawn Porter—Mrs. Steerforth * John Baker—Tiffey * Nicholas Bond-Owen—1st Boy * Chris Chandler—2nd Boy * Dylan Dolan—Young Traddles * Leon Eagles—Mr. Sharp * Alison Fiske—Rosa Dartle * Jonathan Lacey—Demple * Artro Morris—Mr. Wickfield * Reggie Oliver—Mr. Mell * John Savident—Mr. Creakle *

Ann Way Ann Way (14 November 1915 – 13 March 1993) was an English film and television character actress. Born in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, she began her career in repertory in Birmingham in the 1950s moving from there to the Dundee Rep. Her petite build ...

—Mrs. Heep

References

External links

*
''David Copperfield''
on the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

website
''David Copperfield''
on the

PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of ed ...

'Masterpiece Theatre' website {{David Copperfield BBC television dramas Television series set in the 1850s 1986 British television series debuts 1987 British television series endings 1980s British drama television series Television shows based on David Copperfield