''Gentleman Jack'' is a

historical History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the History of writing#Inventions of writing, invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbr ...

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has b ...

television series created by

Sally Wainwright Sally Anne Wainwright (born 1963) is an English television writer, producer, and director from Yorkshire. Early in her career, Wainwright worked as a playwright, and as a scriptwriter on the long-running radio serial drama ''The Archers''. In t ...

. Set in the 1830s in

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...

, it stars Suranne Jones as landowner and industrialist

Anne Lister Anne Lister (3 April 1791 – 22 September 1840) was an English diarist, famous for revelations for which she was dubbed "the first modern lesbian". Lister was from a minor landowning family at Shibden in Calderdale, West Riding of Yorkshir ...

. The series is based on the collected diaries of Lister, which contain over four million words and are written largely in secret code, documenting a lifetime of lesbian relationships. ''Gentleman Jack'' is a

BBC One BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's flagship network and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television bulletins, ...

and HBO co-production. The series premiered on 22 April 2019 in the United States, and on 19 May 2019 in the United Kingdom. It was renewed by the BBC on 23 May 2019 for a second series, which was shown on BBC One from 10 April to 29 May 2022 and on HBO from 25 April to 13 June 2022. In July 2022, co-production company HBO said it would not be proceeding with a third series. The BBC wants to continue with the programme, but needs to find a production partner to continue with it.

Overview

In 1832, Miss Anne Lister leaves

Hastings Hastings () is a large seaside town and borough in East Sussex on the south coast of England, east to the county town of Lewes and south east of London. The town gives its name to the Battle of Hastings, which took place to the north-west ...

brokenhearted and heads to the lush landscape of

Halifax, West Yorkshire Halifax () is a minster and market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It is the commercial, cultural and administrative centre of the borough, and the headquarters of Calderdale Council. In the 15th cen ...

, England to restore her uncle's estate that she has inherited. While restoring the estate she finds that the family land has a coal mine and that it is being stolen by two brothers. This unusual lady landowner develops a potentially dangerous romance with another woman, which she records in a cryptic diary.

Cast and characters

Main

* Suranne Jones as

* Sophie Rundle as Ann Walker, Anne Lister's fiancée, and later, wife. * Joe Armstrong as Samuel Washington, land steward for both Ann Walker and Anne Lister *

Amelia Bullmore Amelia Mary Bullmore (born 31 January 1964) is an English actress, screenwriter and playwright. She is known for her roles in ''Coronation Street'' (1990–1992), ''I'm Alan Partridge'' (2002), '' Ashes to Ashes'' (2008–2009), '' Twenty Twelve ...

as Eliza Priestley, wife of William Priestley *

Rosie Cavaliero Rosalind Cecilia Cavaliero (born 27 November 1967) is a Brazilian-born English actress. She has appeared in numerous television roles. Filmography Theatre work * ''Dracula'' at the Everyman, Cheltenham – Florrie (February 1995) * ''Airswi ...

as Elizabeth Cordingley, cook-housekeeper for the Listers and former lady's maid to Anne Lister * Gemma Whelan as Marian Lister, Anne Lister's sister *

Gemma Jones Jennifer "Gemma" Jones (born 4 December 1942) is an English actress. Appearing on both stage and screen, her film appearances include ''Sense and Sensibility (film), Sense and Sensibility'' (1995), the Bridget Jones (film series), ''Bridget Jo ...

as Aunt Anne Lister *

Timothy West Timothy Lancaster West, CBE (born 20 October 1934) is an English actor and presenter. He has appeared frequently on both stage and television, including stints in both ''Coronation Street'' (as Eric Babbage) and ''EastEnders'' (as Stan Carte ...

as Capt. Jeremy Lister, Anne Lister's father * Tom Lewis as Thomas Sowden, one of Anne Lister's tenants

Recurring

Stephanie Cole Patricia Stephanie Cole (born 5 October 1941) is an English stage, television, radio and film actress, known for high-profile roles in shows such as '' Tenko'' (1981–1985), ''Open All Hours'' (1982–1985), ''A Bit of a Do'' (1989), '' Waiti ...

as Aunt Ann Walker *

George Costigan George J. Costigan (born 8 August 1947) is an English actor who is best known for portraying Bob in the 1987 film ''Rita, Sue and Bob Too'' and for roles in TV series such as '' Happy Valley'' and '' So Haunt Me''. Early life Born in Portsmouth ...

as James Holt, who works for Anne Lister and helps with managing her coal business *

Peter Davison Peter Malcolm Gordon Moffett (born 13 April 1951), known professionally as Peter Davison, is an English actor with many credits in television dramas and sitcoms. He made his television acting debut in 1975 and became famous in 1978 as Tristan ...

William Priestley William Priestley may refer to: * William Priestley (St Mawes MP) (c.1594–1664), lawyer and member of the English House of Commons. * William Priestley (Louisiana planter) (1771–1838), second son of Dr Joseph Priestley * William Priestley (woo ...

, Ann Walker's cousin and one of the trustees of her entailed estate * Shaun Dooley as Jeremiah Rawson, Ann Walker's cousin and Christopher Rawson's brother *

Vincent Franklin Vincent Warren Franklin (born 3 November 1966) is an English actor from Haworth, Keighley, Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. He is best known for his roles in comedy television programmes. He has appeared in a number of feature films including ...

as Christopher Rawson, a magistrate and Ann Walker's cousin * Lydia Leonard as Marianna Lawton, Anne Lister's ex-lover with whom she occasionally sleeps * Katherine Kelly as Elizabeth Sutherland, Ann Walker's sister who lives in Scotland with her husband and children * Derek Riddell as Elizabeth's husband, Captain Sutherland * Amy James-Kelly as Suzannah Washington, eldest daughter of Samuel Washington * Thomas Howes as John Booth,

head gardener A head gardener is an individual who manages all horticultural aspects of a property or garden, including staff and volunteers. The properties they manage include historic gardens and private estates, as well as amenity horticulture teams, for ex ...

for the Listers * Albane Courtois as Eugénie Pierre, Anne Lister's femme de chambre or French lady's maid * Ben Hunter as Joseph Booth, the Listers' manservant and brother of John Booth *

Daniel Weyman Daniel Weyman (born 1977) is an English actor known for his role as the Stranger in '' The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power''. Theatre He has appeared in stage productions such as Samuel West's Sheffield Crucible production of ''As You ...

as Dr Kenny, the local doctor for Ann Walker, Aunt Anne Lister, Capt. Jeremy Lister and Henry Hardcastle * John Hollingworth as Mr Abbott, Marian Lister's suitor * Saul Marron as James Mackenzie, Ann Walker's manservant

Guest

Anthony Flanagan Anthony Flanagan (born 11 April 1972) is an English actor most widely known for his portrayal of policeman Tony in Channel 4's comedy-drama series '' Shameless''. Biography Flanagan was born in Stockport, Cheshire. At school he was called Anth ...

as Samuel Sowden, Thomas Sowden's alcoholic and violent father, and as Ben Sowden, Samuel Sowden's brother and Thomas's uncle *

Rupert Vansittart Rupert Nicholas Vansittart (born 10 February 1958) is an English character actor. He has appeared in a variety of roles in film, television, stage and radio, often playing comic characters. He is best known for his role as Lord Ashfordly in the ...

as Charles Lawton, Marianna Lawton's husband *

Sylvia Syms Sylvia May Laura Syms (born 6 January 1934) is an English actress, best known for her roles in the films ''Woman in a Dressing Gown'' (1957), ''Ice Cold in Alex'' (1958), ''No Trees in the Street'' (1959), ''Victim'' (1961), and ''The Tamari ...

as Mrs. Rawson, mother of Christopher Rawson and Jeremiah Rawson *

Brendan Patricks Brendan Patricks (born 3 December 1980) is a British actor and magician from Reading, England. He is well known for playing the role of Evelyn Napier in Downton Abbey. Patricks was born in Reading to an Irish father and English mother, and at ...

as Reverend Thomas Ainsworth, a man who raped Ann Walker and later proposes to her *

Jodhi May Jodhi Tania May (''née'' Hakim-Edwards; 8 May 1975) is a British actress. She remains the youngest recipient of the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, for ''A World Apart'' (1988). Her other film appearances include ''The Last ...

as Vere Hobart, later Lady Vere Cameron, Anne Lister's former traveling companion and unrequited love *

Sofie Gråbøl Sofie Gråbøl (; born 30 July 1968) is a Danish actress. She has starred in a number of films, with her breakthrough role in the 1986 Danish film '' Early Spring'', directed by Astrid Henning-Jensen, playing the lead role in the film version of ...

as Queen Marie of Denmark * Stephanie Hyam as Sophie Ferrall * Julie Agnete Vang as Countess (Emily) Blücher, Sophie's elder sister *

Joanna Scanlan Joanna Marion Scanlan (born 27 October 1961) is a British actress. On television, she is known for her roles in British series such as ''The Thick of It'' (2005–2012), '' Getting On'' (2009–2012), ''Puppy Love'' (2014), and ''No Offence'' ( ...

as Anne Lister's former lover, Isabella "Tib" Norcliffe

Episodes

Series 1 (2019)

Series 2 (2022)

Background and production

In November 2016, screenwriter

was awarded a £30,000 screenwriting fellowship grant from the charitable organisation the

Wellcome Trust The Wellcome Trust is a charitable foundation focused on health research based in London, in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1936 with legacies from the pharmaceutical magnate Henry Wellcome (founder of one of the predecessors of Glaxo ...

, in partnership with

Film4 Film4 is a British free-to-air television network owned by Channel Four Television Corporation launched on 1 November 1998, devoted to broadcasting films. While its standard-definition channel is available on Freeview and Freesat platforms ...

and 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, ...

. Wainwright disclosed to the media that she was writing a drama series about the landowner, industrialist, and intellectual Anne Lister and would use the grant to further her research. In March 2017, it was announced that

and American network HBO had commissioned the eight-part series, provisionally titled "Shibden Hall", after Lister's ancestral home of the same name. Wainwright was announced as the series' director, and executive producer together with

Piers Wenger Piers Wenger is a British television executive who serves as controller of BBC drama commissioning. Early life Wenger was born Piers John Wenger in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England on 29 June 1972. Career Wenger was appointed as controll ...

and Faith Penhale. A native of Yorkshire, Wainwright had grown up in the environs of Shibden Hall and had had ambitions to write a drama based on Anne Lister for over 20 years. She described Lister as "a gift to a dramatist" and "one of the most exuberant, thrilling and brilliant women in British history". In July 2017, the series was renamed ''Gentleman Jack'' and Suranne Jones was announced in the

protagonist A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a st ...

role of Lister. Wainwright, who had previously worked with Jones in '' Scott & Bailey'' and ''

Unforgiven ''Unforgiven'' is a 1992 American Revisionist Western film starring, directed, and produced by Clint Eastwood, and written by David Webb Peoples. The film tells the story of William Munny, an aging outlaw and killer who takes on one more job, ...

'', deemed her capable of embodying the "boldness, subtlety, energy and humour" required to depict Lister. In April 2018, Sophie Rundle joined the production as Ann Walker, Lister's intended spouse. In November 2018, Katherine Kelly was cast in the role of Ann Walker's sister, Elizabeth Sutherland,

as Queen Marie of Denmark and Tom Lewis as Thomas Sowden. HBO cancelled the programme on 7 July 2022, after two series.

Music

The theme music was composed by

Murray Gold Murray Jonathan Gold (born 28 February 1969) is an English composer for stage, film, and television and a dramatist for both theatre and radio. He is best known as the musical director and composer of the music for ''Doctor Who'' from 2005, unti ...

. The series' ending theme song is "Gentleman Jack", written and performed by Yorkshire folk music duo

O'Hooley & Tidow O'Hooley & Tidow are an English folk music duo from Yorkshire. Singer-songwriter Heidi Tidow (pronounced ''Tee-doe'' or ''Tee-dov'') performs and records with her wife, singer-songwriter and pianist Belinda O'Hooley, who was formerly a member ...

and first released in 2012.

Filming

Location shooting took place in Yorkshire and surrounding areas, including Shibden Hall as Anne Lister's home and

Sutton Park, Yorkshire Sutton Park is an 18th-century Georgian English country house situated on the edge of the village of Sutton-on-the-Forest, North Yorkshire. It is approximately 10 miles north of York, in the ancient Forest of Galtres. The house, a Grade I listed ...

as Ann Walker's home. The final scenes of series one were shot in Goodramgate and

Precentor's Court Precentor's Court is an historic street in the English city of York. Although certainly in existence by 1313,''York: The Making of a City 1068–1350'', Sarah Rees Jones (2013), p. 146 the street does not appear on a map until 1610, and it is n ...

in York. Three other locations in York –

Duncombe Place Duncombe Place is a street in the city centre of York, in England. History The street was first mentioned in 1346 as Lop Lane, and it later became known as Little Blake Street. Initially a very narrow street, the eastern entrance to St Leonard ...

Minster Yard Minster Yard is a street in the city centre of York, England. It runs along the southern, eastern and northeastern sides of York Minster, for which it is named. History The street may have originated as the courtyard of the headquarters buildi ...

and Holy Trinity Church – were used earlier in the series. Production on series two, delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed in October 2020. It then shut down again and resumed filming in the summer of 2021. Suranne Jones confirmed that filming for the second series had concluded on 4 October 2021. Historically there were a number of coal mining pits in the Shibden Valley in Lister's time; one still standing, located close to Bare Head Tunnel, was used for filming in episode six.

Release

BBC One released a teaser trailer for series one on 8 March 2019, followed by the first official trailer on 18 March 2019. The first trailer from HBO was also released on 18 March 2019.

Broadcast

''Gentleman Jack'' premiered first in the US on 22 April 2019; followed by the UK premiere on 19 May 2019. The first series premiered in Australia on

Fox Showcase Fox Showcase (formerly known as Showcase) is an Australian premium drama cable and satellite television channel. It was initially part of the Showtime Australia channels and was managed by PMP chief executive officer Peter Rose. In 2007 Rose ...

on 19 May 2019.

Reception

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...

'' described ''Gentleman Jack'' as a "funny, smart, and touching story" which at times has the main character talk to the camera to explain her inner thoughts, allowing aspects of Lister's diary to be used. ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers '' The Observer'' and '' The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the ...

s review said "Suranne Jones rocks Halifax as the first modern lesbian...Anne Lister's diary ecomesa thrilling coal-town romp that flirts with parody, so maybe it's Queer Brontë." ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' pointed up the drama's uniqueness: "Wainwright makes an intriguing choice that sets up a decidedly adult romance about devotion, trust and partnership that is rare for TV in general, let alone for lesbian characters in a period piece."At the time of cancellation, it was noted that the second season registered amongst HBO's lowest-rated current original series. After it was known that the programme would be discontinued after the second series, ''The Guardian'' published reactions by many people who described how it had powerfully affected their lives for the good.

Awards and nominations

Book

The series

tie-in A tie-in work is a work of fiction or other product based on a media property such as a film, video game, television series, board game, web site, role-playing game or literary property. Tie-ins are authorized by the owners of the original prop ...

paperback book was released on 25 April 2019 in the United Kingdom by

BBC Books BBC Books (also formerly known as BBC Publishing) is an imprint majority-owned and managed by Penguin Random House through its Ebury Publishing division. The minority shareholder is BBC Studios, the commercial subsidiary of the British Broadcasti ...

under the title ''Gentleman Jack: The Real Anne Lister'', and on 4 June 2019 in the United States by

Penguin Random House Penguin Random House LLC is an Anglo-American multinational conglomerate publishing company formed on July 1, 2013, from the merger of Penguin Group and Random House. On April 2, 2020, Bertelsmann announced the completion of its purchase ...

as ''Gentleman Jack: The Diaries of Anne Lister''. The book was written by Anne Choma, the historical adviser for the series.

Notes

References

External links