What’s Great Expectations about?

Based on Dickens’ famous novel of the same name, Great Expectations tells the Victorian coming-of-age story of orphan Pip and his journey transcending his low social class.

The period drama is true to the original story. After Pip meets the mysterious and gothic Miss Havisham, he is catapulted into a high-society London where his life transforms. A tale of love, loyalty and wealth, the story follows Pip from childhood through to his adult years.

Who’s in it?

Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk) plays Pip, whilst Olivia Coleman (Fleabag) seizes another period drama role as the eccentric Miss Havisham. Shalom Brune-Franklin (The Tourist) will play her adopted daughter Estella.

Alongside this trio comes many more stars. Tom Sweet (The Nutcracker and the Four Realms) will play young Pip, Ashley Thomas (Top Boy) will play Jaggers, and Hayley Squires (Call the Midwife) will feature as Sara. Matt Berry (IT Crowd) stars as Mr. Pumblechuck, Johnny Harris (A Christmas Carol) plays Magwitch and Owen McDonell (Killing Eve) comes in as Joe. Trystan Gravelle (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) and Rudi Dharmalingam (The Split) also feature.

Who created the show?

Great Expectations is an FX production created in collaboration with the BBC. The series is written and executive produced by Steven Knight – creator of Peaky Blinders and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?.

Great Expectations will be Knight’s second Dickens TV adaption after the A Christmas Carol aired on BBC One in 2019.

The show is also produced by Tom Hardy (A Christmas Carol), Ridley Scott (Blade Runner), Dean Baker (Taboo), David W. Zucker (The Good Fight), Kate Crowe (Misfits) and Tommy Bulfin (Peaky Blinders). The show will be directed Brady Hood (Top Boy) and Samira Radsi (Holiday Secrets).

Where and when can I watch Great Expectations?

The latest incarnation of Dickens’ novel premieres on Sunday 26 March on BBC One. The six-part series will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Hulu in the US.