The classic tale of Charles Dicken's Great Expectations is being made into a BBC One drama and will be directed by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. The new series is expected to be a darker story than is usually pictured and comes only 12 years after the BBC's last adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic novel.
Great Expectations boasts an impressive cast including the award-winning Olivia Coleman and Welsh actor Trystan Gravelle. You can keep up to date with the latest TV and showbiz news by signing up to the newsletter here.
A coming-of-age story, Great Expectations follows Pip, an orphan who yearns for a greater lot in life, until a twist of fate and the evil machinations of the mysterious and eccentric Miss Havisham show him a dark world of possibilities. Under the great expectations placed upon him, Pip will have to work out the true cost of this new world and whether it will truly make him the man he wishes to be.
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Here is the cast list for Great Expectations and where you may have seen the stars before. Great Expectations will begin on Sunday, March 26 at 9pm on BBC One and you read everything you need to know about the series here.
Fionn Whitehead as Pip
Playing the main character of Great Expectations, Pip, is Fionn Whitehead. Pip is an orphan who wants more from life and through meeting the eccentric Miss Havisham he is shown the world he thinks he wants to be part of. However, as the story develops Pip is forced to question what he really wants.
Fionn is best known for playing the lead Tommy in the 2017 film Dunkirk and most recently played Branwell Bronte in the 2022 film Emily.
Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella
In the role of Estella, Miss Havisham's adopted daughter, is Shalom Brune-Franklin. Miss Havisham adopts Estella with the aim to raise a daughter who can break men's hearts after she was left at the altar.
Previously Shalom has starred in the BBC series Our Girl, the hit BBC drama Line of Duty and most recently the leading role of Luci/Victoria in The Tourist.
Olivia Coleman as Miss Havisham
Award-winning actress Olivia Coleman plays the heartbroken Miss Havisham who is determined to get her revenge on men. In this adaptation, Miss Havisham is an opium addict and her life stopped when she was abandoned at the altar.
Olivia has played many amazing roles including Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series The Crown, Queen Anne in the 2018 film The Favourite and DS Ellie Miller in the crime series Broadchurch.
Trystan Gravelle as Compeyson
Playing the main antagonist Compeyson is Welsh actor Trystan Gravelle. Compeyson abandoned Miss Havisham at the altar and was responsible for Magwitch's arrest. Trystan has recently starred in the Lord of the Rings series The Rings of Power and the ITV series Quiz.
Ashley Thomas as Mr Jaggers
Handling the affairs of Pip is the lawyer Mr Jaggers who will be played by Ashley Thomas. Ashely has starred in the TV series The Ipcress File, Them and Legacy.
Johnny Harris as Magwitch
Magwitch is a troubled man. On the surface, he's a convict, a rogue, a highwayman, a legend of the road, and he's lived a life of sin. When viewers meet him the repercussions of that are in full swing. Then there’s an awakening, and from there on he's someone who is trying to do the right thing in life.
Magwitch will be played by Johnny Harris who has starred in The Salisbury Poisonings, Without Sin and the 2011 film War Horse.
Hayley Squires as Mrs Sara Gargery
In the role of Pip's older sister Mrs Sara Gargery, who raised him, is Hayley Squires. Hayley has previously starred in Call the Midwife, the 2015 film A Royal Night Out and the 2021 film True Things.
Owen McDonnell as Mr Joe Gargery
Playing the kind and gentle village blacksmith Mr Joe Gargery, who is married to Sara, is Owen McDonnell. Joe has always treated Pip like a son and continues to look out for him throughout the story.
Owen is known for his role as Niko Polastri in Killing Eve and has also starred in the 2022 Netflix film Love & Gelato.
Laurie Ogden as Biddy
Close friend to Pip is Biddy who will be played by Laurie Ogden. Laurie has starred in the film The Colour Room and the TV series The Show Must Go Online.
Matt Berry as Mr Pumblechook
Mr Pumblechook is Joe's uncle and he escorts Pip to Miss Havisham's house for the first time. Matt is known for his role as Douglas Reynholm in The IT Crowd and he has also released nine studio albums as a musician.
Tom Sweet as young Pip
Playing a younger Pip is Tom Sweet. He has previously starred in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Enjoy and Gunpowder.
Rudi Dharmalingam as Wemmick
Friend to Pip Wemmick is also the bill collector for Mr Jaggers, a role he relishes. Rudi Dharmlingam will be playing Wemmick and he has starred in The Split, Our Girl and The Lazarus Project.
Chloe Lea as young Estella
Playing young Estella is Chloe Lea. She has starred in Scott & Bailey and The Dumping Ground Survival Files.
Bronte Carmichael as young Biddy
Bronte Carmichael is playing young Biddy. Bronte has starred in Star Wars: Andor, Christopher Robin and Game of Thrones.
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