Peaky Blinders has become one of the most praised series of the 21st century. Thanks to its protagonist, Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), its setting in early twentieth century Birmingham and its spectacular script, it has conquered everyone. However, its creator is not satisfied with this success, and is about to launch another great series that hopes to live up to it: Great Expectations.
Steven Knight, British writer behind series such as Taboo, See or SAS: Rogue Heroes, beyond his work in Peaky Blinders, has not stopped launching new proposals since he began his career in the nineties. Now, he has embarked on Great Expectations, a new story that will come to us through Disney+.
What is Great Expectations about?
Great Expectations is a six-part mini series that tells the story of Pip (Fionn Whitehead), an orphan who longs for much more in life until a twist of fate introduces him to the mysterious and eccentric Miss Havisham (Olivia Colman). He also meets her stepdaughter Estella (Shalom Brune-Franklin), and together with them he discovers a world that is dark but full of possibilities. With high hopes pinned on him, Pip will have to weigh whether this new world he has discovered can really make him the man he wants to be.
The series is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Charles Dickens. It is considered one of Dickens’ most important novels, and is considered one of the greatest classics in the history of literature. In the original book, the plot deals with the Christmas Eve of 1812, when the protagonist is only seven years old, until the winter of 1840.
From what has been seen, the protagonist of this adaptation will be a little older, but both the setting and the rest of the characters remain very faithful to the book. Of particular note is the role of Olivia Colman, who plays Havisham. Although we have only been able to see a small trailer, it looks like one of those roles that win Emmys quickly.
Great Expectations Trailer and Poster
A teaser trailer for Great Expectations is now available. It barely lasts less than twenty seconds, but in it we can see a masterfully characterized Olivia Colman and the protagonist watching her without knowing very well what is coming to him. The sentence she leaves him is already a clue of everything that is to come: “What a precious creature we have fished from the river”.
We also leave you with the official poster of the series, which looks like a work of art:
When is Great Expectations released?
Great Expectations is a co-production between FX and BBC, and therefore will premiere on the British network before reaching the rest of the world, as happens with other English fictions such as Sherlock or Doctor Who. The premiere is scheduled for this spring, although they have not yet revealed a specific date.
In the rest of the world we will be able to see the series through Disney+, which has the international distribution rights. As usually happens in this type of releases, it will most likely arrive a few months after its premiere, perhaps in the summer or fall. Rare would be a simultaneous premiere with the BBC, although nothing can be ruled out for the moment.
Cast of Great Expectations
Great Expectations has a cast that mixes big stars like Colman with more unknown actors and actresses. As is often the case with BBC adaptations, many of the performers come directly from the theater, as British stage culture is of great relevance.
Below is the complete list of confirmed actors:
- Fionn Whitehead – Pip
- Olivia Colman – Señorita Havisham
- Shalom Brune-Franklin – Estella
- Ashley Thomas (Top Boy, The Ipcress File)
- Johnny Harris (A Christmas Carol, The Salisbury Poisonings)
- Hayley Squires (Call the Midwife, The Essex Serpent)
- Owen McDonnell (Killing Eve, Death in Paradise)
- Laurie Ogden (The Color Room, The Show Must Go Online)
- Matt Berry (The IT Crowd, Snuff Box)
- Trystan Gravelle (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Baptiste)
- Rudi Dharmalingam (The Split, Our Girl)
Other adaptations of Great Expectations
To whet your appetite for the premiere, you can take a look at the other Great Expectations adaptations that have come out over the years. In total there have been five great films, each with an interesting take on the story.
2012. The last film of Dickens’ story was directed by Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and features an all-star cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Barlow, etc. Even so, it did not get much critical acclaim.
2011-2012. Almost at the same time as Newell’s film, the BBC had already worked with this story in a two-season series that featured actors such as Gillian Anderson and Douglas Booth.
1999. The BBC loves Great Expectations, and proves it by having worked on it before with a TV Movie directed by Julian Jarrold and starring Ioan Gruffudd (Titanic, Harrow, Fantastic 4). It passed for what it was, an adaptation with neither pain nor glory, although it has a higher score on Filmaffinity than the 2012 film.
1998. The most remembered adaptation of Great Expectations is probably this one directed by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert De Niro. However, it has a gimmick, as it is a contemporary adaptation of the original story, the synopsis of which is as follows:
“From the moment the young painter Finn sets his eyes on Estella, she becomes his inspiration and his obsession. Years later, thanks to a mysterious benefactor, the novice Finn is sent to New York, where he meets the cold and beautiful Estella”.
1946. Before this period in which Dickens’ story became fashionable, the much-admired director David Lean released his own film, starring John Mills and Alec Guinness. It is the highest-rated of all the Dickens adaptations, and is also considered a gem of classic cinema.
1917. But Dickens’ story is so famous that it did not take long for the cinema to adapt it. The first film dates from 1917, is in black and white, silent and, even so, a milestone of its time. It is only suitable for very big fans, although it is worth a look.
