FX and The BBC to Adapt Charles Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations’ into Limited Series
By Allyson Vannatta, Senior Writer
The BBC and FX are uniting once again to produce an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations.
Steven Knight (PEAKY BLINDERS) will write and executive produce the limited series, which will consist of six parts.
Dickens’ Great Expectations is a coming-of-age story about an orphan nicknamed Pip. It was published as a novel after Dickens released it in a “series of weekly chapters” in December 1860.
The novel has had many previous adaptations. The best so far was a (1946) movie directed by the great David Lean and starring John Mills, Alec Guinness and other great actors. Others were the 1934 version, a 2012 movie by Mike Newell and a BBC/PBS series in 2011.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS will be the second Dickens adaptation by the two networks with Knight attached.
They first collaborated on the three-part miniseries, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, which aired in December on FX.
Ridley Scott, Tom Hardy, Dean Baker, David W Zucker, Mona Qureshi, and Kate Crowe will also executive produce the new adaptation.
“FX is honored to begin the next chapter of collaboration with Steven Knight, Ridley Scott, Tom Hardy, and their teams as they reunite for this modern adaption of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations,” said FX Entertainment president Eric Schrier.
“Their inaugural Dickens adaptation, A Christmas Carol, was a great success both creatively and commercially. We want to thank our partners at the BBC, Scott Free and Hardy Son & Baker for their support and can’t wait to get to work on this project,” Schrier continued.
Charlotte Moore, director of BBC content, added, “Great Expectations is the second in Steven Knight’s series of Dickens adaptations and the perfect choice given its timely and personal narrative. His original take on one of Britain’s most loved classics will make it must-see drama for a whole new generation.”
Deadline reports that Knight is an “Avowed Dickens fan.”
Knight says, “Adapting Dickens’ work is a delight. I chose Great Expectations as the next work to bring to the screen not just because of the timeless characters, but also because of the very timely story. A story of class mobility and class intransigence, told through an intensely emotional and personal first person narrative. As the son of a Blacksmith myself, Pip’s journey from the forge into society is a very special one to me.”
MOVIEGUIDE® recommends reading the novel before watching the movie, and perhaps seeing the earlier versions.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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