David Copperfield (1986 TV serial)

David Copperfield
Cover of the DVD
Genre	Historical drama
Based on	David Copperfield
Directed by	Barry Letts
Country of origin	UK
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	10 (as broadcast) 5 (DVD re-edit)
Release
Original network	BBC
Original release	1986 (1986) – 1987 (1987)
External links
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

David Copperfield is a 10 episode BBC serial broadcast in 1986 and 1987 and based on the 1850 novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. The series was written by James Andrew Hall and directed by Barry Letts. It was produced by Terrance Dicks.

The adaptation follows the story of David Copperfield as he grows up under the care of the cruel Murdstones after the death of his mother, escapes to the care of his aunt Betsey Trotwood and later travels to London where he meets the gentle Micawbers and the scheming Uriah Heep, and falls in love with and marries the spoilt Dora Spenlow.

The series was nominated for a BAFTA in the Children's Programme (Entertainment/Drama) 1986 category.

Scenes from the series were filmed at Holme-next-the-Sea in Norfolk.

The English DVD release with the original ten episode format has become almost impossible to find, with only the Dutch import that edited the episodes together to make it only five parts being available.

Plot

For a detailed plot, see David Copperfield (novel).

Cast

• Colin Hurley -- David Copperfield
• Brenda Bruce -- Betsey Trotwood
• Simon Callow -- Wilkins Micawber
• Jeremy Brudenell -- James Steerforth
• Francesca Hall -- Dora Spenlow/Clara Copperfield
• Jenny McCracken—Clara Peggotty
• Ronald Herdman—Barkis
• Hilary Mason—Mrs. Gummidge
• Natalie Ogle -- Agnes Wickfield
• Owen Teale—Ham Peggotty
• Stephen Thorne—Daniel Peggotty
• Thorley Walters -- Mr. Dick
• Paul Brightwell -- Uriah Heep
• Oliver Cotton -- Edward Murdstone
• Sandra Payne—Emma Micawber
• Irene Richard—Julia Mills
• Neal Swettenham—Thomas Traddles
• Fanny Carby—Mrs. Crupp
• Sarah Crowden—Jane Murdstone
• David Dexter—Young David
• Valerie Gogan—Emily
• Nolan Hemmings—Young David
• Terence Lodge—Francis Spenlow
• Nyree Dawn Porter—Mrs. Steerforth
• John Baker—Tiffey
• Nicholas Bond-Owen—1st Boy
• Chris Chandler—2nd Boy
• Dylan Dolan—Young Traddles
• Leon Eagles—Mr. Sharp
• Alison Fiske—Rosa Dartle
• Jonathan Lacey—Demple
• Artro Morris—Mr. Wickfield
• Reggie Oliver—Mr. Mell
• John Savident—Mr. Creakle
• Ann Way—Mrs. Heep

External links

• David Copperfield at IMDb
• David Copperfield on the British Film Institute website
• David Copperfield on the PBS 'Masterpiece Theatre' website