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{{more citations needed|date=November 2017}}
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{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| name = Little Dorrit
| image = LITTLE-DORRIT.BBC.DVD.jpg
| image = LITTLE-DORRIT.BBC.DVD.jpg
| caption = Cover of the BBC DVD release
| caption = Cover of the BBC DVD release
| alt_name =
| alt_name =
| genre = [[Costume drama|Period drama]]
| genre = [[Costume drama|Period drama]]
| writer = [[Andrew Davies (writer)|Andrew Davies]]
| writer = [[Andrew Davies (writer)|Andrew Davies]]
| based_on = ''[[Little Dorrit]]''<br /> by [[Charles Dickens]]
| director = [[Adam Smith (director)|Adam Smith]] <small>(6 episodes)</small><br>[[Dearbhla Walsh]] <small>(5 episodes)</small><br>[[Diarmuid Lawrence]] <small>(3 episodes)</small>
| based_on = ''[[Little Dorrit]]''<br /> by [[Charles Dickens]]
| creative_director =
| director = Adam Smith <small>(6 episodes)</small><br>[[Dearbhla Walsh]] <small>(5 episodes)</small><br>[[Diarmuid Lawrence]] <small>(3 episodes)</small>
| starring = [[Claire Foy]]<br>[[Matthew Macfadyen]]<br>[[Tom Courtenay]]<br>[[Judy Parfitt]]
| creative_director =
| composer = [[John Lunn]]
| starring = [[Claire Foy]]<br>[[Matthew Macfadyen]]<br>[[Tom Courtenay]]<br>[[Judy Parfitt]]
| composer = [[John Lunn]]
| country = United Kingdom
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| language = English
| num_series = 1
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 14
| executive_producer = [[Rebecca Eaton]]<br>Anne Pivcevic
| num_episodes = 14
| producer = Lisa Osborne
| executive_producer = [[Rebecca Eaton]]<br>Anne Pivcevic
| producer = Lisa Osborne
| editor = Nick Arthurs<br>Philip Kloss<br>David Head
| editor = Nick Arthurs<br>Philip Kloss<br>David Head
| location =
| cinematography = Lukas Strebel<br>Owen McPolin<br>Alan Almond
| location =
| runtime = 26 minutes
| cinematography = Lukas Strebel<br>Owen McPolin<br>Alan Almond
| runtime = 452 minutes
| company = [[BBC]]<br>[[WGBH-TV|WGBH Boston]]
| company = [[BBC]]<br>[[WGBH-TV|WGBH Boston]]
| channel = [[BBC One]]
| channel = [[BBC One]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2008|10|26|df=yes}}
| first_aired = 26 October
| last_aired = {{End date|2008|12|11|df=yes}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2008|12|11|df=y}}
| website = https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fcm3b
| production_website =
}}
}}
'''''Little Dorrit''''' is a 2008 British [[miniseries]] based on [[Charles Dickens]]'s [[Little Dorrit|serial novel of the same title]], originally published between 1855 and 1857. The screenplay is by [[Andrew Davies (writer)|Andrew Davies]] and the episodes were directed by Adam Smith, [[Dearbhla Walsh]], and [[Diarmuid Lawrence]].
'''''Little Dorrit''''' is a 2008 British [[miniseries]] based on [[Charles Dickens]]'s [[Little Dorrit|serial novel of the same title]], originally published between 1855 and 1857. The screenplay is by [[Andrew Davies (writer)|Andrew Davies]] and the episodes were directed by Adam Smith, [[Dearbhla Walsh]], and [[Diarmuid Lawrence]].


The series was a joint production of the [[BBC]] and the American [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] member station [[WGBH-TV|WGBH Boston]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8d1acd3a|title=Little Dorrit[10/12/2008] (2008)|website=BFI}}</ref> It originally was broadcast by [[BBC One]] and [[BBC HD]], beginning on 26 October 2008 with a 60-minute opening episode, followed by 12 half-hour episodes and a 60-minute finale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d978ce6f38cb4ecc91f84ed6c0d5a83b|title=Little Dorrit|date=26 October 2008|issue=4410|pages=60|via=BBC Genome}}</ref> In the United States, it aired in five episodes as part of PBS's ''[[Masterpiece (TV series)|Masterpiece]]'' series between 29 March and 26 April 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/arts/television/28dorr.html|title=Dickens and the Business Cycle: The Victorian Way of Debt (Published 2009)|first=Alessandra|last=Stanley|date=28 March 2009|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> In Australia, episodes were combined into seven-parts on [[ABC1]] each Sunday at 8:30pm from 27 June 2010<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/201006/programs/ZX0101A001D2010-06-27T203500.htm | title =ABC1 Programming Airdate: Little Dorrit (episode one)| publisher=ABC Television Publicity | access-date=10 February 2011}}</ref> and has since been repeated on [[UKTV (Australia and New Zealand)|UKTV]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.uktv.com.au/programmes/show.asp?id=448 | title=UKTV Programme Synopsis: Little Dorrit | publisher=UKTV Online | access-date=10 February 2011}}</ref>
The series was a joint production of the [[BBC]] and the American [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] member station [[WGBH-TV|WGBH Boston]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8d1acd3a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517022650/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8d1acd3a|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 May 2018|title=Little Dorrit[10/12/2008] (2008)|website=BFI}}</ref> It originally was broadcast by [[BBC One]] and [[BBC HD]], beginning on 26 October 2008 with a 60-minute opening episode, followed by 12 half-hour episodes and a 60-minute finale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d978ce6f38cb4ecc91f84ed6c0d5a83b|title=Little Dorrit|date=26 October 2008|issue=4410|pages=60|via=BBC Genome}}</ref> In the United States, it aired in five episodes as part of PBS's ''[[Masterpiece (TV series)|Masterpiece]]'' series between 29 March and 26 April 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/arts/television/28dorr.html|title=Dickens and the Business Cycle: The Victorian Way of Debt (Published 2009)|first=Alessandra|last=Stanley|work=The New York Times |date=28 March 2009|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> In Australia, episodes were combined into seven-parts on [[ABC1]] each Sunday at 8:30pm from 27 June 2010<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/201006/programs/ZX0101A001D2010-06-27T203500.htm | title =ABC1 Programming Airdate: Little Dorrit (episode one)| publisher=ABC Television Publicity | access-date=10 February 2011}}</ref> and has since been repeated on [[UKTV (Australia and New Zealand)|UKTV]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.uktv.com.au/programmes/show.asp?id=448 | title=UKTV Programme Synopsis: Little Dorrit | publisher=UKTV Online | access-date=10 February 2011}}</ref>


The series won seven [[61st Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]], including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries|Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/little-dorrit-masterpiece|title=Little Dorrit (Masterpiece)|website=Television Academy}}</ref>
The series won seven [[61st Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]], including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries|Outstanding Miniseries]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/little-dorrit-masterpiece|title=Little Dorrit (Masterpiece)|website=Television Academy}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
Since her birth in 1805, twenty-one years prior, Amy Dorrit has lived in the [[Marshalsea]] [[debtors' prison|Prison for Debt]], caring for her father, William, who now enjoys a position of privileged seniority as the Father of the Marshalsea. To help her family, Amy works as a seamstress for Mrs. Clennam, a cranky, cold and forbidding semi-invalid living in a crumbling home with servants, the sinister Jeremiah Flintwinch and his bumbling wife, Affery.
Since her birth in 1805, twenty-one years prior, Amy Dorrit has lived in the [[Marshalsea]] [[debtors' prison|Prison for Debt]], caring for her father, William, who now enjoys a position of privileged seniority as the Father of the Marshalsea. Amy works as a seamstress for Mrs. Clennam, a cranky, cold and forbidding semi-invalid living in a crumbling home with servants, the sinister Jeremiah Flintwinch and his bumbling wife, Affery.


Mr. Clennam is ill in China with his son, Arthur. His dying wish is that his son "Put it right" with his mother. He gives Arthur a [[pocket watch]] for her; Arthur has no idea what this means. Returning to England after 15 years, he gives his mother the watch. She claims to not know either, but opens it and reads "Do not forget." Arthur is enamoured of the beautiful Minnie (Pet) Meagles, who however favours ne'er-do-well aspiring artist, Henry Gowan, to her parents' distress.
Mr. Clennam is ill in China with his son, Arthur. His dying wish is that his son "put it right" with his mother. He gives Arthur a [[pocket watch]] for her, with hidden meaning. Returning to England after 15 years, Arthur gives his mother the watch, which she opens and reads "Do not forget." Arthur is enamoured of the beautiful Minnie (Pet) Meagles, who prefers aspiring artist, Henry Gowan, to her parents' distress. Arthur befriends Amy, but only as someone helping his mother. Amy falls in love with him. John Chivery, who guards the prison with his father, watches, dismayed, because he loves Amy.


Amy's brother, Tip, falls into debt and joins his father in prison. Arthur pays his debt anonymously, but Amy guesses; whilst Tip is ungrateful, Amy's love for Arthur grows. Arthur, observing his mother's uncharacteristically benevolent attitude towards Amy, suspects his family may be responsible for the Dorrits' misfortunes and asks rent collector and amateur detective, Mr. Pancks, to investigate.
Arthur befriends Amy, but only as someone helping his mother. For Amy, affection for Arthur grows into romance. John Chivery, who guards the prison with his father, watches, dismayed. He loves Amy desperately, but fruitlessly.


Chivery proposes to Amy, who declines, upsetting both fathers and threatening Dorrit's position. Arthur, unaware of Amy's love, proposes to Pet, who tells him she plans to marry Gowan. He meets inventor-engineer Daniel Doyce: they become partners.
Amy's brother, Tip, falls into debt and joins his father in prison. Arthur pays his debt anonymously. Amy guesses Arthur's role: Tip is ungrateful but Amy's love for Arthur grows. Arthur, observing his mother's uncharacteristically benevolent attitude towards Amy, suspects his family may be responsible for the Dorrits' misfortunes and asks rent collector and amateur detective, Mr. Pancks, to investigate.


An ex-convict, Rigaud, meets Flintwinch's brother, Ephraim, who has Mrs. Clennam's papers, which she had ordered Jeremiah to burn. Rigaud gets Ephraim drunk, murders him, and takes the papers, learning the Clennam family secret.
Chivery proposes to Amy, who gently declines. This upsets both fathers, threatening to affect Dorrit's position. Arthur, unaware of Amy's love, proposes to Pet, who regretfully tells him she will marry Gowan. He meets inventor-engineer Daniel Doyce: they become partners.


Pancks discovers that Dorrit is heir to a fortune. Dorrit, now wealthy, leaves the Marshalsea and insists his family forget their "shameful past" and everyone connected to it, snubbing and insulting Arthur. He hires Mrs Hortensia General to educate his daughters and prepare them for society. They all depart on a [[Grand Tour|Grand Tour of Europe]], but Amy cannot adapt to the new lifestyle. Amy's sister, Fanny, is courted by, and accepts, the step-son of wealthy banker, Mr. Merdle. At Pancks' suggestion, Arthur invests in Merdle's bank.
An ex-convict, Rigaud, meets Flintwinch's brother, Ephraim. Ephraim has Mrs. Clennam's papers, which she ordered Jeremiah to burn, but which he gave to Ephraim. Rigaud gets Ephraim drunk, murders him, and takes the papers, learning the Clennam family secret.


Dorrit returns to England and asks Merdle for advice on "prudent investment". Merdle agrees to invest Dorrit's fortune as a family favour. Dorrit , still tormented by prison memories, returns to Italy to propose to Mrs General, but loses his sanity and dies. Amy returns to London, where she is accommodated by the newly-married Fanny.
Pancks discovers Dorrit is heir to a fortune. Dorrit, now wealthy, leaves the Marshalsea and insists his family forget their "shameful past" and everyone connected to it, including by snubbing and insulting Arthur. He hires stiff and pretentious Hortensia General to educate his daughters and prepare them for society. They all depart on a [[Grand Tour|Grand Tour of Europe]]. Dorrit is upset with Amy, who cannot adapt to the new lifestyle. Amy's sister, Fanny, is courted by, and accepts marriage to, the step-son of wealthy banker, Mr. Merdle. At Pancks suggestion, Arthur invests in Merdle's bank.


Merdle kills himself, his suicide note revealing that his bank is a Ponzi scheme which has ruined thousands, including Arthur, who is forced into the Marshalsea. Chivery angrily reveals to Arthur that Amy loves him. Arthur becomes feverish and is nursed by Amy, who offers to pay his debts, but he refuses.
Dorrit returns to England and asks Merdle for advice on "prudent investment". Merdle agrees to invest Dorrit's fortune as a family favour. Dorrit is welcomed into London's finest homes but is tormented by prison memories. He loses his sanity, and returns to Italy to see Amy, where he dies. Alone, Amy returns to London, where she is accommodated by the newly married Fanny.


Rigaud returns to Mrs. Clennam and reveals what he learned from the documents: her unloving attitude drove her husband to infidelity, which resulted in a son, Arthur, whom Mrs. Clennam raised as her own, without any motherly feeling. When Arthur's birth mother died, his paternal grandfather bequeathed money to Amy, who was born in the Marshalsea the day Arthur's birth mother died there. Rigaud demands £2,000 to keep silent, but Mrs. Clennam leaves her house for the first time in years, finds Amy, reveals the truth, and begs forgiveness. Her dilapidated house collapses, killing Rigaud. Returning to her demolished home, Mrs. Clennam collapses and dies.
Merdle kills himself, his suicide note revealing that his bank is a Ponzi scheme which ruined thousands. One is Arthur, who is forced into the Marshalsea. Chivery angrily reveals to Arthur that Amy loves him. Arthur becomes feverish and is nursed by Amy. She offers to pay his debts, but he refuses.


The Dorrits learn that their money had been invested with Merdle, and is lost. Now that Amy is penniless, Arthur accepts her, and they declare their mutual love. Daniel Doyce returns from Russia, where he has made a fortune, which he shares with Arthur, who marries Amy.
Rigaud returns to Mrs. Clennam and reveals what he learned from the documents: her unloving attitude drove her husband to infidelity, which resulted in a son, Arthur, whom Mrs. Clennam raised as her own, albeit without motherly feeling. When Arthur's birth mother died, his paternal grandfather bequeathed money to Amy, as Amy was born in the Marshalsea the day Arthur's birth mother died there. Rigaud demands £2,000 to keep silent, but Mrs. Clennam leaves her house for the first time in years, finds Amy, reveals the truth, and begs forgiveness. Meanwhile, her dilapidated house collapses, killing Rigaud. Returning to her demolished home, Mrs. Clennam collapses and dies.

The Dorrits learn their money had been invested with Merdle, and is lost. Now Amy is penniless, Arthur accepts her, and they declare their mutual love. Daniel Doyce returns from Russia, where he made a fortune. He shares his wealth with Arthur who marries Amy.


==Cast==
==Cast==

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Claire Foy]] as Amy Dorrit "Little Dorrit"
*[[Claire Foy]] as Amy Dorrit "Little Dorrit"
Line 72: Line 66:
*[[Arthur Darvill]] as Edward "Tip" Dorrit
*[[Arthur Darvill]] as Edward "Tip" Dorrit
*[[Anton Lesser]] as Mr. Merdle
*[[Anton Lesser]] as Mr. Merdle
*[[Amanda Redman]] as Mrs Merdle
*[[Amanda Redman]] as Mrs. Merdle
*[[Sebastian Armesto]] as Edmund Sparkler
*[[Sebastian Armesto]] as Edmund Sparkler
*[[Alun Armstrong]] as Jeremiah / Ephraim Flintwinch
*[[Alun Armstrong]] as Jeremiah / Ephraim Flintwinch
Line 82: Line 76:
*[[Ruth Jones]] as Flora Casby Finching
*[[Ruth Jones]] as Flora Casby Finching
*[[John Alderton]] as Christopher Casby
*[[John Alderton]] as Christopher Casby
*[[Annette Crosbie]] as Mr F's Aunt
*[[Annette Crosbie]] as Mr. F's Aunt
*[[Zubin Varla]] as Daniel Doyce
*[[Zubin Varla]] as Daniel Doyce
*[[Russell Tovey]] as John Chivery
*[[Russell Tovey]] as John Chivery
Line 88: Line 82:
*[[Freema Agyeman]] as Tattycoram
*[[Freema Agyeman]] as Tattycoram
*[[Maxine Peake]] as Miss Wade
*[[Maxine Peake]] as Miss Wade
*[[Harriet Walter]] as Mrs Gowan
*[[Harriet Walter]] as Mrs. Gowan
*Jason Thorpe as Jean-Baptiste Cavalletto
*Jason Thorpe as Jean-Baptiste Cavalletto
*[[Jason Watkins (actor)|Jason Watkins]] as Mr. Plornish
*[[Jason Watkins]] as Mr. Plornish
*[[Rosie Cavaliero]] as Mrs. Plornish
*[[Rosie Cavaliero]] as Mrs. Plornish
*[[Eve Myles]] as Maggy
*[[Eve Myles]] as Maggy
Line 96: Line 90:
*[[Darren Boyd]] as Tite Barnacle Jr
*[[Darren Boyd]] as Tite Barnacle Jr
*[[Pam Ferris]] as Mrs. Hortensia General
*[[Pam Ferris]] as Mrs. Hortensia General
*[[Nicholas Jones (actor)|Nicholas Jones]] as Mr Merdle's butler
*[[Nicholas Jones (actor)|Nicholas Jones]] as Mr. Merdle's butler
*[[Geoffrey Whitehead]] as Doctor
*[[Geoffrey Whitehead]] as Doctor
*[[Nicholas Blane]] as Lawyer
*[[Nicholas Blane]] as Lawyer
*[[Angus Barnett]] as Slingo the horsedealer
*[[Angus Barnett]] as Slingo the horsedealer
*[[Roy Hudd]] as Theatre Director
*Skye Bennett as Girl
*Skye Bennett as Girl
*[[Ian McElhinney]] as Mr. Clennam, Arthur's late father
*[[Ian McElhinney]] as Mr. Clennam, Arthur's late father
Line 106: Line 101:


==Production==
==Production==
The series was filmed on location at [[Chenies Manor House]], [[Luton Hoo]], and [[Hellfire Caves]] in [[Buckinghamshire]]; [[Deal Castle]] in [[Kent]]; [[Hampton Court Palace]] in [[Surrey]] as the [[Marshalsea Prison|Marshalsea]]; and the [[Old Royal Naval College]] in [[Greenwich]]. Interiors were filmed in the [[Pinewood Studios]].
The series was filmed on location at [[Chenies Manor House]], [[Luton Hoo]], and [[Hellfire Caves]] in [[Buckinghamshire]]; [[Deal Castle]] in [[Kent]]; [[Hampton Court Palace]] as the [[Marshalsea Prison|Marshalsea]]; and the [[Old Royal Naval College]] in [[Greenwich]]. Interiors were filmed in the [[Pinewood Studios]].


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 100% of 10 critics have given the series a positive review, and the consensus states, "With a sterling cast and plenty of juicy drama, ''Little Dorrit'' is a superb adaptation."<ref>https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/little_dorrit/s01</ref>
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 100% of 10 critics have given the series a positive review, and the consensus states, "With a sterling cast and plenty of juicy drama, ''Little Dorrit'' is a superb adaptation."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/little_dorrit/s01|title=Little Dorrit|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref>


===United Kingdom===
===United Kingdom===
In the United Kingdom the series was often compared to Davies' ''[[Bleak House (2005 TV serial)|Bleak House]]'' three years earlier. One reviewer for ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' wrote that "Some of the acting has been a bit too hammy" and blamed falling viewing figures on "confusion over scheduling, starting as an hour long special and then breaking into half an hour episodes, like a Victorian East Enders";<ref>{{cite news| url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/philipjohnston/5814067/Little_Dorrit_is_superb_even_if_audiences_are_falling/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430014939/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/philipjohnston/5814067/Little_Dorrit_is_superb_even_if_audiences_are_falling/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=30 April 2010 | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Little Dorrit is superb even if audiences are falling | date=24 November 2008}}</ref> another added that it "doesn't seem to have caught on in the same way as other recent costume dramas such as Cranford and Bleak House", both due to scheduling and also down since "it wasn't quite as good" as these two programmes, though also that "Most of the cast were as reliably terrific".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/3710242/Last-night-on-television-Little-Dorrit-BBC1.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=James | last=Walton | title=Last night on television – Little Dorrit (BBC1) | date=11 December 2008}}</ref> The ''Independent'' also praised the performances, especially Courtney, Macfadyen and Peake,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-weekends-television-little-dorrit-sun-bbc1-br-britannia-high-sun-itv1-br-in-love-with-barbara-sun-bbc4-974178.html |location=London |work=The Independent |first=Tom |last=Sutcliffe |title=The Weekend's Television: Little Dorrit, Sun, BBC1 |date=27 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524225020/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-weekends-television-little-dorrit-sun-bbc1-br-britannia-high-sun-itv1-br-in-love-with-barbara-sun-bbc4-974178.html |archive-date=24 May 2010 }}</ref> whilst another of its reviewers praised Davies' adaptation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/television-little-dorrit-bbc1-brbr-in-love-with-barbara-bbc4-brbr-prescott-the-class-system-and-me-bbc2-brbr-dead-set-e4-983577.html |location=London |work=The Independent |first=Hermione |last=Eyre |date=2 November 2008 |title = Television: Little Dorrit, BBC1 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090409104857/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/television-little-dorrit-bbc1-brbr-in-love-with-barbara-bbc4-brbr-prescott-the-class-system-and-me-bbc2-brbr-dead-set-e4-983577.html |archive-date=9 April 2009}}</ref> The ''Guardian'' also praised the acting and the adaptation, though with the caveat that "because it's Dickens, those top names can get away with a little bit more showing off and look-at-me acting than they would be able to in, say, Jane Austen".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/oct/27/television-television?INTCMP=SRCH | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Sam | last=Wollaston | title=The weekend's TV | date=27 October 2008}}</ref>
In the United Kingdom, the series was often compared to Davies' ''[[Bleak House (2005 TV serial)|Bleak House]]'', which was released three years earlier.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} One reviewer for ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' wrote that "Some of the acting has been a bit too hammy" and blamed falling viewing figures on "confusion over scheduling, starting as an hour long special and then breaking into half an hour episodes, like a Victorian East Enders";<ref>{{cite news| url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/philipjohnston/5814067/Little_Dorrit_is_superb_even_if_audiences_are_falling/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430014939/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/philipjohnston/5814067/Little_Dorrit_is_superb_even_if_audiences_are_falling/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=30 April 2010 | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Little Dorrit is superb even if audiences are falling | date=24 November 2008}}</ref> another added that it "doesn't seem to have caught on in the same way as other recent costume dramas such as Cranford and Bleak House", both due to scheduling and also down since "it wasn't quite as good" as these two programmes, though also that "Most of the cast were as reliably terrific".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/3710242/Last-night-on-television-Little-Dorrit-BBC1.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=James | last=Walton | title=Last night on television – Little Dorrit (BBC1) | date=11 December 2008}}</ref> The ''Independent'' also praised the performances, especially Courtenay, Macfadyen and Peake,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-weekends-television-little-dorrit-sun-bbc1-br-britannia-high-sun-itv1-br-in-love-with-barbara-sun-bbc4-974178.html |location=London |work=The Independent |first=Tom |last=Sutcliffe |title=The Weekend's Television: Little Dorrit, Sun, BBC1 |date=27 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524225020/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-weekends-television-little-dorrit-sun-bbc1-br-britannia-high-sun-itv1-br-in-love-with-barbara-sun-bbc4-974178.html |archive-date=24 May 2010 }}</ref> whilst another of its reviewers praised Davies' adaptation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/television-little-dorrit-bbc1-brbr-in-love-with-barbara-bbc4-brbr-prescott-the-class-system-and-me-bbc2-brbr-dead-set-e4-983577.html |location=London |work=The Independent |first=Hermione |last=Eyre |date=2 November 2008 |title = Television: Little Dorrit, BBC1 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090409104857/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/television-little-dorrit-bbc1-brbr-in-love-with-barbara-bbc4-brbr-prescott-the-class-system-and-me-bbc2-brbr-dead-set-e4-983577.html |archive-date=9 April 2009}}</ref> The ''Guardian'' also praised the acting and the adaptation, though with the caveat that "because it's Dickens, those top names can get away with a little bit more showing off and look-at-me acting than they would be able to in, say, Jane Austen".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/oct/27/television-television?INTCMP=SRCH | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Sam | last=Wollaston | title=The weekend's TV | date=27 October 2008}}</ref>


===United States===
===United States===
Brian Lowry of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' observed, "Slow going at first and rushed near the end, it's nevertheless an absorbing piece of work, reminding us that there are certain things the Brits simply do better... Davies could have easily shed (or at least pared down) a few of [the] subplots without seriously diminishing the story's grandeur, and after the lengthy windup, the last hour races through tying up the assorted loose ends. Even so, there's so much gaudy talent on display here that those with an appetite for it won't be able to get enough, and ''Little Dorrit'' gives them everything they could want in a big, gloriously messy package."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939942.html?categoryid=32&cs=1|title=Little Dorrit|author=Brian Lowry|work=Variety|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref>
Brian Lowry of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' observed, "Slow going at first and rushed near the end, it's nevertheless an absorbing piece of work, reminding us that there are certain things the Brits simply do better... Davies could have easily shed (or at least pared down) a few of [the] subplots without seriously diminishing the story's grandeur, and after the lengthy windup, the last hour races through tying up the assorted loose ends. Even so, there's so much gaudy talent on display here that those with an appetite for it won't be able to get enough, and ''Little Dorrit'' gives them everything they could want in a big, gloriously messy package."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939942.html?categoryid=32&cs=1|title=Little Dorrit|author=Brian Lowry|work=Variety|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref>


Matthew Gilbert of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' felt the series "has so many virtues – indelible performances, stirring pathos, and an emotional and psychological heft unusual for Dickens – that you can forgive its one significant flaw... For all its feeling, ''Little Dorrit'' does not wrap up well, which is a no-no when it comes to Dickens. Indeed, a Dickens denouement needs to be neat... But the loose strings that Davies leaves dangling at the end of this script are frustrating. All the carefully built mystery implodes in the final act, as the importance of a number of characters... and the backstory itself are left murky in ways that Dickens made clear... It's hard to imagine how this happened in the course of such an otherwise mindful endeavor. And yet ''Little Dorrit'' is still rewarding, for the long journey, if not for the final stop."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/03/27/dickens_meets_lost_in_pbss_dorrit/|title=Dickens meets 'Lost' in PBS's 'Little Dorrit' – The Boston Globe|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref>
Matthew Gilbert of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' felt the series "has so many virtues – indelible performances, stirring pathos, and an emotional and psychological heft unusual for Dickens – that you can forgive its one significant flaw... For all its feeling, ''Little Dorrit'' does not wrap up well, which is a no-no when it comes to Dickens. Indeed, a Dickens denouement needs to be neat... But the loose strings that Davies leaves dangling at the end of this script are frustrating. All the carefully built mystery implodes in the final act, as the importance of a number of characters... and the backstory itself are left murky in ways that Dickens made clear... It's hard to imagine how this happened in the course of such an otherwise mindful endeavor. And yet ''Little Dorrit'' is still rewarding, for the long journey, if not for the final stop."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/03/27/dickens_meets_lost_in_pbss_dorrit/|title=Dickens meets 'Lost' in PBS's 'Little Dorrit' – The Boston Globe|newspaper=Boston.com|date=27 March 2009|access-date=12 February 2016|last1=Gilbert|first1=Matthew}}</ref>


Robert Lloyd of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' noted, "Not every character is exactly as described on paper; some don't stay around long enough to register and others who have earned our interest just disappear. And the story can be confusing at times. But all in all, this is a dynamic, addictive rendition of a complicated novel."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/27/entertainment/et-little-dorrit27|title=Review: 'Little Dorrit' on PBS|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref>
Robert Lloyd of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' noted, "Not every character is exactly as described on paper; some don't stay around long enough to register and others who have earned our interest just disappear. And the story can be confusing at times. But all in all, this is a dynamic, addictive rendition of a complicated novel."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-mar-27-et-little-dorrit27-story.html|title=Review: 'Little Dorrit' on PBS|work=Los Angeles Times|date=27 March 2009 |access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref>


Jonathan Storm of ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' stated, "Andrew Davies, who made 2006's ''[[Bleak House (2005 TV serial)|Bleak House]]'' one of the best TV shows of the year, crafts another superb script, with characters and incidents squeezing out the sides, just the thing to satisfy close observers, which anyone joining this maxi mini-series should be. Costumes, sets, and actors, a broad lot of those super-skilled, terrifically trained Brits, make for sumptuous viewing... You pretty much know what to expect when ''Masterpiece'' visits the 19th century. But ''Little Dorrit'' stands at the high end of a very lofty list of period-piece achievement. It's big entertainment."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20090328_Jonathan_Storm___Little_Dorrit___One_dandy_Dickens_tale.html|title=Jonathan Storm: 'Little Dorrit': One dandy Dickens tale|first=Jonathan |last=Storm |website=www.inquirer.com}}</ref>
Jonathan Storm of ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' stated, "Andrew Davies, who made 2006's ''[[Bleak House (2005 TV serial)|Bleak House]]'' one of the best TV shows of the year, crafts another superb script, with characters and incidents squeezing out the sides, just the thing to satisfy close observers, which anyone joining this maxi mini-series should be. Costumes, sets, and actors, a broad lot of those super-skilled, terrifically trained Brits, make for sumptuous viewing... You pretty much know what to expect when ''Masterpiece'' visits the 19th century. But ''Little Dorrit'' stands at the high end of a very lofty list of period-piece achievement. It's big entertainment."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20090328_Jonathan_Storm___Little_Dorrit___One_dandy_Dickens_tale.html|title=Jonathan Storm: 'Little Dorrit': One dandy Dickens tale|first=Jonathan |last=Storm |website=www.inquirer.com|date=28 March 2009 }}</ref>


In her review in ''[[The New York Times]]'', Alessandra Stanley said the series "is as rich at the margins as at the center with strange, and strangely believable, characters from almost all levels of society, rendered in quick, firm strokes,"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/arts/television/28dorr.html?_r=1|title=The New York Times|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> while [[David Wiegand]] of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' called it "terrific entertainment... in some ways, perhaps even better than its source material."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/28/DDER16BTID.DTL|title=TV review: Smart, well-played 'Little Dorrit'|author1=David Wiegand|author2= Chronicle Staff Writer|date=28 March 2009|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref>
In her review in ''[[The New York Times]]'', Alessandra Stanley said the series "is as rich at the margins as at the center with strange, and strangely believable, characters from almost all levels of society, rendered in quick, firm strokes,"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/arts/television/28dorr.html?_r=1|title=The New York Times|date=28 March 2009 |access-date=12 February 2016 |last1=Stanley |first1=Alessandra }}</ref> while [[David Wiegand]] of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' called it "terrific entertainment... in some ways, perhaps even better than its source material."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/28/DDER16BTID.DTL|title=TV review: Smart, well-played 'Little Dorrit'|author1=David Wiegand|author2= Chronicle Staff Writer|date=28 March 2009|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref>


==Awards and nominations==
===Awards and nominations===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
The serial won seven of its eleven nominations at the [[61st Primetime Emmy Awards]], including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries|Outstanding Miniseries]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special|Outstanding Directing]] for Dearbhla Walsh, and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special|Outstanding Writing]] for Andrew Davies.
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:100%;"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! colspan="5" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | Awards
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Recipients and nominees
! scope="col"| Result
|-
|-
! Year
| rowspan=11|[[Primetime Emmy Award]]s
! Award
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries|Outstanding Miniseries]]
! Category
|
! Nominee(s)
| {{won}}
! Result
! Ref.
|-
|-
| rowspan="40"| {{center|2009}}
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special|Outstanding Directing]]
| rowspan="5"| [[2009 British Academy Television Craft Awards|British Academy Television Craft Awards]]
| Dearbhla Walsh
| [[British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| {{won}}
| Barbara Kidd
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="5"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2009/tvcraft |title=BAFTA Awards: Television Craft in 2009 |website=[[BAFTA]] |year=2009 |access-date=September 16, 2016 |ref={{harvid|BAFTA|2009}}}}</ref>
|-
| [[British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Make-Up & Hair Design|Best Make Up and Hair Design]]
| Karen Hartley-Thomas
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Original Music|Best Original Television Music]]
| John Lunn
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]]
| James Merifield
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Sound: Fiction|Best Sound – Fiction/Entertainment]]
| Rudi Buckle, Colin Chapman, Ross Adams, and Richard Street
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Broadcasting Press Guild|Broadcasting Press Guild Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best Drama Series
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.broadcastingpressguild.org/2009/02/729/ |title=Shortlist for 35th BPG Television and Radio Awards |website=[[Broadcasting Press Guild]] |date=February 26, 2009 |access-date=February 26, 2009}}</ref>
|-
| Writer's Award
| [[Andrew Davies (writer)|Andrew Davies]] {{small|(Also for ''[[Sense and Sensibility (2008 TV series)|Sense and Sensibility]]'')}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[6th Irish Film & Television Awards|Irish Film & Television Awards]]
| Best Director – Television
| [[Dearbhla Walsh]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ifta.ie/awards/iftawinners2009.html |title=Winners of the 6th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards |website=[[Irish Film & Television Academy]] |access-date=February 20, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| Director of Photography – Television
| Owen McPolin
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="11"| Online Film & Television Association Awards
| colspan="2"| Best Miniseries
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="11"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oftaawards.com/television-awards/13th-annual-tv-awards-2008-09/ |title=13th Annual TV Awards (2008-09) |website=Online Film & Television Association |access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| [[Matthew Macfadyen]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| [[Tom Courtenay]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| [[Judy Parfitt]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| [[Adam Smith (director)|Adam Smith]], Dearbhla Walsh, and [[Diarmuid Lawrence]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special|Outstanding Writing]]
| Andrew Davies
| Andrew Davies
| {{won}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| rowspan=2|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie|Outstanding Supporting Actor]]
| [[Andy Serkis]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Costume Design in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| [[Tom Courtenay]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Lighting in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special|Outstanding Music Composition]]
| [[John Lunn]]
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Music in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
|[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special|Outstanding Casting]]
| {{nom}}
| Rachel Freck
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Production Design in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5"| [[61st Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series|Outstanding Miniseries]]
| Anne Pivcevic, [[Rebecca Eaton]], and Lisa Osborne
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="11"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/little-dorrit-masterpiece |title=Little Dorrit (Masterpiece) |website=Emmys.com |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=July 13, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie|Outstanding Cinematography]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie]]
| Tom Courtenay
| Lukas Strebal
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Andy Serkis]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special]]
| Dearbhla Walsh {{small|(for "Part 1")}}
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special]]
| Andrew Davies
| James Merifield, Paul Ghirardani and [[Bromley Contingent|Deborah Wilson]]
| {{won|tied}}
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="6"| [[61st Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie|Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie]]
| James Merifield, [[Paul Ghirardani]], and Deborah Wilson
| {{won}}{{efn|Tied with [[Kalina Ivanov]], Brandt Gordon, and Norma Jean Sanders for ''[[Grey Gardens (2009 film)|Grey Gardens]]''.}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or Special]]
| Rachel Freck
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie]]
| Lukas Strebel {{small|(for "Part 1")}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special|Outstanding Costumes]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special|Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or Special]]
| Barbara Kidd & Marion Weise
| Barbara Kidd and Marion Weise {{small|(for "Part 3")}}
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Movie
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie|Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or Movie]]
| Karen Hartley
| Karen Hartley-Thomas
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special|Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score)]]
| [[Golden Globe Award]]s
| [[John Lunn]] {{small|(for "Part 5")}}
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film|Best Miniseries or Television Film]]
|
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| rowspan=5|[[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Royal Television Society Programme Awards|Royal Television Society Awards]]
| Actor (Male)
| Best Production Design
| Matthew Macfadyen
|
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-programme-awards-2009 |title=RTS Programme Winners 2009 |date=14 March 2011 |publisher=[[Royal Television Society]] |access-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Actor (Female)
| Best Costume Design
| [[Claire Foy]]
|
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| Best Makeup and Hair Design
| [[Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards]]
| Costume Design - Drama
|
| Barbara Kidd
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-craft-and-design-winners-2009|title=CRAFT & DESIGN AWARDS 2009|website=[[Royal Television Society]]|date=24 January 2011 |accessdate=24 February 2023}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[14th Satellite Awards|Satellite Awards]]
| Best Original Television Music
| colspan="2"| [[Satellite Award for Best Miniseries|Best Miniseries]]
|
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="3"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2009/ |title=2009 Satellite Awards |work=[[Satellite Awards]] |publisher=[[International Press Academy]] |access-date=July 10, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television]]
| Tom Courtenay
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television]]
| Best Sound Fiction/Entertainment
| Judy Parfitt
|
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
| [[Television and Radio Industries Club#2009 winners|Television and Radio Industries Club Awards]]
| colspan="2"| TV Drama Programme
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-03 |title=The Television and Radio Industries Club - TRIC Awards 2009 Nominees |url=http://www.tric.org.uk/main/2009nominees.html |access-date=2022-02-23 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603093258/http://www.tric.org.uk/main/2009nominees.html |archive-date=3 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Writers' Guild of Great Britain|Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards]]
| Television Drama Series
| rowspan="2"| Andrew Davies
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://writersguild.org.uk/writers-guild-awards-2009/ |title=Writers' Guild Awards 2009 |website=[[Writers' Guild of Great Britain]] |access-date=June 3, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| Lifetime Achievement Award
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| {{center|2010}}
| [[Costume Designers Guild Awards 2009|Costume Designers Guild Awards]]
| Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Miniseries
| Barbara Kidd
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.costumedesignersguild.com/awards-archives/11th-cdga-2009/ |title=11th Costume Designers Guild Awards |work=[[Costume Designers Guild]] |access-date=May 21, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| [[67th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film|Best Miniseries or Television Film]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/tv-show/little-dorrit |title=Little Dorrit – Golden Globes |website=[[HFPA]] |access-date=July 5, 2021 |ref={{harvid|HFPA|2011}}}}</ref>
|-
| [[21st Producers Guild of America Awards|Producers Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Producers Guild of America Award for Best Long-Form Television|David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television]]
| Anne Pivcevic and Lisa Osborne
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite news |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |title=PGA unveils nominations |url=https://variety.com/2010/film/awards/pga-unveils-nominations-1118013317/ |accessdate=March 31, 2020 |work=Variety |date=January 5, 2010}}</ref>
|}
|}


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*[[Television in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Television in the United Kingdom]]
*[[2008 in television]]
*[[2008 in television]]

==Notes==
{{Noteslist}}


==References==
==References==
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{{Navboxes
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''Little Dorrit''
|title = Awards for ''Little Dorrit''
|list =
|list =
{{EmmyAward Limited Series}}
{{EmmyAward Limited Series}}
{{Satellite Award Best Miniseries}}
{{Satellite Award Best Miniseries}}
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{{marshalseaend}}
{{marshalseaend}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Little Dorrit (Tv Serial)}}
[[Category:2008 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:2008 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:2008 British television series endings]]
[[Category:2008 British television series endings]]
[[Category:2000s British drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s British drama television series]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:BBC high definition shows]]
[[Category:BBC high definition shows]]
[[Category:BBC television dramas]]
[[Category:BBC television dramas]]
[[Category:2000s British television miniseries]]
[[Category:2000s British television miniseries]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Charles Dickens]]
[[Category:Films based on Little Dorrit]]
[[Category:Period television series]]
[[Category:Period television series]]
[[Category:Television shows based on works by Charles Dickens]]
[[Category:Television shows based on works by Charles Dickens]]

Latest revision as of 05:16, 14 August 2024

Little Dorrit
Cover of the BBC DVD release
GenrePeriod drama
Based onLittle Dorrit
by Charles Dickens
Written byAndrew Davies
Directed byAdam Smith (6 episodes)
Dearbhla Walsh (5 episodes)
Diarmuid Lawrence (3 episodes)
StarringClaire Foy
Matthew Macfadyen
Tom Courtenay
Judy Parfitt
ComposerJohn Lunn
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes14
Production
Executive producersRebecca Eaton
Anne Pivcevic
ProducerLisa Osborne
CinematographyLukas Strebel
Owen McPolin
Alan Almond
EditorsNick Arthurs
Philip Kloss
David Head
Running time26 minutes
Production companiesBBC
WGBH Boston
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release26 October (2008-10-26) –
11 December 2008 (2008-12-11)

Little Dorrit is a 2008 British miniseries based on Charles Dickens's serial novel of the same title, originally published between 1855 and 1857. The screenplay is by Andrew Davies and the episodes were directed by Adam Smith, Dearbhla Walsh, and Diarmuid Lawrence.

The series was a joint production of the BBC and the American PBS member station WGBH Boston.[1] It originally was broadcast by BBC One and BBC HD, beginning on 26 October 2008 with a 60-minute opening episode, followed by 12 half-hour episodes and a 60-minute finale.[2] In the United States, it aired in five episodes as part of PBS's Masterpiece series between 29 March and 26 April 2009.[3] In Australia, episodes were combined into seven-parts on ABC1 each Sunday at 8:30pm from 27 June 2010[4] and has since been repeated on UKTV.[5]

The series won seven Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries.[6]

Plot

[edit]

Since her birth in 1805, twenty-one years prior, Amy Dorrit has lived in the Marshalsea Prison for Debt, caring for her father, William, who now enjoys a position of privileged seniority as the Father of the Marshalsea. Amy works as a seamstress for Mrs. Clennam, a cranky, cold and forbidding semi-invalid living in a crumbling home with servants, the sinister Jeremiah Flintwinch and his bumbling wife, Affery.

Mr. Clennam is ill in China with his son, Arthur. His dying wish is that his son "put it right" with his mother. He gives Arthur a pocket watch for her, with hidden meaning. Returning to England after 15 years, Arthur gives his mother the watch, which she opens and reads "Do not forget." Arthur is enamoured of the beautiful Minnie (Pet) Meagles, who prefers aspiring artist, Henry Gowan, to her parents' distress. Arthur befriends Amy, but only as someone helping his mother. Amy falls in love with him. John Chivery, who guards the prison with his father, watches, dismayed, because he loves Amy.

Amy's brother, Tip, falls into debt and joins his father in prison. Arthur pays his debt anonymously, but Amy guesses; whilst Tip is ungrateful, Amy's love for Arthur grows. Arthur, observing his mother's uncharacteristically benevolent attitude towards Amy, suspects his family may be responsible for the Dorrits' misfortunes and asks rent collector and amateur detective, Mr. Pancks, to investigate.

Chivery proposes to Amy, who declines, upsetting both fathers and threatening Dorrit's position. Arthur, unaware of Amy's love, proposes to Pet, who tells him she plans to marry Gowan. He meets inventor-engineer Daniel Doyce: they become partners.

An ex-convict, Rigaud, meets Flintwinch's brother, Ephraim, who has Mrs. Clennam's papers, which she had ordered Jeremiah to burn. Rigaud gets Ephraim drunk, murders him, and takes the papers, learning the Clennam family secret.

Pancks discovers that Dorrit is heir to a fortune. Dorrit, now wealthy, leaves the Marshalsea and insists his family forget their "shameful past" and everyone connected to it, snubbing and insulting Arthur. He hires Mrs Hortensia General to educate his daughters and prepare them for society. They all depart on a Grand Tour of Europe, but Amy cannot adapt to the new lifestyle. Amy's sister, Fanny, is courted by, and accepts, the step-son of wealthy banker, Mr. Merdle. At Pancks' suggestion, Arthur invests in Merdle's bank.

Dorrit returns to England and asks Merdle for advice on "prudent investment". Merdle agrees to invest Dorrit's fortune as a family favour. Dorrit , still tormented by prison memories, returns to Italy to propose to Mrs General, but loses his sanity and dies. Amy returns to London, where she is accommodated by the newly-married Fanny.

Merdle kills himself, his suicide note revealing that his bank is a Ponzi scheme which has ruined thousands, including Arthur, who is forced into the Marshalsea. Chivery angrily reveals to Arthur that Amy loves him. Arthur becomes feverish and is nursed by Amy, who offers to pay his debts, but he refuses.

Rigaud returns to Mrs. Clennam and reveals what he learned from the documents: her unloving attitude drove her husband to infidelity, which resulted in a son, Arthur, whom Mrs. Clennam raised as her own, without any motherly feeling. When Arthur's birth mother died, his paternal grandfather bequeathed money to Amy, who was born in the Marshalsea the day Arthur's birth mother died there. Rigaud demands £2,000 to keep silent, but Mrs. Clennam leaves her house for the first time in years, finds Amy, reveals the truth, and begs forgiveness. Her dilapidated house collapses, killing Rigaud. Returning to her demolished home, Mrs. Clennam collapses and dies.

The Dorrits learn that their money had been invested with Merdle, and is lost. Now that Amy is penniless, Arthur accepts her, and they declare their mutual love. Daniel Doyce returns from Russia, where he has made a fortune, which he shares with Arthur, who marries Amy.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The series was filmed on location at Chenies Manor House, Luton Hoo, and Hellfire Caves in Buckinghamshire; Deal Castle in Kent; Hampton Court Palace as the Marshalsea; and the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Interiors were filmed in the Pinewood Studios.

Critical reception

[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 10 critics have given the series a positive review, and the consensus states, "With a sterling cast and plenty of juicy drama, Little Dorrit is a superb adaptation."[7]

United Kingdom

[edit]

In the United Kingdom, the series was often compared to Davies' Bleak House, which was released three years earlier.[citation needed] One reviewer for The Daily Telegraph wrote that "Some of the acting has been a bit too hammy" and blamed falling viewing figures on "confusion over scheduling, starting as an hour long special and then breaking into half an hour episodes, like a Victorian East Enders";[8] another added that it "doesn't seem to have caught on in the same way as other recent costume dramas such as Cranford and Bleak House", both due to scheduling and also down since "it wasn't quite as good" as these two programmes, though also that "Most of the cast were as reliably terrific".[9] The Independent also praised the performances, especially Courtenay, Macfadyen and Peake,[10] whilst another of its reviewers praised Davies' adaptation.[11] The Guardian also praised the acting and the adaptation, though with the caveat that "because it's Dickens, those top names can get away with a little bit more showing off and look-at-me acting than they would be able to in, say, Jane Austen".[12]

United States

[edit]

Brian Lowry of Variety observed, "Slow going at first and rushed near the end, it's nevertheless an absorbing piece of work, reminding us that there are certain things the Brits simply do better... Davies could have easily shed (or at least pared down) a few of [the] subplots without seriously diminishing the story's grandeur, and after the lengthy windup, the last hour races through tying up the assorted loose ends. Even so, there's so much gaudy talent on display here that those with an appetite for it won't be able to get enough, and Little Dorrit gives them everything they could want in a big, gloriously messy package."[13]

Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe felt the series "has so many virtues – indelible performances, stirring pathos, and an emotional and psychological heft unusual for Dickens – that you can forgive its one significant flaw... For all its feeling, Little Dorrit does not wrap up well, which is a no-no when it comes to Dickens. Indeed, a Dickens denouement needs to be neat... But the loose strings that Davies leaves dangling at the end of this script are frustrating. All the carefully built mystery implodes in the final act, as the importance of a number of characters... and the backstory itself are left murky in ways that Dickens made clear... It's hard to imagine how this happened in the course of such an otherwise mindful endeavor. And yet Little Dorrit is still rewarding, for the long journey, if not for the final stop."[14]

Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times noted, "Not every character is exactly as described on paper; some don't stay around long enough to register and others who have earned our interest just disappear. And the story can be confusing at times. But all in all, this is a dynamic, addictive rendition of a complicated novel."[15]

Jonathan Storm of The Philadelphia Inquirer stated, "Andrew Davies, who made 2006's Bleak House one of the best TV shows of the year, crafts another superb script, with characters and incidents squeezing out the sides, just the thing to satisfy close observers, which anyone joining this maxi mini-series should be. Costumes, sets, and actors, a broad lot of those super-skilled, terrifically trained Brits, make for sumptuous viewing... You pretty much know what to expect when Masterpiece visits the 19th century. But Little Dorrit stands at the high end of a very lofty list of period-piece achievement. It's big entertainment."[16]

In her review in The New York Times, Alessandra Stanley said the series "is as rich at the margins as at the center with strange, and strangely believable, characters from almost all levels of society, rendered in quick, firm strokes,"[17] while David Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle called it "terrific entertainment... in some ways, perhaps even better than its source material."[18]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2009
 British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Costume Design Barbara Kidd Nominated [19]
Best Make Up and Hair Design Karen Hartley-Thomas Nominated
Best Original Television Music John Lunn Nominated
Best Production Design James Merifield Nominated
Best Sound – Fiction/Entertainment Rudi Buckle, Colin Chapman, Ross Adams, and Richard Street Nominated
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards Best Drama Series Nominated [20]
Writer's Award Andrew Davies (Also for Sense and Sensibility) Nominated
Irish Film & Television Awards Best Director – Television Dearbhla Walsh Nominated [21]
Director of Photography – Television Owen McPolin Nominated
Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Miniseries Nominated [22]
Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Matthew Macfadyen Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Tom Courtenay Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Judy Parfitt Nominated
Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries Adam Smith, Dearbhla Walsh, and Diarmuid Lawrence Nominated
Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries Andrew Davies Nominated
Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Best Costume Design in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Best Lighting in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Best Music in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Best Production Design in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Miniseries Anne Pivcevic, Rebecca Eaton, and Lisa Osborne Won [23]
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Tom Courtenay Nominated
Andy Serkis Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Dearbhla Walsh (for "Part 1") Won
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Andrew Davies Won
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie James Merifield, Paul Ghirardani, and Deborah Wilson Won[a]
Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Rachel Freck Won
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie Lukas Strebel (for "Part 1") Won
Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Barbara Kidd and Marion Weise (for "Part 3") Won
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or Movie Karen Hartley-Thomas Nominated
Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score) John Lunn (for "Part 5") Nominated
Royal Television Society Awards Actor (Male) Matthew Macfadyen Nominated [24]
Actor (Female) Claire Foy Nominated
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Costume Design - Drama Barbara Kidd Nominated [25]
Satellite Awards Best Miniseries Won [26]
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Tom Courtenay Nominated
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Judy Parfitt Nominated
Television and Radio Industries Club Awards TV Drama Programme Nominated [27]
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards Television Drama Series Andrew Davies Nominated [28]
Lifetime Achievement Award Won
2010
 Costume Designers Guild Awards Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Miniseries Barbara Kidd Nominated [29]
Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries or Television Film Nominated [30]
Producers Guild of America Awards David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television Anne Pivcevic and Lisa Osborne Nominated [31]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Tied with Kalina Ivanov, Brandt Gordon, and Norma Jean Sanders for Grey Gardens.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Little Dorrit[10/12/2008] (2008)". BFI. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Little Dorrit". 26 October 2008. p. 60 – via BBC Genome.
  3. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (28 March 2009). "Dickens and the Business Cycle: The Victorian Way of Debt (Published 2009)". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  4. ^ "ABC1 Programming Airdate: Little Dorrit (episode one)". ABC Television Publicity. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  5. ^ "UKTV Programme Synopsis: Little Dorrit". UKTV Online. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  6. ^ "Little Dorrit (Masterpiece)". Television Academy.
  7. ^ "Little Dorrit". Rotten Tomatoes.
  8. ^ "Little Dorrit is superb even if audiences are falling". The Daily Telegraph. London. 24 November 2008. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010.
  9. ^ Walton, James (11 December 2008). "Last night on television – Little Dorrit (BBC1)". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  10. ^ Sutcliffe, Tom (27 October 2008). "The Weekend's Television: Little Dorrit, Sun, BBC1". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010.
  11. ^ Eyre, Hermione (2 November 2008). "Television: Little Dorrit, BBC1". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 9 April 2009.
  12. ^ Wollaston, Sam (27 October 2008). "The weekend's TV". The Guardian. London.
  13. ^ Brian Lowry. "Little Dorrit". Variety. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  14. ^ Gilbert, Matthew (27 March 2009). "Dickens meets 'Lost' in PBS's 'Little Dorrit' – The Boston Globe". Boston.com. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  15. ^ "Review: 'Little Dorrit' on PBS". Los Angeles Times. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  16. ^ Storm, Jonathan (28 March 2009). "Jonathan Storm: 'Little Dorrit': One dandy Dickens tale". www.inquirer.com.
  17. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (28 March 2009). "The New York Times". Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  18. ^ David Wiegand; Chronicle Staff Writer (28 March 2009). "TV review: Smart, well-played 'Little Dorrit'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  19. ^ "BAFTA Awards: Television Craft in 2009". BAFTA. 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  20. ^ "Shortlist for 35th BPG Television and Radio Awards". Broadcasting Press Guild. 26 February 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2009.
  21. ^ "Winners of the 6th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards". Irish Film & Television Academy. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  22. ^ "13th Annual TV Awards (2008-09)". Online Film & Television Association. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  23. ^ "Little Dorrit (Masterpiece)". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  24. ^ "RTS Programme Winners 2009". Royal Television Society. 14 March 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  25. ^ "CRAFT & DESIGN AWARDS 2009". Royal Television Society. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  26. ^ "2009 Satellite Awards". Satellite Awards. International Press Academy. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  27. ^ "The Television and Radio Industries Club - TRIC Awards 2009 Nominees". 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  28. ^ "Writers' Guild Awards 2009". Writers' Guild of Great Britain. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  29. ^ "11th Costume Designers Guild Awards". Costume Designers Guild. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  30. ^ "Little Dorrit – Golden Globes". HFPA. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  31. ^ McNary, Dave (5 January 2010). "PGA unveils nominations". Variety. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
[edit]
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