David Copperfield (1999 film)
Encyclopedia
David Copperfield is a two part BBC television drama
adaptation
of Charles Dickens
' novel David Copperfield
, adapted by Adrian Hodges
. The first part was shown on Christmas Day (December 25) and the second on Boxing Day
(December 26) in 1999. The production is notable for being the first screen work of actor Daniel Radcliffe
, who would later achieve fame as the star of the Harry Potter films
, where he would collaborate with his David Copperfield costar Maggie Smith
.
, three months after the death of his father, who was also called David Copperfield. On the night of David's birth, his Great-Aunt Betsey Trotwood arrives at the Rookery - the Copperfield family home - and eagerly anticipates the birth of a baby girl. She insists that Clara Copperfield's baby must be called Betsey Trotwood Copperfield, and that she will be her godmother. However, when the delivered child turns out to be a boy, Betsey is horrified (as her previous experiences with men have all ended tragically) and storms out, fuming. David grows up loved and cared for by Clara and their maid, Peggotty. When David turns eight, Clara meets and falls in love with Edward Murdstone, a stern man of whom David appears frightened and who takes an immediate dislike to David. Peggotty offers to take David with her to Yarmouth to visit her brother, Dan, and his family, and he accepts, forming a special bond with Dan's niece, Emily (or Little Em'ly). When they return, David sees, to his horror, that his mother has married Murdstone. Murdstone invites his equally-stern, sexist sister, Jane, to live with them, and the two Murdstones quickly dominate the household with their callous personalities. Clara briefly objects to having little to no say in the affairs of her own house, and Murdstone responds by asserting his authority and sending David to bed with no dinner, following with more strict and unfair rules upon Clara, David and Peggotty. When Murdstone canes David for falling behind in his studies (although it was Murdstone who deliberately asked David particularly difficult questions), David bites him severely and as punishment, is sent to Salem House, a boarding school owned by Murdstone's abusive friend, Creakle, who torments David on Murdstone's request. David's only comfort at the school is his friendship with James Steerforth, an older student from a wealthy and influential family.
David returns home for the holidays and makes amends with Murdstone, who has fathered a baby boy with Clara. Shortly after returning to Salem House, David is informed by Creakle that his mother and half-brother have died, and he returns home for the funeral. Peggotty is fired, but becomes engaged to a family friend, Mr. Barkis. With the Murdstones now in full control of the Rookery and David's future, Murdstone takes David out of Salem House and sends him to work in his black ink factory in London. Murdstone also arranges for David to live with his friend, Wilkins Micawber, who treats David like his own son, but is sent to a debtor's prison shortly afterwards. When he is released, he and his family are forced to move to Plymouth, leaving David homeless. David runs away from London to Dover, to find Betsey Trotwood in the hopes that she will take him in. Eventually he finds her, and despite Betsey's reluctance to have a boy in her house, she houses him, but writes to the Murdstones about this. Over the time, David bonds with Betsey's manservant, Mr. Dick, and Betsey herself begins to feel attachment to her great-nephew. Edward and Jane Murdstone eventually arrive to take David back, but Betsey, knowing full well of the abusive treatment Murdstone inflicted on both Clara and David, agrees to become David's legal guardian, giving Murdstone a verbal thrashing and angrily ordering him out of her house.
David, now going by the name "Trotwood Copperfield", soon resumes his education at a school in Canterbury. During his time at school he lodges with Betsey's friend, Mr. Wickfield, whose daughter Agnes is roughly the same age as David. They grow up together as very close friends. On leaving school, David decides to pursue a career as a clerk and he is apprenticed to a lawyer called Mr.Spenlow. David meets Mr. Spenlow's daughter Dora and falls in love with her at first sight.
Back at home, The Micawbers come for dinner, and Mr. Micawber reveals that he is now working for Uriah Heep. David reveals to Dora his love for her, and she reciprocates. On returning home that evening, he finds Aunt Trotwood on his doorstop declaring that she is ruined. David and Dora agree to a secret engagement due to his financial situation since he now without his aunt's support. David returns to Canterbury to see the Wickfields and discuss his aunt's situation, but nothing can be done. David reveals to Mr. Micawber (as the Micawbers are now living with the Wickfields) that he suspects Mr. Heep of trying to take control of Mr. Wickfield and his estate. David informs Agnes of his engagement to Dora. Mr. Heep declares his intentions to marry Agnes to Mr. Wickfield who responds with rage. The next day, Agnes tells David that her father has apologized to Mr. Heep since he is now too dependent on him. She appears to be reluctantly accepting of her potential marriage. Upon his next visit to Mr. Spenlow, he finds that his engagement to Dora has been discovered and not accepted and is advised to forget it. David refuses to give up Dora and tries once again to convince Mr. Spenlow of his worthiness, but discovers him dead of a heart attack.
David visits Yarmouth again after he receives a letter from Peggotty, informing that Barkis's health is deteriorating. Barkis eventually dies and leaves an astronomical £3,000 in his will - £2,000 to Dan Peggotty and £1,000 to Peggotty, his wife. Ham tells David that Emily has run off with Steerforth who has been hiding in the area visiting her in secret. Dan begins a search for them, which stretches to other parts of Europe. First he, David and Peggotty inform Steerforth's mother and friend, Rosa Dartle, of his disappearance who, in response, tell them that they will not allow Steerforth to marry Emily. David learns that Mr. Spenlow is bankrupt and comforts Dora. David then begins to write and starts to sell his stories. He introduces Dora to Agnes, and Dora and David get married. They struggle as a young couple with getting the house in order. David becomes frustrated by Dora's inability to be anything more than a 'child bride', but decides to adapt himself to her and their marriage is finally as happy as it should have been. Dora soon becomes pregnant, only to suffer a miscarriage which leaves her badly weakened and eventually bedridden.
David eventually finds Emily in a London slum where she is being confronted by Rosa Dartle. Steerforth had abandoned Emily and she had been living as a prostitute. Dan Peggotty also appears on the scene and promises Emily that they could start a new life as far away from Yarmouth as possible - in Australia. Emily begs David to take a letter of forgiveness to Ham, but on his arrival at Yarmouth the town is deserted and a fierce storm is raging. Steerforth appears in the water after his ship has capsized, but he and Ham drown during a rescue attempt. Back at home, Mr Micawber reveals that he has uncovered Heep's villainous scheme which has bankrupted both Mr Wickfield and Betsey Trotwood. Mr Wickfield summons the police and Heep is arrested. In thanks, Betsey Trotwood offers to pay for a fresh start for the Micawbers in Australia, but at the harbour are faced with a policeman who has a warrant for Mr Micawber's arrest - again for unpaid debts. Luckily, Betsey Trotwood arrives on the scene and pays off Mr Micawber's debts, leaving him free to board the boat to Australia. Dan and Emily join the Micawbers on the voyage to Australia. Peggotty insists that the news of Ham's death be kept from Emily until she is strong enough to cope. Dan invites his sister to join him in Australia, but she chooses to stay in England with David and Dora. Dora eventually dies and in his grief, David disappears for three years, during which time he continues to write and has his first two books published.
On David's return to Canterbury, he realizes that he loves Agnes Wickfield. After much prodding, Agnes reveals that she has always been in love with David, and even had Dora's dying approval. They are married and within a few years have two sons. David receives a visit from Mr. Peggotty. He brings news that Emily has made a full recovery from the emotional scars of her time as a prostitute, and that Mr. Micawber has established himself as a successful magistrate and bank manager. The story closes with the birth of David and Agnes's third child - a girl. Betsey Trotwood's wish finally comes true after nearly 30 years, as David decides that the baby will be christened Betsey Trotwood-Copperfield, in honour of her godmother.
BBC television drama
BBC television dramas have been produced and broadcast since even before the public service company had an officially established television broadcasting network in the United Kingdom...
adaptation
Adaptation
An adaptation in biology is a trait with a current functional role in the life history of an organism that is maintained and evolved by means of natural selection. An adaptation refers to both the current state of being adapted and to the dynamic evolutionary process that leads to the adaptation....
of Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
' novel David Copperfield
David Copperfield (novel)
The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery , commonly referred to as David Copperfield, is the eighth novel by Charles Dickens, first published as a novel in 1850. Like most of his works, it originally appeared in serial...
, adapted by Adrian Hodges
Adrian Hodges
Adrian Hodges is a British television and film writer.He began his career in journalism for Screen International magazine and his screenwriting debut was the 1991 television drama Tell Me That You Love Me, followed by screenplays for The Bridge and Tom & Viv for which Miranda Richardson and...
. The first part was shown on Christmas Day (December 25) and the second on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
(December 26) in 1999. The production is notable for being the first screen work of actor Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Jacob Radcliffe is an English actor who rose to prominence playing the titular character in the Harry Potter film series....
, who would later achieve fame as the star of the Harry Potter films
Harry Potter (film series)
The Harry Potter film series is a British-American film series based on the Harry Potter novels by the British author J. K. Rowling...
, where he would collaborate with his David Copperfield costar Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith
Dame Margaret Natalie Smith, DBE , better known as Maggie Smith, is an English film, stage, and television actress who made her stage debut in 1952 and is still performing after 59 years...
.
Part one
David Copperfield is a posthumous child. He was born in Blunderstone, SuffolkSuffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, three months after the death of his father, who was also called David Copperfield. On the night of David's birth, his Great-Aunt Betsey Trotwood arrives at the Rookery - the Copperfield family home - and eagerly anticipates the birth of a baby girl. She insists that Clara Copperfield's baby must be called Betsey Trotwood Copperfield, and that she will be her godmother. However, when the delivered child turns out to be a boy, Betsey is horrified (as her previous experiences with men have all ended tragically) and storms out, fuming. David grows up loved and cared for by Clara and their maid, Peggotty. When David turns eight, Clara meets and falls in love with Edward Murdstone, a stern man of whom David appears frightened and who takes an immediate dislike to David. Peggotty offers to take David with her to Yarmouth to visit her brother, Dan, and his family, and he accepts, forming a special bond with Dan's niece, Emily (or Little Em'ly). When they return, David sees, to his horror, that his mother has married Murdstone. Murdstone invites his equally-stern, sexist sister, Jane, to live with them, and the two Murdstones quickly dominate the household with their callous personalities. Clara briefly objects to having little to no say in the affairs of her own house, and Murdstone responds by asserting his authority and sending David to bed with no dinner, following with more strict and unfair rules upon Clara, David and Peggotty. When Murdstone canes David for falling behind in his studies (although it was Murdstone who deliberately asked David particularly difficult questions), David bites him severely and as punishment, is sent to Salem House, a boarding school owned by Murdstone's abusive friend, Creakle, who torments David on Murdstone's request. David's only comfort at the school is his friendship with James Steerforth, an older student from a wealthy and influential family.
David returns home for the holidays and makes amends with Murdstone, who has fathered a baby boy with Clara. Shortly after returning to Salem House, David is informed by Creakle that his mother and half-brother have died, and he returns home for the funeral. Peggotty is fired, but becomes engaged to a family friend, Mr. Barkis. With the Murdstones now in full control of the Rookery and David's future, Murdstone takes David out of Salem House and sends him to work in his black ink factory in London. Murdstone also arranges for David to live with his friend, Wilkins Micawber, who treats David like his own son, but is sent to a debtor's prison shortly afterwards. When he is released, he and his family are forced to move to Plymouth, leaving David homeless. David runs away from London to Dover, to find Betsey Trotwood in the hopes that she will take him in. Eventually he finds her, and despite Betsey's reluctance to have a boy in her house, she houses him, but writes to the Murdstones about this. Over the time, David bonds with Betsey's manservant, Mr. Dick, and Betsey herself begins to feel attachment to her great-nephew. Edward and Jane Murdstone eventually arrive to take David back, but Betsey, knowing full well of the abusive treatment Murdstone inflicted on both Clara and David, agrees to become David's legal guardian, giving Murdstone a verbal thrashing and angrily ordering him out of her house.
David, now going by the name "Trotwood Copperfield", soon resumes his education at a school in Canterbury. During his time at school he lodges with Betsey's friend, Mr. Wickfield, whose daughter Agnes is roughly the same age as David. They grow up together as very close friends. On leaving school, David decides to pursue a career as a clerk and he is apprenticed to a lawyer called Mr.Spenlow. David meets Mr. Spenlow's daughter Dora and falls in love with her at first sight.
Part two
David sees Agnes at a party in London. David is less happy to see Uriah Heep, Mr Wickfield's clerk, there as well. David tells Agnes of his love for Dora before running into his old friend, Steerforth. Later Uriah discloses to David his determination to marry Agnes and threatens David not to tell Agnes or Mr. Wickfield of his intentions. Soon after, David enjoys an unplanned visit with the Micawbers before visiting Steerforth at his mother's home. David and Steerforth travel to Yarmouth where David visits Peggotty and Mr. Barkis, who has taken ill, before he and Steerforth visit the Peggotty family. Dan, Ham, Emily and Mrs.Gummidge are still living in the boat house. David learns that Ham and Emily will soon be married. Emily confides in David that she does not believe herself to be good enough for Ham, and ignores David's reassurances that Ham loves her more than anyone could. David makes one final stop to visit Peggotty and informs her that he plans on becoming engaged to Dora.Back at home, The Micawbers come for dinner, and Mr. Micawber reveals that he is now working for Uriah Heep. David reveals to Dora his love for her, and she reciprocates. On returning home that evening, he finds Aunt Trotwood on his doorstop declaring that she is ruined. David and Dora agree to a secret engagement due to his financial situation since he now without his aunt's support. David returns to Canterbury to see the Wickfields and discuss his aunt's situation, but nothing can be done. David reveals to Mr. Micawber (as the Micawbers are now living with the Wickfields) that he suspects Mr. Heep of trying to take control of Mr. Wickfield and his estate. David informs Agnes of his engagement to Dora. Mr. Heep declares his intentions to marry Agnes to Mr. Wickfield who responds with rage. The next day, Agnes tells David that her father has apologized to Mr. Heep since he is now too dependent on him. She appears to be reluctantly accepting of her potential marriage. Upon his next visit to Mr. Spenlow, he finds that his engagement to Dora has been discovered and not accepted and is advised to forget it. David refuses to give up Dora and tries once again to convince Mr. Spenlow of his worthiness, but discovers him dead of a heart attack.
David visits Yarmouth again after he receives a letter from Peggotty, informing that Barkis's health is deteriorating. Barkis eventually dies and leaves an astronomical £3,000 in his will - £2,000 to Dan Peggotty and £1,000 to Peggotty, his wife. Ham tells David that Emily has run off with Steerforth who has been hiding in the area visiting her in secret. Dan begins a search for them, which stretches to other parts of Europe. First he, David and Peggotty inform Steerforth's mother and friend, Rosa Dartle, of his disappearance who, in response, tell them that they will not allow Steerforth to marry Emily. David learns that Mr. Spenlow is bankrupt and comforts Dora. David then begins to write and starts to sell his stories. He introduces Dora to Agnes, and Dora and David get married. They struggle as a young couple with getting the house in order. David becomes frustrated by Dora's inability to be anything more than a 'child bride', but decides to adapt himself to her and their marriage is finally as happy as it should have been. Dora soon becomes pregnant, only to suffer a miscarriage which leaves her badly weakened and eventually bedridden.
David eventually finds Emily in a London slum where she is being confronted by Rosa Dartle. Steerforth had abandoned Emily and she had been living as a prostitute. Dan Peggotty also appears on the scene and promises Emily that they could start a new life as far away from Yarmouth as possible - in Australia. Emily begs David to take a letter of forgiveness to Ham, but on his arrival at Yarmouth the town is deserted and a fierce storm is raging. Steerforth appears in the water after his ship has capsized, but he and Ham drown during a rescue attempt. Back at home, Mr Micawber reveals that he has uncovered Heep's villainous scheme which has bankrupted both Mr Wickfield and Betsey Trotwood. Mr Wickfield summons the police and Heep is arrested. In thanks, Betsey Trotwood offers to pay for a fresh start for the Micawbers in Australia, but at the harbour are faced with a policeman who has a warrant for Mr Micawber's arrest - again for unpaid debts. Luckily, Betsey Trotwood arrives on the scene and pays off Mr Micawber's debts, leaving him free to board the boat to Australia. Dan and Emily join the Micawbers on the voyage to Australia. Peggotty insists that the news of Ham's death be kept from Emily until she is strong enough to cope. Dan invites his sister to join him in Australia, but she chooses to stay in England with David and Dora. Dora eventually dies and in his grief, David disappears for three years, during which time he continues to write and has his first two books published.
On David's return to Canterbury, he realizes that he loves Agnes Wickfield. After much prodding, Agnes reveals that she has always been in love with David, and even had Dora's dying approval. They are married and within a few years have two sons. David receives a visit from Mr. Peggotty. He brings news that Emily has made a full recovery from the emotional scars of her time as a prostitute, and that Mr. Micawber has established himself as a successful magistrate and bank manager. The story closes with the birth of David and Agnes's third child - a girl. Betsey Trotwood's wish finally comes true after nearly 30 years, as David decides that the baby will be christened Betsey Trotwood-Copperfield, in honour of her godmother.
Characters
- Mark Doran as David Copperfield (Baby)
- Daniel RadcliffeDaniel RadcliffeDaniel Jacob Radcliffe is an English actor who rose to prominence playing the titular character in the Harry Potter film series....
as David Copperfield (Young) - Ciarán McMenaminCiarán McMenaminCiarán McMenamin is an Irish actor who is now living in South London. He is best known for playing Matt Anderson, replacing Jason Flemyng as lead on Primeval.- Early life :...
as David Copperfield (Adult) - Emilia FoxEmilia FoxEmilia Rose Elizabeth Fox is an award-winning English actress, known for her role as Dr. Nikki Alexander on BBC crime drama Silent Witness, having joined the cast in 2004 following the departure of Amanda Burton. She also appears as Morgause in the BBC's Merlin beginning in the programme's second...
as Clara Copperfield - Maggie SmithMaggie SmithDame Margaret Natalie Smith, DBE , better known as Maggie Smith, is an English film, stage, and television actress who made her stage debut in 1952 and is still performing after 59 years...
as Betsey TrotwoodBetsey TrotwoodBetsey Trotwood is a fictional character from Charles Dickens' 1850 novel David Copperfield.-Role in novel:She is David's great-aunt on his father's side, and has an unfavourable view of men and boys, having been ill-used and abandoned by a worthless husband earlier in life... - Trevor EveTrevor EveTrevor John Eve is a British film and television actor. In 1979 he gained fame as the eponymous lead in the detective series Shoestring and is also known for his role as Detective Superintendent Peter Boyd in BBC television drama Waking the Dead.-Early life:Eve was born in Sutton Coldfield,...
as Edward MurdstoneEdward MurdstoneEdward Murdstone is a fictional character and one of the primary antagonists in the first part of the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield... - Zoë WanamakerZoe WanamakerZoë Wanamaker, CBE is an American-British actress. She has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company; in films, including the Harry Potter series; and in a number of television productions, including a long-time role as Susan Harper in the sitcom My Family.-Early life and family:Wanamaker was...
as Jane Murdstone - Pauline QuirkePauline QuirkePauline Perpetua Quirke is a British actress. She is best known for her role as Sharon in the comedy series Birds of a Feather, alongside her lifelong friend and frequent acting partner Linda Robson...
as Clara PeggottyPeggottyClara Peggotty is a fictional character in Charles Dickens's 1850 novel David Copperfield.Referred to as 'Peggotty' so as not to confuse her with David's mother, who is also called Clara, Peggotty is the housekeeper of the family home and plays a big part in David's upbringing. Peggotty is the... - Michael ElphickMichael ElphickMichael John Elphick was an English actor. Elphick was known in the UK for his trademark croaky voice and his work on British television, in particular his roles as the eponymous private investigator in the ITV series Boon and later Harry Slater in BBC's EastEnders.Robust and ruggedly good-looking...
as Barkis - Alun ArmstrongAlun Armstrong (actor)Alun Armstrong is a prolific British character actor. Armstrong grew up in County Durham in North East England. He first became interested in acting through Shakespeare productions at his grammar school. Since his career began in the early 1970s, he has played, in his words, "the full spectrum of...
as Dan Peggotty. - James ThorntonJames Thornton (actor)James Thornton is an English actor and Voice-over artist.-Early life and career:Thornton was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He starred in the BBC One police series Holby Blue and currently appears as John Barton in the British soap opera Emmerdale...
as Ham Peggotty. - Patsy ByrnePatsy ByrnePatsy Byrne is an English actress.-Biography:She was educated at Ashford School for Girls, and attended the school around the same time as Lorna Fendall, and Joanna Brough, daughter of Arthur Brough...
as Mrs Gummidge - Laura HarlingLaura HarlingLaura Harling in England, is a British actress.In 1995, aged nine, she played the granddaughter of Belle, Scrooge's former fiancée, in an adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol with the Royal Shakespeare Company...
as Emily Peggotty (child) - Aislin McGuckinAislín McGuckinAislín McGuckin is a Northern-Irish actress.McGuckin was born in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. Since 2004 Aislin McGuckin is married to Aidan McArdle. She is best known from her role as Dr. Liz Merrick in Heartbeat and being one of the two doctors to survive alive...
as Emily Peggotty (adult) - Ian McKellenIan McKellenSir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE is an English actor. He has received a Tony Award, two Academy Award nominations, and five Emmy Award nominations. His work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction...
as Mr Creakle - Harry LloydHarry LloydHarry Lloyd is an English actor. He played Will Scarlet in the first two seasons of the BBC drama Robin Hood which began in 2006...
as James SteerforthJames SteerforthJames Steerforth is a character in the novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. He is a handsome young man noted for his wit and romantic charm. Though he is well liked by his friends, he proves himself to be lacking in consideration for others....
(Young) - Oliver MilburnOliver MilburnOliver Milburn , occasionally known by the name Oz Milburn, is an English actor.-Early life:Milburn was born in Dorset and educated at the Dragon School in Oxford, and then Eton College. He then went straight into television, with no formal acting training.-Career:He played Matthew Bannerman in...
as James Steerforth (Adult)
- Cherie LunghiCherie LunghiCherie M. Lunghi is an English film, television and theatre actress. She is probably best known for her role as Guinevere in the 1981 film Excalibur, as football manageress Gabriella Benson in the 1990s television series The Manageress and for starring in a series of adverts for Kenco coffee. She...
as Mrs Steerforth - Kenneth MacDonaldKenneth MacDonaldKenneth MacDonald was an English actor who was best known for the parts of Gunner Nobby Clark in It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Mike Fisher in Only Fools and Horses.-Personal life:...
as Littimer - Bob HoskinsBob HoskinsRobert William "Bob" Hoskins, Jr. is an English actor known for playing Cockney rough diamonds, psychopaths and gangsters, in films such as The Long Good Friday , and Mona Lisa , and lighter roles in family films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Hook .- Early life :Hoskins was born in Bury St...
as Wilkins MicawberWilkins MicawberWilkins Micawber is a fictional character from Charles Dickens's 1850 novel, David Copperfield. He was modelled on Dickens's father, John Dickens, who like Micawber was incarcerated in debtors' prison after failing to meet his creditors' demands.Micawber's long-suffering wife, Emma, stands by him... - Imelda StauntonImelda StauntonImelda Mary Philomena Bernadette Staunton, OBE is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for her performances in the British comedy television series Up the Garden Path, the Harry Potter film series and Vera Drake...
as Mrs Micawber - Dawn French as Mrs Crupp.
- Paul WhitehousePaul WhitehousePaul Whitehouse is a Welsh actor, writer and comedian. He became known for his work with Harry Enfield and as one of the stars of the popular BBC sketch show, The Fast Show. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was in the top 50 comedy acts voted for by comedians and comedy insiders...
as the Pawnbroker - Ian McNeiceIan McNeiceIan McNeice is a prolific English screen, stage, and television character actor.-Early life:McNeice was born in Basingstoke in Hampshire. McNeice's acting training started at the Taunton School in Somerset, followed by two years at the Salisbury Playhouse...
as Mr. Dick - James GroutJames GroutJames Grout is an English actor of radio and television.Grout was born in London, the son of Beatrice Anne and William Grout...
as Mr Spenlow - Joanna PageJoanna PageJoanna Louise Page is a Welsh actress, best known for playing Stacey in the television series, Gavin and Stacey.-Early and personal life:...
as Dora Spenlow - Nicholas LyndhurstNicholas LyndhurstNicholas Simon Lyndhurst is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, Gary Sparrow in Goodnight Sweetheart, and as Adam Parkinson in Carla Lane's series Butterflies...
as Uriah HeepUriah HeepUriah Heep is a fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield.The character is notable for his cloying humility, obsequiousness, and insincerity, making frequent references to his own "'umbleness". His name has become synonymous with being a yes man... - Thelma BarlowThelma BarlowThelma Barlow is an English television actress and writer, most famous for her roles as Mavis Wilton in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street and as Dolly Bellfield in the sitcom Dinnerladies....
as Mrs Heep - Oliver Ford DaviesOliver Ford Davies-Biography:From the King's School, Canterbury, he won a scholarship to Merton College, Oxford, where he read History and became President of the Oxford University Dramatic Society . He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award in 1990 for Best Actor in a New Play for Racing Demon...
as Mr Wickfield - Antonia Corrigan as Agnes Wickfield (Young)
- Morgane Slemp as Clara (Young)
- Amanda RyanAmanda RyanAmanda Ryan is a British actress who trained at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She is best known for her role on TV series Shameless as Sgt...
as Agnes Wickfield (Adult) - Clare HolmanClare HolmanClare Margaret Holman is an English actress, perhaps most famous for her role of forensic pathologist Dr. Laura Hobson in the television series Inspector Morse and Lewis.-Acting:...
as Rosa Dartle - Tom WilkinsonTom WilkinsonThomas Geoffrey "Tom" Wilkinson, OBE is a British actor. He has twice been nominated for an Academy Award for his roles in In the Bedroom and Michael Clayton...
as Narrator (as old David)
Key locations featured in the story
- Blunderstone is the village in Norfolk where David Copperfield was born. He lived at a house called The Rookery with his mother Clara and servant Peggotty. When Clara Copperfield married Mr Murdstone, he moved into the house and was soon joined by his sister. Their presence turned the house into an unhappy place and David suffered particular cruelty, being sent away to Salem House boarding school after he bit Mr Murdstone during a beating. David finally left Blunderstone after his mother's death, when Mr Murdstone sent him to work in London.
- YarmouthGreat YarmouthGreat Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
is the Norfolk seaside town where Peggotty's relatives lived in a boat house with their friend Mrs Gummidge. David visited the place as a child and returned about a decade later to visit the Peggotty family. After Ham's death, Dan, Emily and Mrs Gummidge moved to Australia to start a new life - something which was particularly beneficial to Emily after her traumatic life as a prostitute which evolved from her affair with Steerforth.
- Salem House is the London boarding school where David Copperfield was sent after he bit Mr Murdstone. The cruel headteacher, Mr Creakle, was a friend of Mr Murdstone and singled out David for extra torment. David left the school after his mother's death, when he was sent to work at Mr Murdstone's blacking factory.
- LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
first features in the story when David was sent to work in Mr Murdstone's blacking shop. He lived with the financially-troubled Mr Micawber, who served time in a debtor's prison, until the Micawbers moved to Plymouth. David then decided to go to Dover in the hope that Betsey Trotwood would take him in. London featured again in the story when David began his working life as a clerk and was apprenticed to a lawyer called Mr Spenlow. During his time in London, David met Dora Spenlow - who was to be his first wife.
- DoverDoverDover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings...
is the seaside town in Kent where David went to find Betsey Trotwood after the Micawbers left London. She agreed to take him in and he lived at the house with Betsey and her lodger Mr Dick.
- CanterburyCanterburyCanterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
is the city where David Copperfield resumed his education. He grew up as a lodger at the house of Mr Wickfield, Betsey's Trotwood's lifelong friend, whose daughter Agnes eventually became David's second wife and mother of their three children. Also living at the house was Mr Wickfield's lurking clerk Uriah Heep, who was eventually discovered to have committed fraud against Mr Wickfield.
- HighgateHighgateHighgate is an area of North London on the north-eastern corner of Hampstead Heath.Highgate is one of the most expensive London suburbs in which to live. It has an active conservation body, the Highgate Society, to protect its character....
is the mansion where James Steerforth lived with his mother Mrs Steerforth and his cousin Rosa Dartle. David visited the house several times, first after he met Steerforth for the first time since his schooldays, again when he informed Mrs Steerforth that her son had run away with Emily, and last of all when he informed Mrs Steerforth that her son has drowned at Yarmouth.