An amazing cast (Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Francesca Annis, and many more) round out this mixture of various Elizabeth Gaskell stories, all set in one rural English village in the early 1840s. Lots of different stories are interwoven (and done so very well). Incredibly well done, from script to casting to costumes… although while I really liked it, I can’t imagine I would want to watch it again (but that’s just a personal taste thing). I particularly liked the range of women’s costuming, with the older great lady in late 18th century costume (altho how old would she have had to be to be dressing 18th century? wouldn’t she have been more appropriate in Regency styles?), the older town ladies in very 1820s-30s styles, and the younger ladies in current 1840-41 fashions.
