Steven Knight has developed the upcoming period drama series ‘Great Expectations’ which is adapted from British novelists Charles Dickens’ renowned same-named novel.
There have been a number of adaptations of ‘Great Expectations’ before including both films and television series. This new tv adaptation is done by Steven Knight and follows the coming-of-age story of the orphan Pip and his journey through the different mores of life as fate and plots take him to the ups and downs of life.
On his way to fulfilling expectations, he met people like the kind-hearted brother-in-law Joe, the beautiful Estella, the mysterious Miss Havisham, the villainous Magwitch, etc.
When Is Great Expectations Releasing?
Knight previously adapted and developed another Dickensian novella ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 2019. It was announced in May 2020 that he would be developing another tv series adapted from Dickens’ novel collaborating between BBC and FX.
The cast members were announced in February of 2022. Filming commenced in March of that year. The series is set to premiere on March 26, 2023, on FX on Hulu.
Cast Members of Upcoming TV Series ‘Great Expectations:
Fionn Whitehead-
The role of protagonist Pip is going to be played by English actor Fionn Whitehead in the upcoming series. Last year he portrayed Branwell Brontë in the biographical drama movie ‘Emily’ starring Emma Mackey in the titular role for which he was nominated for two British Independent Film Awards.
His other important television series and films include ‘Him’, ‘Dunkirk’, ‘Queers’, ‘The Children Act’, ‘Black Mirror: Bandersnatch‘, etc.
Olivia Colman-
Academy Award winner Olivia Colman will be portraying the character of the eccentric spinster with immense wealth- Miss Havisham, a character that has previously been played by Florence Reed, Martita Hunt, Jean Simmons, Gillian Anderson, Helena Bonham Carter, etc.
In 2019 she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for starring in the black period comedy-drama ‘The Favourite as Queen Anne. She also got two other Academy Award nominations for the psychological drama films The Father and ‘The Lost Daughter’.
Her other major Awards include eight BAFTA nominations including four wins, four Primetime Emmy nominations including one win, etc.
Her other acclaimed films and tv series are ‘Twenty Twelve’, ‘Accused’, ‘Broadchurch’, ‘Rev.’, ‘Fleabag‘, ‘Landscapers’, ‘The Night Manager’, ‘The Crown‘, ‘Empire of Light’, ‘Tyrannosaur’, ‘Hyde Park on Hudson’, ‘The Lobster’, ‘Peep Show’, etc.
Shalom Brune-Franklin-
English Australian actress Shalom Brune-Franklin will portray Estella in the upcoming series. From 2016 to 2017 she played the role of Aoife in the Australian tv series ‘Doctor Doctor’.
In 2017 she starred as Umm Khulthum in the four-part miniseries ‘The State’. She also played Maisie Richards as a series regular in BBC One’s military drama series ‘Our Girl’ from 2017 to 2018.
Her other television credits include ‘Bad Mothers’, ‘Cursed‘, ‘Roadkill’, ‘Line of Duty’, ‘The Tourist’ etc.
Owen McDonnell-
The loving blacksmith Joe will be portrayed by Irish actor Owen McDonnell. He also starred in the tv series ‘Single-Handed’, ‘Wild Decembers’, ‘Mount Pleasant’, ‘An Bronntanas’, ‘An Klondike’, ‘My Mother and Other Strangers’, ‘Paula’, ‘Killing Eve’, ‘Three Families’, etc.
Johnny Harris-
The character of Magwitch will be portrayed by English actor Johnny Harris. His other television credits include ‘This Is England ’86’, ‘The Fades’, ‘This Is England ’88’, ‘Fortitude’, ‘This is England ’90’, ‘From Darkness’, ‘Troy: Fall of a City‘, ‘Medici’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘The Salisbury Poisonings’, etc.
Ashley Thomas-
English actor and rapper Ashley Thomas will be seen in the role of Jaggers in the upcoming series. His other television credits include ’24: Legacy’, ‘Salvation’, ‘Them: Covenant’, ‘The Ipcress File’, etc.
Hayley Squires-
The role of Sara will be played by English actress Hayley Squires in the upcoming series. Her other television credits include ‘Collateral’, ‘Adult Material’, ‘The Essex Serpent’, etc.
Trystan Gravelle-
The main antagonist of the story Compeyson whose role in Pip’s life is very significant will be played by Welsh actor Trystan Gravelle.
Some of his other television credits include ‘Mr. Selfridge’, ‘The Aliens, ‘National Treasure’, ‘The Terror’, ‘A Discovery of Witches, ‘Baptiste’, ‘Britannia’, ‘Quiz’, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power‘, etc.
Matt Berry-
BAFTA TV Award winner English actor Matt Berry will be playing the role of Mr. Pumblechuck in the upcoming series.
His other television credits include ‘Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace’, ‘The Mighty Boosh’, ‘Snuff Box’, ‘Man to Man with Dean Learner’, ‘The IT Crowd’, ‘The Sarah Silverman Program’, ‘Toast of London’, ‘House of Fools, ‘Disenchantment’, ‘Moominvalley’, ‘What We Do In The Shadows’, ‘Year of the Rabbit’, ‘Twelve Forever’, ‘The Watch’, ‘The Book of Boba Fett’, ‘Toast of Tinseltown’, etc.
He will also be voice cast in the upcoming adult animated series ‘Krapopolis’.
