I've beem watching this series (again) over the past couple of weeks. Mrs Gaskell, whose book this series is based on, is another of the few 19th century UK writers to get through the barriers to entry for women and get published. Her books are not only entertaining but often more informative as to social history than the dry tomes of academia. This is an excellent series but probably only for the incurable romantics like myself and it has some really fine actors. Michael Gambon gives an outstanding performance, he usually does, he's got such a range of abilities. Keeley Hawes I've admired for years and over those years she's developed a capacity for almost any type of part. The main character of Mollie is carried off very well by Justine Waddell whom I don't know at all. And there is a host of other well known actors here with performances to enjoy.
