The generous John Jarndyce, struggling with his own past, and his two young wards Richard and Ada, are all caught up, like Lady Dedlock, in the infamous case of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce, which will make one of them rich beyond imagination if it can ever be brought to a conclusion. As Tulkinghorn digs deeper into Lady Dedlock's past, he unearths a secret that will change their lives forever, and which is almost as astounding as the final outcome of the Jarndyce case.
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The generous John Jarndyce, struggling with his own past, and his two young wards Richard and Ada, are all caught up, like Lady Dedlock, in the infamous case of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce, which will make one of them rich beyond imagination if it can ever be brought to a conclusion. As Tulkinghorn digs deeper into Lady Dedlock's past, he unearths a secret that will change their lives forever, and which is almost as astounding as the final outcome of the Jarndyce case.
Cast, crew and production details
About Bleak House
Cast
Anna Maxwell MartinEsther Summerson
Denis LawsonJohn Jarndyce
Carey MulliganAda Clare
Gillian AndersonLady Dedlock
Charles DanceMr. Tulkinghorn
Patrick KennedyRichard Carstone
Richard HarringtonAllan Woodcourt
Natalie PressCaddy Jellyby
Credits
Written by
Andrew Davies, Charles Dickens
Production details
Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
15
Original language
English
Networks & production
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
Smallweed ProductionsUnited Kingdom
BBCUnited Kingdom
GBHUnited States
Themes
inheritanceminiseriesperiod drama
Season 1 episodes
Watch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.
Episode 1
Episode 1
58m7.8 / 10
Young orphan Esther Summerson is brought to the High Court of Chancery, where she is thrown together with two wards of the court, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare. Both are caught up in the infamous suit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, which brings nothing but ruin and despair to all it touches. Esther, Richard and Ada are sent to live at Bleak House, where they receive a friendly welcome from their rich guardian John Jarndyce.
Directed by Justin ChadwickWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Liza Tarbuck, Johnny Vegas, Tony Haygarth, Anne Reid, John Lynch, Nathaniel Parker, Pauline Collins, Emma Williams
Despite his grim discovery, Tulkinghorn remains undeterred from his ruthless inquiry into Lady Dedlock's past. A young crossing sweeper, Jo, may hold a key to the mystery. Krook discovers evidence in Nemo's room which could provide a crucial clue. Richard and Ada plan their engagement, but receive an unexpected setback. And as Richard begins a career in medicine, Esther meets an attractive young doctor called Allan Woodcourt.
Directed by Justin ChadwickWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Joanna David, Johnny Vegas, Anne Reid, Richard Griffiths, John Lynch, Nathaniel Parker, Warren Clarke, Pauline Collins
As Tulkinghorn edges closer to the truth, Lady Dedlock puts her reputation at risk when she pays an undercover visit to Nemo's former haunts. John Jarndyce finds himself increasingly attracted to Esther, but Richard makes an announcement which causes him dismay. And Woodcourt has news that comes as a terrible blow to Esther.
Directed by Justin ChadwickWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Joanna David, Johnny Vegas, Tony Haygarth, Richard Griffiths, Nathaniel Parker, Pauline Collins, Matthew Kelly, Ian Richardson
A chance encounter in the country raises intriguing questions for Esther and Lady Dedlock. Legal clerk Guppy, still besotted with Esther, discovers surprising new information about her past and decides to dig deeper still. And Lady Dedlock's secret is far from safe, as Tulkinghorn stumbles across a lead which could destroy her reputation forever.
Directed by Justin ChadwickWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Catherine Tate, Robert Pugh, Johnny Vegas, Nathaniel Parker, Alun Armstrong, Warren Clarke, Emma Williams, Alistair McGowan
Richard's inability to settle causes a rift with John Jarndyce, much to Ada's dismay. Tulkinghorn finally unearths the possible identity of the mysterious Nemo. Nemo's old friend Sergeant George has the evidence he needs to prove it and Tulkinghorn will stop at nothing to force George to hand it over. But George has even more problems when Gridley turns up on his doorstep, on the run from the law and infected with the fever.
Directed by Justin ChadwickWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Phil Davis, Anne Reid, Hugo Speer, Alun Armstrong, Pauline Collins, Alistair McGowan, Matthew Kelly, Ian Richardson
George's future is put at risk as Tulkinghorn uses the evil moneylender Smallweed to pile on the pressure. Guppy makes a discovery about Esther which shocks Lady Dedlock to the core. Esther and Jarndyce take in Jo the crossing sweeper, who is seriously ill and on the run from Tulkinghorn's men. But their kindness produces an unexpected result.
Directed by Justin ChadwickWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Phil Davis, Johnny Vegas, Hugo Speer, Nathaniel Parker, Alun Armstrong, Richard Cant, Emma Williams, Di Botcher
George has to make an impossible decision when Tulkinghorn and Smallweed turn up the heat on his debts. Guppy's quest for information takes him back to Krook's shop, with explosive results. Jarndyce is beside himself when tragedy strikes Bleak House.
Directed by Justin ChadwickWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Phil Davis, Johnny Vegas, Anne Reid, Hugo Speer, Alun Armstrong, Pauline Collins, Richard Cant, Katie Angelou
Tulkinghorn is now close to piecing together Lady Dedlock's secret. Esther struggles to come to terms with the terrible blow she has been dealt. Jarndyce agonises over whether to keep his own feelings for Esther concealed. Lady Dedlock tells Esther something that will change her life for ever.
Directed by Susanna WhiteWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Phil Davis, Anne Reid, Hugo Speer, Warren Clarke, Pauline Collins, Katie Angelou, Tom Georgeson
Esther is shattered by Lady Dedlock's revelation. Richard's obsession with the Jarndyce case has grown to worrying proportions. Guppy puts himself at risk when he gets in the way of Tulkinghorn's enquiries. And Tulkinghorn at last has cast iron proof of Lady Dedlock's guilt, and issues her with a terrible ultimatum.
Directed by Justin ChadwickWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Phil Davis, Nathaniel Parker, Warren Clarke, Pauline Collins, Emma Williams, Dermot Crowley, Ian Richardson, Katie Angelou
Tulkinghorn believes Lady Dedlock is in his power, but she continues to defy him. George's anger knows no bounds when Tulkinghorn breaks his promise and leaves him in financial ruin. And a marriage proposal surprises Esther - but is it from the right man?
Directed by Susanna WhiteWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Hugo Speer, Nathaniel Parker, Alun Armstrong, Pauline Collins, Sheila Hancock, Emma Williams, Dermot Crowley, Matthew Kelly
Richard is in dire straits but Ada and Esther may be too late to help him. An unexpected meeting with Woodcourt raises uncomfortable questions for Esther. Jo the crossing sweeper is critically ill, and despite Woodcourt's best attempts it is a matter of life and death. Tulkinghorn discovers Lady Dedlock's defiance with disastrous consequences.
Directed by Susanna WhiteWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Anne Reid, Hugo Speer, Pauline Collins, Richard Cant, Emma Williams, Dermot Crowley, Katie Angelou, Charlie Brooks
Esther's feelings for Woodcourt grow stronger despite her best intentions. Inspector Bucket begins his murder investigation with no shortage of suspects. An early arrest appears to wrap the case up quickly, but a spate of poison pen letters suggests that all is not as it seems.
Directed by Susanna WhiteWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Phil Davis, Hugo Speer, Alun Armstrong, Richard Cant, Dermot Crowley, Matthew Kelly, Timothy West, Lilo Baur
Richard and Ada's news causes great concern for Esther and Jarndyce. Inspector Bucket's investigation gathers steam when he tracks down the mysterious letter writer. As evidence mounts against Lady Dedlock, Bucket sets a trap for the killer - with astonishing results.
Directed by Susanna WhiteWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Phil Davis, Anne Reid, Hugo Speer, Alun Armstrong, Richard Cant, Matthew Kelly, Timothy West, Lilo Baur
As Bucket wraps up his investigation, there's yet more trouble for Lady Dedlock in the shape of the evil moneylender Smallweed, who has evidence of her secret past and intends to use it. Cornered and desperate, Lady Dedlock makes a terrible decision.
Directed by Susanna WhiteWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Phil Davis, Anne Reid, Hugo Speer, Nathaniel Parker, Alun Armstrong, Richard Cant, Dermot Crowley, Katie Angelou
Richard's obsession with Chancery has left him desperately ill. Ada is pregnant but worries Richard will not live to see the child. When Woodcourt proposes marriage, Esther is torn between her love for him and her commitment to Jarndyce. The impossible finally happens - a result in Chancery - but it's one that will astound everybody.
Directed by Susanna WhiteWritten by Andrew DaviesGuest stars Phil Davis, Anne Reid, Hugo Speer, Nathaniel Parker, Alun Armstrong, Warren Clarke, Pauline Collins, Sheila Hancock
