Episodes

Part One

Michael Henchard, in a drunken rage, auctions his wife Susan and infant child to a passing seaman. Realising his folly, Henchard makes an oath to avoid alcohol for twenty-one years, prospering as a grain-trader and Mayor of Casterbridge. After eighteen years, newly widowed Susan and her grown daughter, Elizabeth-Jane, seek out an apparently changed Henchard. Partly from guilt, Henchard agrees to remarry Susan, on condition she stay silent on his past. Henchard hires a business manager, Farfrae, who quickly gains popularity, while Henchard’s dark nature resurfaces.

98m

Episode 2

Part Two

Henchard's daughter, Elizabeth-Jane is now working for his one-time lover Lucetta who, having been tentatively engaged to Henchard, now becomes interested in his rival Farfrae. The jealously furious Henchard plans to ruin Farfrae, but Henchard himself is coming undone.

98m

Cast

Ciarán Hinds

Michael Henchard

Juliet Aubrey

Susan

Jodhi May

Elizabeth-Jane

James Purefoy

Donald Farfrae

Alex Kelly

Maid

Polly Walker

Lucetta Templeman

Ben Crompton

Abel Whittle

David Bradley

Councillor Vatt

Trevor Peacock

Christopher Coney

Richard Moore

Councillor Chalkfield

Crew

Thomas Hardy

Writer

Ted Whitehead

Screenplay

David Thacker

Director

Ivan Strasburg

Cinematography

St. John O'Rorke

Editor

Jill Trevellick

Casting

Bruce Macadie

Production Design

Emma MacDevitt

Art Direction

Patrick Rolfe