The Old Curiosity Shop | Star Studded Period drama @ Memorable TV

THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP

One of the highlights of ITV1's Christmas line up is a star studded adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop which airs on Boxing Day (26 December) @ 9.00pm. The wonderful Derek Jacobi headlines as Grandfather alongside Toby Jones as the villainous Quilp.

The Old Curiosity Shop also stars Zoe Wanamaker, Martin Freeman, Gina McKee, Bradley Walsh, Steve Pemberton, Anna Madeley, Josie Lawrence and Sophie Vavasseur as Little Nell.

Further cast in the single drama, made by Carnival Films, include Adrian Rawlins, Adam Godley , Bryan Dick, Charlene McKenna, Geoff Bretton and George MacKay.

In the drama Little Nell Trent (Vavasseur) lives with her doting grandfather (Jacobi) in his London shop. It is a magical place, filled from wall to wall with dust-laden treasures, known as The Old Curiosity Shop. Grandfather keeps his nocturnal gambling activities a secret, borrowing heavily from evil, profiteering loan shark Daniel Quilp (Jones). When he gambles away what little money they possess, Quilp seizes the opportunity to take possession of their beloved shop. It seems Nell and Grandfather are left with only one option - to escape.

The pair fall in with a number of colourful characters, some villainous and some affectionate, whilst on the run from Quilp and his band of misguided money seekers. Meanwhile, Kit Nubbles (MacKay) – Grandfather’s servant and Nell’s adoring friend - is contacted by the mysterious Jacob (Rawlins) looking for news of the missing duo. But Quilp is not a man to tolerate competition, something they are all about to discover the hard way.

The Old Curiosity Shop was directed by Brian Percival (Ruby In The Smoke, Much Ado About Nothing) and produced by Andrew Benson (Prime Suspect: The Final Act, Hornblower). Gareth Neame, Managing Director of Carnival Films, is Executive Producer. The novel has been adapted by Martyn Hesford (Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa, Nicholas Nickleby).

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