To Walk Invisible (BBC-1 2016, Chloe Pirtie, Finn Atkins)

To Walk Invisible is a drama from the always excellent Sally Wainwright (of Happy Valley and Scott and Bailey fame) about the Bronte family. The one off drama not only focuses on the lives of legendary writers Anne, Emily and Charlotte Bronte but also their father and brother Branwell.

Wainwright herself said of the drama ‘I wanted it to feel as authentic as it could. When people watch it I want them to feel that they are transported back in time. It’s not a chocolate box world and I hope it does reflect the real world that they lived in.

The primary aim of To Walk Invisible is to entertain people, for people to engage with it as drama and to enjoy it. I hope people will want to go away and know more about the Brontës, read their novels and read Emily’s poetry.

What’s interesting about the story to a contemporary audience is the domestic situation of the three Brontë sisters. The family are living with the alcoholic Branwell, who was very ill. It started in 1845 and goes through to 1848 when he died. The story is really about these three women living with an alcoholic brother and how they start trying to publish.’

https://youtube.com/watch?v=lC8VUfUb-hU

production details
UK | BBC One | 120 minutes | Broadcast 26 March 2017

Writer and Director: Sally Wainright
Executive Producer: Faith Penhale
Producer: Karen Lewis

cast
Finn Atkins as Charlotte Brontë
Chloe Pirrie as Emily Brontë
Charlie Murphy as Anne Brontë
Adam Nagaitis as Branwell Brontë
Jonathan Pryce as Patrick Brontë
Luke Newberry as George Smith
Rebecca Callard as Miss Pratchett
Rory Fleck-Byrne as Arthur Nicholls
David Walmsley as Joseph Bentley Leyland
June Watson as Tabby
James Norton as Toy Soldier
Joe Armstrong as Thomas Mallinson
Nigel Black as High Flyer
Thomas Nelstrop as Dr. Wheelhouse
David Prosho as Bailiff – Mr Riley
Gracie Kelly as Ellen Nussey
Rosie Boore as Young Charlotte Brontë
Thomas Howes as Samuel Hartley
Hugh Simon as William Smith Williams
Megan Parkinson as Martha Brown
Mark Frost as John Brown
Margaret Wheldon as Shop Keeper
Paul Kynman as Henchman
Troy Tipple as Young Branwell Brontë
Kris Mochrie as Captain John
Jamie Dorrington as Enoch Thomas
Freddie Meredith as Kent
Lara McDonnell as Young Anne Brontë
Jonathan Carley as Napoleon Bonaparte
Karen Shaw as Mrs. Robinson
Talia Barnett as Young Emily Brontë
Matt Adams as Captain Parry / Jack Sharp