Drover’s Gold (BBC-1 1997, David Calder, Geraldine James)

Romance, adventure and spectacular scenery dominate the action-filled story of Drover’s Gold as a band of 19th century cowboys driving a herd of cattle from rural Wales to London. It is summer 1843, and the downtrodden tenant farmers of a Welsh valley, led by the young Aaron Jones, rise up against their manipulative landlord by guiding their cattle to London to secure the best market price.

As the intrepid adventurers make their way along their hazardous trail, they are hampered at every turn by agents of landlord Sir Huw Watkins. But in the end it is Sir Huw’s own daughter who scuppers his plans, motivated by a hard-headed sense of justice – and a growing attachment to lowly-born Aaron.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×90 minute episode 4×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 30 May – 27 June 1997

Writer: Michael Chaplin / Producers: Ruth Caleb, Andy Dyer / Directors: Tristam Powell, Lesley Manning

cast
David Calder as Vaughan
Alun Jones as Dafydd
Geraldine James as Ruth Jones
Andrew Howard as Aaron
Robert Pugh as Handl
Freddie Jones as Moc
Ruth Jones as Mary
Ray Stevenson as Armstrong
Sharon Geater as Rebecca
Emma Fielding as Elizabeth
John Standing as Sir Huw
Steven Speirs as Lewis
Daniel Llewelyn as Isaiah
Aneirin Hughes as Daniel