The Woman in White, The (BBC Thriller, Tara Fitzgerald)

Period mystery serial The Woman in White, written by Wilkie Collins in 1860, was one of the great spooky novels of the Victorian era. The story has been adapted many times for television most recently in 2018.

The story begins when two half-sisters, Marian (Tara Fitzgerald) and Laura (Justine Waddell), are introduced to ghost stories by their tutor Walter Hartright (Andrew Lincoln) who scares them with tales of a sinister woman dressed in white. The girls are convinced that all is not as it seems though and think the ghostly figure may be linked to Sir Percival Glyde (James Wilby) whom Laura has been betrothed to by her less than nice Uncle.

Despite some simplification of the plot to fit this large novel into a two hour running time, the drama does have a great sense of atmosphere and the all star cast are clearly relishing the opportunity to “frock up”.

Cast: Tara Fitzgerald as Marion; Justine Waddell as Laura; James Wilby as Sir Percival Glyde; Simon Callow as Count Fosco; Ian Richardson as Mr Fairlie; Adie Allen as Margaret Porcher; Andrew Lincoln as Walter Hartright; John Standing as Mr Gilmore; Susan Vidler as Anne Catherick; Ann Bell as Mrs Rideout; Anne Etchells as Liza; Timothy Carlton as Glyde’s Lawyer; Corin Redgrave as Doctor Kidson; Kika Markham as Madame Fosco; Eric Carte as Marian’s Father

Writer: David Pirie / Novel: Wilkie Collins / Producer: Gareth Neame / Director: Tim Fywell

UK / BBC1 – Carlton / 2×65 minute episodes / Broadcast 28 – 29 December 1997