Under The Greenwood Tree (ITV 2005, Keeley Hawes, James Murray)

Under The Greenwood Tree tells the story of a poor young man who falls for a beautiful schoolteacher and attempts to win her over.

Keeley Hawes stars as the teacher, Fancy Day, with James Murray (Sons and Lovers, Cutting It) as her suitor Dick Dewy.

Ben Miles plays new parson Maybold, who upsets the villagers with his plans to replace the choir with a new harmonium, with Steve Pemberton as farmer Shiner, Tony Haygarth as Dick’s father Reuben, Tom Georgeson as Fancy’s father Geoffrey, plus Sian Brooke, Jane Wheldon and Terry Mortimer.

Told through four seasons of country life, the drama follows Dick’s attempts to find true love despite his lowly position, while other men with more money vie for Fancy’s affections. Will Fancy follow her heart – or fulfil her sick father’s longing to see her marry well?

The film was shot entirely on the Channel Island of Jersey, with locations including the Hamptonne Country Life Museum, a National Trust for Jersey site with period buildings, restored agricultural equipment and authentic furniture.

production details
UK | ITV1 – Ecosse Films | 1×110 minutes | Broadcast 26 December 2005

Writer: Ashley Pharoah
Novel: Thomas Hardy
Producer: Jeremy Gwilt
Executive Producers: Douglas Rae, Matthew Arlidge, Robert Bernstein
Director: Nick Laughland

cast
Keeley Hawes as Fancy Day
James Murray as Dick Dewy
Terry Mortimer as Robert Penny
Richard Leaf as Thomas Leaf
Tony Haygarth as Reuben Dewy
Tom Georgeson as Geoffrey Day
Ben Miles as Parson Maybold
Steve Pemberton as Mr. Shiner