Adam Bede, set at the very close of the 18th century, sees young maid Hetty Sorrel (Patsy Kensit) being wooed by two men, the carpenter Adam Bede (Iain Glen) and the caddish army captain and squire Arthur Donnithorne (James Wilby) but after falling pregnant Hetty is destined for tragedy. Adam Bede is convinced that he is to blame for the events that befall Hetty but eventually finds true happiness with Dinah Morris.
A BBC Screen One presentation with Patsy Kensit playing the central role of Hetty Sorrel at a time when she was trying to combine both singing and acting but she does a fine job here, her natural innocent beauty perfect for the role whilst Glen and Wilby are perfectly cast as the strong Bede and arrogant Donnithorne. Another perfect looking BBC costume drama.
Series: Screen One Season 3 Episode 9
Cast: PATSY KENSIT as Hetty Sorrel; IAIN GLEN as Adam Bede; JAMES WILBY as Arthur Donnithorne; JULIA McKENZIE as Mrs Poyser; SUSANNAH HARKER as Dinah Morris; ROBERT STEPHENS as Reverend Irwine; JEAN MARSH as Lisbeth Bede; FREDDIE JONES as Old Squire; MICHAEL PERCIVAL as Court Official; BRIAN OSBORNE as Jury Spokesman; EDWARD JEWESBURY as Judge; PAUL BROOKE as Martin Poyser; TACITA HAFFENDEN as Totty Poyser; CHASE MARKS as Tommy Poyser; WILLIAM HOLMES as Marty Poyser; ALAN COX as Seth Bede; MICHAEL ROBBINS as Thias Bede; JONATHAN COY as Pym; JOHN BURGESS as Sheriff; ANGUS BARNETT as Labourer; GEORGE INNES as John Olding; JOHNNY VAN DERRICK as Alick; JAMES GREENE as Prosecution Council; ROY EVANS as Coachman; PATSY BYRNE as Sarah Stone; BILL MOODY as Landlord; JACK MILNER as Traveller; JENNIE HESLEWOOD as Landlady
Writer: Maggie Wadey / Novel: George Elliot / Music: Richard Hartley / Production Design: Paul Joel / Costumes: Sheena Napier / Producer: Peter Goodchild / Executive Producer: Richard Broke / Director: Giles Foster
UK / BBC1 – WGBH Boston / 1×105 minute episode / Broadcast 1 January 1992
