Series · Drama
The Mayor of Casterbridge (1978)
The Dennis Potter adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic tale
The Mayor of Casterbridge is a 1978 BBC seven-part serial based on the eponymous 1886 book by the British novelist Thomas Hardy. The six-hour drama was written by dramatist Dennis Potter and directed by David Giles, with Alan Bates as the title character. Michael Henchard, an out-of-work hay-trusser, gets drunk at a fair and, for five guineas, sells his wife and child to a sailor. When the horror of his act finally sets in, Henchard swears he will not touch alcohol for twenty-one years. Through hard work and acumen, he becomes rich, respected, and eventually the mayor of Casterbridge. But eighteen years after his fateful oath, his wife and daughter return to Casterbridge, and his fortunes steadily decline.
- Creator
- Dennis Potter
- Writers
- Dennis Potter, Betty Willingale, Thomas Hardy
- Network
- BBC Two
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- First aired
- January 22, 1978
- Status
- Ended
Cast
Alan BatesMichael Henchard- Janet MawElizabeth-Jane II
- Jack GallowayDonald Farfrae
Anna MasseyLucetta Farfrae (née Templeman)
Ronald LaceyJoshua Jopp- Clifford ParrishLongways
- Peter BourkeAbel Whittle
Jeffrey HollandCarter
Alan RoweMr Joyce
Richard OwensRichard Newson
Avis BunnageMrs Goodenough- Douglas MilvainConey
Anne StallybrassSusan Henchard-Newson
Freddie JonesFall- Deddie DaviesNancy
- Lloyd McGuirePrince Albert
Episodes
0/7 watched- Episode 1: Part One50 min · Jan 22, 1978
- Episode 2: Part Two50 min · Jan 29, 1978
- Episode 3: Part Three50 min · Feb 5, 1978
- Episode 4: Part Four50 min · Feb 12, 1978
- Episode 5: Part Five50 min · Feb 19, 1978
- Episode 6: Part Six50 min · Feb 26, 1978
- Episode 7: Part Seven50 min · Mar 5, 1978
