Great Expectations by the literary genius Charles Dickens has been adapted into a new miniseries starring Olivia Colman and Fionn Whitehead, and we honestly cannot wait to watch it because the trailer looks incredible!
Available on Hulu in the US from March 26, 2023, and BBC1 and BBCiPlayer in the UK later this spring, the six-part series is set in 19th-century England and follows the coming-of-age story of a young boy named Pip (Fionn) who dreams of making it out of his humble beginnings to become a gentleman. In doing so, he sets out on a journey full of twists and turns where he meets characters such as the eccentric Miss Havisham (Olivia) and Estella (Shalom Brune-Franklin), who show him a dark world of possibilities. Will this evil new world be at the expense of the man he desires to be?
We're so excited about Great Expectations, and with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, who is a huge Dickens fan, helming the project, we know this will be an exciting watch once it reaches UK shores. So if you want to know more about this project, keep on reading!
What is the general plot of Great Expectations?
The official synopsis for the series reads: "Great Expectations is the coming-of-age story of Pip, an orphan who yearns for a greater lot in life, until a twist of fate and the evil machinations of the mysterious and eccentric "Miss Havisham" shows him a dark world of possibilities. Under the great expectations placed upon him, Pip will have to work out the true cost of this new world, and whether it will truly make him the man he wishes to be. A damning critique of the class system, Dickens' novel was published in 1861 after first releasing it in a series of weekly chapters beginning in December 1860."
The series will explore topics such as class, identity, redemption, love and ambitions.
Great Expectations is based on the 13th novel by Charles Dickens and is considered one of his greatest works ever. As a result, the book has been the source of various adaptations over the years, beginning from the 1946 film Great Expectations, starring John Mills and Valerie Hobson, to the modernised film adaptation of the same name in 1998, starring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Who stars in Great Expectations?
The miniseries has an incredible cast, with Fionn Whitehead playing Pip, Olivia Colman playing Miss Havisham, and Shalom Brune-Franklin playing Estella. Rounding out the cast are Ashley Thomas, Johnny Harris, Owen McDonnell, Hayley Squires, Laurie Ogden, Matt Berry, Trysan Gravelle and Rudi Darmalingam.
Is there a trailer for Great Expectations?
Of course, there is! Check it out below to see Olivia's terrifying transformation:
FYI: Olivia's line at the end, "Estella, what a prized creature we have fished from the sea," gave us chills!
When will Great Expectations be released?
A UK airdate has yet to be confirmed, but we know it will be this Spring, 2023, on BBC One and iPlayer! It is set to air in the US on March 26 on Hulu.
