Watch Middlemarch

Middlemarch is a BBC adaptation of George Eliot's classic novel of the same name. Set in the fictional Midlands town of Middlemarch during the 1830s, the series follows the interconnected lives and loves of a diverse cast of characters from different classes and backgrounds, offering a panoramic view of Victorian society and its moral and social struggles. Juliet Aubrey stars as Dorothea Brooke, a young and idealistic woman who dreams of making a difference in the world and marrying for love rather than money. She is courted by two very different men, the scholarly Reverend Edward Casaubon (Patrick Malahide), who offers her intellectual stimulation but no passion, and the handsome and ambitious Will Ladislaw (Rufus Sewell), who represents everything she admires and desires but is deemed unsuitable by society. Meanwhile, other couples grapple with their own personal and social issues. Dr. Tertius Lydgate (Douglas Hodge), a brilliant and idealistic physician, struggles to make his mark in a conservative and corrupt medical establishment, and falls for the flirtatious and manipulative Rosamond Vincy (Trevyn McDowell), whose selfishness and vanity threaten his career and happiness. The wealthy but dissatisfied landowner Nicholas Bulstrode (Peter Jeffrey) and his ambitious and unhappy wife Harriet (Rosemary Martin) are haunted by their past and their secrets, which threaten to ruin their reputations and marriages. The fiery and independent Mary Garth (Rachel Power) refuses to marry for money and status, much to the chagrin of her parents and her suitor, the dull and wealthy Fred Vincy (Jonathan Firth). Rounding out the cast are the wise and eccentric scholar Mr. Brooke (Robert Hardy), the unscrupulous and scheming politician Mr. Bulstrode (Clive Russell), the kind and loyal businessman Caleb Garth (Philip Stone), and the gossipy and judgmental citizens of Middlemarch, who are quick to criticize and condemn those who dare to challenge their traditions and norms. Throughout the series, the characters grapple with themes of love, ambition, morality, duty, and identity, as they face the consequences of their decisions and actions, and find redemption, forgiveness, and hope in unexpected places. The show is a poignant and sweeping portrait of a bygone era and its timeless human struggles, brought to life by a talented and diverse cast, stunning visuals, and a faithful adaptation of Eliot's rich and complex novel. Overall, Middlemarch is a must-watch for fans of historical drama, romance, and literary adaptations, and a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire viewers today.