Author Charles Dickens‘ “Great Expectations” has had a long string of adaptations and films in its history. But the media landscape has been a little quiet on that front as of late. Which is why it’s high time we get another adaptation! This time, from “Peaky Blinders” creator Stephen Knight. The first teaser is sure to whet the appetites of many a Dickensian.
At only twenty seconds, it really is an outright tease. But given it features the lovely, amazingly talented Olivia Coleman as Miss Havisham, it gives us significant idea of what to expect from the cast. Miss Havisham is an integral character to “Great Expectations.” After a tragic heartbreak, the spinster is a ghost of her former self. Mentally frozen in time, her house decays around her as she drifts through like a ghost, wearing only her wedding dress.
Pip (Fionn Whitehead), the main character, is taken in by the wealthy woman. And while her stability is a bit tilted, she carries herself with etiquette and nobility. But her intentions are not as kind as they may appear. If anyone will be able to portray Havisham’s twisted machinations, it’s Olivia Coleman. Already Coleman displays a submerged glee at Pip’s appearance, you can practically see her working dastardly fingers.
Alongside Coleman, the cast includes Matt Berry (“What We Do In The Shadows“), Hayley Squires (“Call the Midwife“), Trystan Gravelle (“Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power“), and Ashley Thomas (“Top Boy“) to name a few. There’s no release date yet for the series, but American audiences should expect to watch it on Hulu, while those outside the US will find it available on Star+ or Disney+.
