Gentleman Jack

Series 1 - Episode 1

Review

by Alison Graham

After too long an absence, writer Sally Wainwright is back with this roistering, witty biographical drama based on the real life of the remarkable Anne Lister. Lister was a woman born out of her time, who didn’t just bridle against the suffocating conventions of 19th-century Britain, she kicked out and stamped down, hard. She loved work and she loved women.

Suranne Jones, magnificent in a hairstyle that looks like a casserole-dish lid, roams her Halifax estate in mannish clothes, dispensing good sense and brusque kindness to her tenants. She’s chatelaine of Shibden Hall (where Gentleman Jack is filmed) and we first see her returning to “shabby little Shibden and my shabby little family” after an unhappy trip to Hastings.

There’s a lot of exposition – because there’s a lot about Anne that must be explained – but once we get past the borderline “how do you solve a problem like Anne Lister?”-type family chats, this is great stuff.

Summary

New series. Historical drama by Sally Wainwright, starring Suranne Jones, based on the true story of controversial 19th-century landowner Anne Lister. In 1832, Anne returns to her family home in Halifax following the end of her relationship with aristocratic lover Vere. Struggling to live with her father and sister, she finds a welcome distraction in transforming her family's coal-rich land - while a visit from another old flame feeds her fears that she is destined to be alone. With Timothy West and Gemma Whelan.

Cast & Crew

Anne Lister Suranne Jones

Ann Walker Sophie Rundle

Samuel Washington Joe Armstrong

Eliza Priestley Amelia Bullmore

Elizabeth Cordingley Rosie Cavaliero

Aunt Ann Walker Stephanie Cole

William Priestley Peter Davison

Sam Bowden Anthony Flanagan

Mariana Lawton Lydia Leonard

Vere Hobart Jodhi May

Marian Lister Gemma Whelan

Aunt Anne Lister Gemma Jones

Jeremy Lister Timothy West

Director Sally Wainwright

Executive Producer Sally Wainwright

Executive Producer Faith Penhale

Executive Producer Laura Lankester

Producer Phil Collinson

Writer Sally Wainwright

Drama

Full Episode Guide

Filming commences for Gentleman Jack season two

The cast and crew have returned to Yorkshire for a second season.

Accessibility Links

Series 1 - Episode 1

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Filming commences for Gentleman Jack season two

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Where was Gentleman Jack filmed? Where is Shibden Hall and can you visit?

Meet the cast of BBC1's Gentleman Jack

Gentleman Jack

Series 1 - Episode 1

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Filming commences for Gentleman Jack season two

Television shows can now film 'within social distancing guidelines' – but I'd rather wait longer than watch bad TV

21 TV shows written by women to look forward to in 2020

Sally Wainwright defends her Last Tango in Halifax 'dead lesbian' storyline

Channel 5 and Comedy Central join BritBox line-up

ITV and BBC sign agreement to launch UK BritBox service later this year

Where was Gentleman Jack filmed? Where is Shibden Hall and can you visit?

Meet the cast of BBC1's Gentleman Jack

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