| Return to Cranford | |
|---|---|
 DVD artwork | |
| Genre | Comedy drama |
| Created by | Sue Birtwistle Susie Conklin |
| Written by | Heidi Thomas |
| Directed by | Simon Curtis |
| Starring | Judi Dench Imelda Staunton Julia McKenzie Deborah Findlay Barbara Flynn |
| Composer | Carl Davis |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Kate Harwood Rebecca Eaton |
| Producer | Sue Birtwistle |
| Cinematography | Ben Smithard |
| Editor | Frances Parker |
| Camera setup | Panavision Genesis HD Camera |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production companies | BBC WGBH Boston Chestermead |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 20 December – 27 December 2009 |
| Related | |
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| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
Return to Cranford (known in the United Kingdom as the Cranford Christmas Special) is the two-part second season of a British television series directed by Simon Curtis. The teleplay by Heidi Thomas was based on material from two novellas and a short story by Elizabeth Gaskell published between 1849 and 1863: Cranford, The Moorland Cottage and The Cage at Cranford. Themes from My Lady Ludlow, Mr Harrison's Confessions and The Last Generation in England are included to provide continuity with the first series.
The two-part Christmas special was transmitted in the UK by BBC One in December 2009. In the United States, it was broadcast by PBS as part of its Masterpiece Theatre series in January 2010.[1] Cast members from the first season, including but not limited to Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Julia McKenzie, Deborah Findlay and Barbara Flynn reprised their roles, with Jonathan Pryce, Celia Imrie, Lesley Sharp, Nicholas Le Prevost, Jodie Whittaker, Tom Hiddleston, Michelle Dockery, Matthew McNulty, Rory Kinnear and Tim Curry joining the cast.[1]
The new stories, which were written by Heidi Thomas and directed by Simon Curtis, took place in August 1844; a year after the wedding of Sophy Hutton and Dr Harrison.[1]
- ^ a b c "The critically acclaimed and multi-award winning Cranford returns to BBC One this Christmas with stellar cast" (Press release). BBC Press Office. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.