Return to Cranford

Return to Cranford
DVD artwork
GenreComedy drama
Created bySue Birtwistle
Susie Conklin
Written byHeidi Thomas
Directed bySimon Curtis
StarringJudi Dench
Imelda Staunton
Julia McKenzie
Deborah Findlay
Barbara Flynn
ComposerCarl Davis
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes2
Production
Executive producersKate Harwood
Rebecca Eaton
ProducerSue Birtwistle
CinematographyBen Smithard
EditorFrances Parker
Camera setupPanavision Genesis HD Camera
Running time90 minutes
Production companiesBBC
WGBH Boston
Chestermead
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release20 December (2009-12-20) –
27 December 2009 (2009-12-27)
Related
  • Cranford (2007 TV series)
  • Cranford (1972 TV series)
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]

  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.