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Great Expectations

The Secret Life of Books Series 1

Series which uncovers the story behind the creation of six classic books. Tony Jordan brings his writer's insight to Charles Dickens's Great Expectations.

Tony Jordan, chief scriptwriter on EastEnders for 15 years and creator of Life on Mars and Hustle, brings his writer's insight to a popular classic - Charles Dickens's Great Expectations.

Dickens serialised his novels and, says Jordan, his brilliant characterisation and cliffhangers make him a godfather to contemporary television writers: 'He's a populist, through and through. He wrote for a mass audience - and they adored him for it'.

Jordan investigates why Dickens decided to change the ending of Great Expectations and what this decision reveals about the writer and the man.

By examining original texts and manuscripts to piece together Dickens's troubled life at the time, Jordan discovers how the author's own personal story may have influenced whether his hero Pip would have a future with Estella.

Produced in partnership with the Open University.

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Thu 30 Mar 2023 02:10
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  • The Wisbech & Fenland Museum hold the manuscript for Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations.

Clips

See all clips from Great Expectations (3)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:01

    Agnes Obel

    Chord Left

  • 00:03

    Chilly Gonzales

    Gogol

  • 00:08

    The Cinematic Orchestra

    Dawn

  • 00:14

    Agnes Obel

    Fivefold

Credits

Presenter Tony Jordan
Series Producer Allan Campbell
Executive Producer Richard Bright
Producer Ben Ryder
Director Ben Ryder

Broadcasts

Featured in...

Discover more with The Open University

Discover more with The Open University

Related Links

  • (www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk)