Dickensian

Given that I totally loathe Eastenders and its dreary premise, I was so surprised to find just how enjoyable Dickensian is. I recorded quite a few episodes but once I started watching I have fond it compulsive viewing. My only complaint is the casting of Stephen Rea as the detective, Bucket. Rea is not a great favourite of mine so I find it hard to be convinced by him. The other actors are, in my opinion, fantastically well cast. Pauline Collins is great as is Ned Dehenny as Scrooge. Everyone inhabits their parts very well. Production values are high and Victorian Britain is well portrayed here. The story is well written and plotted and makes a pleasant change from the dreadful Eastenders. It is interesting to see the show's take on Miss Havisham's fate which was never really fully explained in Great Expectations. I just hope that the standard remains as high as the series has been so far.

Well done BBC. I was hesitant at first because I was worried about the tampering of Charles Dickens amazing work and especially over a story that combines many of his characters from other books into a murder mystery. The dialogue was as if Dickens himself wrote it and I believe he would have enjoyed it as much as I did.

It would have been delightful to enjoy the well-rounded Dickensian characters again this Christmas. Instead we have been bombarded with repeats of dramas seen several times already. What has happened to this wonderful series?

I must admit to being highly sceptical by the whole premise surrounding Dickensian. Having studied several of the great works for English lit the thought of combining characters seemed like a grand scale disaster, but to my utter amazement, it's cohesive, logical and has become utterly addictive viewing. I find the scheduling a little all over the place, it seems to go out at random times, so I enjoy catching up with it at work having lunch.

Fantastic production values as one would expect from the BBC, the camera work is slick, the costumes and sets are world class, but it's the scripts and the acting that are making the show for me, am loving Anton Lesser's Fagin, and Ned Dennehy's interesting portrayal of Scrooge. I barely recognised Caroline Quentin.

I appreciate the subtle touches of humour too, it could have easily been grim viewing, but far from it. Love it. 8/10

This series brought Dickens to life in such a refreshing way. It was fun to see all the different books being brought together. The dark retelling is superb. And omg what acting!! I want more!