The Crimson Petal and the White

TV Mini Series
2011
TV-MA
1h 9m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Romola Garai in The Crimson Petal and the White (2011)

Set in 1870s London, a young prostitute finds potential power and status after becoming the mistress of a powerful patriarch.Set in 1870s London, a young prostitute finds potential power and status after becoming the mistress of a powerful patriarch.Set in 1870s London, a young prostitute finds potential power and status after becoming the mistress of a powerful patriarch.

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

3.7K

YOUR RATING

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 BAFTA Award
- 4 wins & 15 nominations total

Episodes4

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TopTop-rated Season 2011

Photos31

+ 25

Top cast43

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Romola Garai

Sugar

Chris O'Dowd

William Rackham

Amanda Hale

Mrs. Agnes Rackham

Shirley Henderson

Mrs. Emmeline Fox

Katie Lyons

Clara

Eleanor Yates

Letty

Elizabeth Berrington

Lady Constance Bridgelow

Richard E. Grant

Doctor Curlew

James Wilson

Christopher

Clare Louise Connolly

Janey

Isla Watt

Sophie Rackham

Tom Georgeson

Henry Rackham Senior

Liz White

Caroline

Branwell Donaghey

Cheesman

Blake Ritson

Bodley

Bertie Carvel

Ashwell

Gillian Anderson

Mrs. Castaway

Mark Gatiss

Henry Rackham Junior

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Did you know

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Trivia
When asked about his nudity in the miniseries at the Starz/Encore portion of the Television Critics Association summer tour in Beverly Hills (via satellite from London), Chris O'Dowd said he thought it was important to the character: "Guess it was just necessary. It would feel very, very silly to be skittish about such things [because] Romola [Garai] is going so far with those things [in her performance]". Also, commenting on his costar Romola Garai and their characters, he said "Romola's such a professional and such a wonderful actor and we kind of made it work... These characters are so selfish and actors aren't the most selfless persons in the world, so combine those two things and it had its ups and downs."

Alternate versions
The DVD release includes a scene "The Twins of Drury Lane" which does not appear in the broadcast version.

Connections
Featured in Breakfast: Episode dated 6 April 2011 (2011)

User reviews20

Featured review

9/10

A gripping and atmospheric Victorian drama

As a fan of Victorian-era drama, this 4-part adaptation of a Michel Faber book of the same name is right up my street. It is the story of a London prostitute called Sugar (played by Romola Garai) who takes the fancy of a well-to-do merchant Mr Rackham (Chris O'Dowd) and how their relationship develops. What starts of as a purely sexual thing, soon become much more than that and Sugar becomes increasingly involved in Mr Rackham's home and business life. The whole production is fantastic - from the stylistic direction right down to the set design, costumes, music and acting. Romola Garia and Chris O'Dowd particularly stand out, as does Amanda Hale as the mentally disturbed wife. I have just finished watching the 3rd episode and did not want it to end, it was that gripping. I can't wait to read the book and only hope it is half as good as this series. I will definitely buy this when it comes out on DVD and watch it again. All in all, highly recommended!