
David Copperfield
Creator Barry Letts · Channel BBC One · Starring Colin Hurley, Brenda Bruce, Simon Callow
A young man journeys from a difficult childhood to maturity, exploring social injustice, personal development, and the complexities of human relationships.
- IMDb
- 7.1/10 · 139 votes
- RATE IT
Episodes
- Episode 1: 1. Part 1October 19, 1986 · 25 minOn holiday with his wife and children, David Copperfield recalls his life. He recounts how he was brought up by his nurse, Peggotty, and how his idyllic childhood was altered forever by his sickly mother's marriage to the cruel Edward Murdstone.
- Episode 2: 2. Part 2October 26, 1986 · 25 minMurdstone has appointed his sister Jane as housekeeper, and David is forbidden to associate with the servants, especially Peggotty. David and Murdstone develop a mutual dislike. Following a beating from Murdstone, David retaliates, which gets him shipped to a reform school.
- Episode 3: 3. Part 3November 2, 1986 · 25 minAfter the death of David's mother, Murdstone takes David out of school and puts him to work in his London wine business as a bottlewasher and general labourer. David boards with the Micawbers, a kind family who live in desperate but genteel poverty, under constant harassment from creditors.
- Episode 4: 4. Part 4November 9, 1986 · 25 minArriving home from work one evening, David finds that the Micawbers are about to be taken to debtors' prison. Now homeless, David flees to his only surviving relative, Aunt Betsey, who lives near Dover. She takes him in and orders the Murdstones away when they come looking for David.
- Episode 5: 5. Part 5November 16, 1986 · 25 minAunt Betsey sends David to public school, where during term time he lives with her lawyer Mr Wickfield. The widower and his daughter Agnes welcome David's company.
- Episode 6: 6. Part 6November 23, 1986 · 25 minAfter meeting old schoolfriend Steerforth at an inn, David invites him along to Yarmouth to visit Peggotty and her husband Barkis.
Show 4 more episodes
- Episode 7: 7. Part 7November 30, 1986 · 25 minDavid has fallen in love with Dora Spenlow, the young daughter of his employer. After capturing her attention at her birthday party, David hopes that Dora will reciprocate his affection.
- Episode 8: 8. Part 8December 7, 1986 · 25 minHam reveals the news that his bride-to-be, Emily, has run away with Steerforth. Spenlow discovers David's letters to Dora and forbids David to see her anymore.
- Episode 9: 9. Part 9December 14, 1986 · 25 minAfter the death of Spenlow, Dora and David wed. Tommy Traddles enters the Law and begins investigating the affairs of Wickfield and Heep.
- Episode 10: 10. Part 10December 21, 1986 · 25 minAfter Dora's death, David's life seems empty and meaningless. After a period of unhappy wandering, he returns home to the end of an old friendship and the beginning of a new life with Agnes.
Images
Credits
- Colin HurleyDavid Copperfield · 10 episodes
- Brenda BruceBetsey Trotwood · 7 episodes
- Simon CallowWilkins Micawber · 7 episodes
- Jenny McCrackenClara Peggotty · 7 episodes
- Francesca HallDora Spenlow · 6 episodes
- Jeremy BrudenellJames Steerforth · 6 episodes
- Barry LettsCreator · Director · 10 episodes
Film and series details
- EPISODE LENGTH
- 30 minutes
- FIRST AIRED
- October 19, 1986
- LAST AIRED
- December 21, 1986
- PRODUCTION COMPANY
- BBC















