SPOILER ALERT: This is a detailed plot description, it may spoil the experience for any viewers and potential viewers.
Cranford Ep 3/5
Sunday 2 December
9:00pm – 10:00pm
BBC1

As winter approaches, Cranford is beset by sorrows and struggles to regain its confidence, in the third episode of the Elizabeth Gaskell drama co-created by Sue Birtwistle and Susie Conklin.

Could Mrs Rose (Lesley Manville) have discovered the start of a crime wave?

When Dr Harrison’s housekeeper, Mrs Rose, discovers a leg of mutton has been stolen from the kitchen window on the very same night that Mr Johnson, the owner of the town’s most important store, is mugged, the ladies decide that a crime wave has hit Cranford.

Mr Johnson, meanwhile, becomes convinced that Job Gregson, the local ne’er-do-well, must be his attacker and Job is arrested. Job’s son, Harry, decides to make a confession to Mr Carter of his own part in the poaching to save his father from transportation and has to bear the acute disappointment that Mr Carter feels.

Mr Carter pleads Job’s case with Lady Ludlow, saying that without her intervention, Job will be found guilty and the Gregson family will starve. Lady Ludlow is immovable – the Gregsons are not her responsibility.

Christmas arrives and Cranford huddles together to celebrate, although the town has been so buffeted by events that it feels strangely unsure of itself.

An invitation for Matty arrives from Mr Holbrook, asking her to visit him on his farm. Miss Pole and Mary urge her to accept and they accompany her on what turns out to be a delightful – and hopeful – day for Matty.

Meanwhile, Dr Harrison confides in his medical school friend, Jack Marshland, about his love for Sophy and Jack encourages him to send her some Valentine flowers. But Jack, a perpetual prankster, has set up some mischief by sending a Valentine card to Caroline Tomkinson as if from Dr Harrison, hinting at marriage. Caroline is ecstatic and eagerly awaits Dr Harrison’s proposal.

Lesley Manville is Mrs Rose; Adrian Scarborough is Mr Johnson; Dean Lennox Kelly is Job Gregson; Alex Etel is Harry Gregson; Philip Glenister is Mr Carter; Francesca Annis is Lady Ludlow; Dame Judi Dench is Miss Matty; Michael Gambon is Thomas Holbrook; Imelda Staunton is Miss Pole; Lisa Dillon is Mary Smith; Simon Woods is Dr Frank Harrison; Joe McFadden is Dr Jack Marshland; Kimberley Nixon is Sophy Hutton; and Selina Griffiths is Caroline Tomkinson.