* The Independent (Tom Sutcliffe): “Beautifully played, very funny and deftly directed, it’s a world I can’t wait to get back to.”

* The Sunday Times – Culture (AA Gill): “I was hooked, gaffed, netted and filleted.”

* The Observer – Review (Kathryn Flett): “Its luscious painterly tableaux vivants make its art direction and photography possibly the most beautiful in any costume drama ever.”

* The Mail On Sunday (Jaci Stephen): “It would be impossible to list all that is great about Cranford without writing out the script verbatim.”

* Sunday Express (David Stephenson): “Cranford is the period drama of the year, and probably the series of the year.”

* Daily Telegraph (James Walton): “Perfect isn’t an adjective that we nit-picking old critics like to use very often – but, in the case of Cranford, I really can’t think of a better one.”

* The Hollywood Reporter: “An instant classic.”

Nominations for Programme of the Year title were selected by a panel of television experts and the public can now choose their favourite and vote online.

Vote Here!

Drama adaptation Cranford has been nominated for the Programme of the Year title at the British Academy Television Awards.

It faces tough competition from Britain’s Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing, The Apprentice, Andrew Marr’s History Of Modern Britain and comedy Gavin And Stacey.

Update: More Details

Actress

Eileen Atkins – Cranford
Judi Dench – Cranford
Gina McKee – The Street
Kierston Wareing – It’s A Free World

Sky+ Audience Award for the Programme of the Year

The Apprentice
Andrew Marr’s History of Modern Britain
Britain’s Got Talent
Cranford
Gavin & Stacey
Strictly Come Dancing

Drama Serial

Britz
Cranford
Five Days
Murphy’s Law