Cranford returns to BBC One next Christmas
Dame Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Francesca Annis, Julia McKenzie and Jim Carter return in the popular award-winning BBC One drama about the lives of the people of Cranford, in a two-part special for Christmas 2009, it was announced today.
Fresh from four BAFTA Television nominations, seven BAFTA Craft nominations and six Broadcasting Press Guild nominations, as well as the TRIC Award 2007 for Best Drama Programme earlier this month and the RTS Award for Best Writer, the two-part special will be produced by co-creator Sue Birtwistle (Pride And Prejudice), directed by Simon Curtis (Five Days, Freezing) and written by Heidi Thomas (Ballet Shoes, Lilies).
BBC One viewers became addicted and entranced by Cranford, a small Cheshire market town in the early 1840s on the cusp of great change. The railway was pushing its way relentlessly towards the town from Manchester, bringing fears of migrant workers and the breakdown of law and order.
The Christmas special picks up the story in September 1844, a year after the town celebrates the wedding of Sophy (Kimberley Nixon) and Dr Harrison (Simon Woods).
Kate Harwood, BBC Head of Series and Serials and executive producer of Cranford, comments: “Cranford captured the hearts of the nation last year as every week, nearly 8 million viewers tuned in to catch up with Miss Matty and her fellow villagers. I am delighted that we are able to bring these much-loved characters back to life for a Christmas special in 2009 and once again uniting an unprecedented pool of talent to thrill and entertain our audiences.”
The Cranford 2009 Christmas special will film in and around Wiltshire and London.
The Cranford 2009 Christmas special was recommissioned by Jane Tranter, Controller, BBC Fiction.
18 Responses to “Cranford returns to BBC One next Christmas”
Comment from admin
Time 3 April 2008 at 5:40 pm
mmmm.. ebay it and wait for the US version of the DVD?
get a multi region DVD player?
try it on a computer?
can’t think of more than that!
Comment from Sleeping Beauty
Time 4 April 2008 at 9:48 pm
Am so excited about the christmas special…I fear I may burst. But the worst of it is – no Mr Carter! And we have to wait a year for it, ah well……………..
Comment from Jessica
Time 26 May 2008 at 7:38 pm
I’m so glad to hear that there will be more Cranford! I watched and Tivo’d all the episodes from Masterpiece, I am hooked.. now I just have to wait for it to make it’s way over to the U.S… anyone know how long that will be?
Comment from dvd man
Time 22 June 2008 at 8:08 pm
Barbara Feinstein, I have the same problem was, then went to a friend who is the new dvd drive and everything worked!
Comment from Pandora
Time 1 September 2008 at 3:22 pm
Oh! *Excited* I hope everything works out in the end! Mary Smith and Jack Marshland get together! Harry does awesomely at school! Miss Pole and Miss Matty’s borther Peter get together too! Oh yes, and Major Gordon and Jessie get married! YEY! Literally can’t wait!
Comment from Jennie
Time 1 March 2009 at 11:14 am
Why, when a masterpiece like this can still be produced, are we subjected to so much utter, utter rubbish on television? Restores my faith in the industry. Thank God the cameras didn’t jiggle all over the place and give me motion sickness!
Comment from Mavis Riedel
Time 6 March 2009 at 2:20 am
Hooray !!! More ‘Cranford’ !!!!! It was so perfect, what a gift to be given more. Can’t wait.
Comment from Karen
Time 6 March 2009 at 2:36 am
I just watched ‘Cranford’ several times in a row. I must say that it leaves me wanting more. With the state of world affairs, to escape to Cranford is a tonic. I am delighted to hear of the Christmas special.
Comment from Susanne
Time 8 April 2009 at 1:50 pm
Cranford Christmas special? Now THAT is wonderful news! I’m completely, utterly addicted to the serie, every time I watch it I discover new things. I love it. One “disappointment”: I have to wait until Christmas 
Comment from judi
Time 14 May 2009 at 2:09 am
I hope Martin Shaw returns as Peter, Miss Mattys brother.He seemed to have his eye on Miss Pole
Comment from Steven Weikert
Time 12 September 2009 at 5:38 pm
I must agree that the news that there will be more Cranford is the best news I’ve heard since the 2008 presidential election result.
To those who would like to play Region 2 (UK version) DVDs such as Cranford, there is a solution – purchase an Oppo DVD player and change the settings to play DVDs for all regions. I’ve done that and can now view all the wonderful BBC DVDs that are for sale on amazon.co.uk as well as my present Region 1 (US version) DVDs. Perfection!
Comment from Cindy Urquhart
Time 7 December 2009 at 10:31 am
All right, here it is almost Christmas, 2009. Where IS “Cranford II”?? What a treat to anticipate!
Comment from Nigel
Time 7 December 2009 at 7:49 pm
Broadcast dates are 20th and 27th December on BBC1 at 9pm
Comment from gill dunne
Time 21 December 2009 at 2:25 pm
Missed first episod last night – didnt realise it was a new series. Does anyone know if it will be repeated in the week? thanks, gill
Comment from Morwenna
Time 22 December 2009 at 12:23 am
Gill – you can watch it on the bbc iplayer. It’s free and you can watch it any time you want in the next seven days.
Comment from Nigel
Time 22 December 2009 at 11:17 am
It will be repeated on BBC4 episode 1 on 2nd jan 7.35pm and episode 2 on 3rd Jan 7.00pm
Comment from Kate
Time 3 January 2010 at 9:26 pm
Hi Barbara,
You should be able to get a code to unlock your DVD player from regions…or if you have a computer or a laptop you should be able to watch it on those without a problem.
Comment from Barbara Feinstein
Time 3 April 2008 at 5:34 pm
Hello from New York.
A friend from UK has just sent me the DVD Cranford. Unfortunately, I cannot play it on any of my DVD players as the format appears to be incompatible.
I have already removed the covering but have not been able to play it. Is there a way I could get the DVD to play or might you have a different version that would play in the U.S. I will happily send it back to the UK for an exchange, if that is possible. I think I cannot ship it back to my friend to return because i have removed the cellophane.
Please advise. Thank you.
Barbara Feinstein