et-cranford-300
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.