Masterpiece Theater

The 37th season of Masterpiece Theatre begins with Part 1 of the five-part "The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard". Jane Horrocks plays Ros Pritchard, a British supermarket manager who is fed up with politicians and decides to run for parliament. Surprisingly, she ends up becoming Prime Minister.

"The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard" continues in this second part of five. The political honeymoon starts to turn sour for Ros when her proposal to move the seat of government from London stalls. A visiting dignitary's family is murdered, a critical book about Ros and her new political party is released, and unsavory photos of Ros' eldest daughter Emily are released to the public.

This third part of "The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard" takes place one year into Ros' service as Prime Minister. Ros faces an international crisis when a Lithuanian plane crashes over London.

"The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard" continues with this fourth part of five. Ros implements a new policy to combat global warming by banning unessential car traffic for one day a week.

"The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard" concludes in this fifth part of five, and the last new episode of Masterpiece Theatre in 2007.

This solid adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Persuasion', stars Sally Hawkins as 27-year-old Anne Elliot who is facing spinsterhood until a past love, the handsome Capt. Wentworth (Rupert Penry-Jones), reenters her life. The strong supporting cast includes Anthony Head ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") as Anne's father, the crotchety Sir Walter Elliot.

"The Complete Jane Austen" continues with its second installment with a new adaptation of "Northanger Abbey". Felicity Jones stars as Catherine Morland, a gothic-novel afficiando whose vivid imagination leads her into trouble during a stay with the wealthy Tilney family at their medieval country house, where Catherine's budding romance with the younger son, Henry Tilney (J.J. Field), is threatened.

The third installment of "The Complete Jane Austen" features a brand new adaptation of 'Mansfield Park.' Billie Piper stars as Fanny Price, a young woman from a poor background who has been raised by her wealthy uncle and aunt. While growing up amidst her new family, she forms a tight bond with the second son, Edmund (Blake Ritson), is severely chastised by her uncle (Douglas Hodge) for turning down a marriage proposal, and finds true love.

"Masterpiece Theatre's The Complete Jane Austen" continues with 'Miss Austen Regrets,' starring Olivia Williams and Hugh Bonneville. This new biopic depicts the romantic trials of Jane Austen, including two men whose proposals she rejected and the young surgeon who arrived too late to steal her heart.

The fifth installment of "The Complete Jane Austen" features the famously popular 1995 A&E/BBC dramatization of 'Pride and Prejudice,' now airing on "Masterpiece Theatre" for the first time. This dramatization stars Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. This first part of three comprises the first two episodes of the original six-episode 1995 television serial.

The fifth installment of "The Complete Jane Austen" features the famously popular 1995 A&E/BBC dramatization of 'Pride and Prejudice,' now airing on "Masterpiece Theatre" for the first time. This dramatization stars Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. This second part of three comprises the third and fourth episodes of the original six-episode 1995 television serial.

The fifth installment of "The Complete Jane Austen" features the famously popular 1995 A&E/BBC dramatization of 'Pride and Prejudice,' now airing on "Masterpiece Theatre" for the first time. This dramatization stars Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. This final part of three comprises the fifth and sixth episodes of the original six-episode 1995 television serial.

Emma Woodhouse has a rigid sense of propriety as regards matrimonial alliances. Unfortunately, she insists on matchmaking for her less forceful friend, Harriet, and so causes her to come to grief. Through the sharp words of Mr. Knightley, and the example of the opinionated Mrs. Elton, someone not unlike herself, Emma's attitudes begin to soften...

Following the death of Mr Dashwood, his wife and three daughters - Elinor, Marianne and Margret - are forced by money constraints to move to a small cottage in Devonshire. While Elinor is attached to Edward Ferrars, who has promised to visit her, Marianne attracts the attention of older Colonel Brandon and rogue Willoughby.

Marianne and Willoughby find themselves falling in love while Colonel Brandon is called away on urgent business. Elinor is relieved when Edward comes to visit, but his strange behavour leaves her confused. Elinor learns that Edward is engaged to Lucy Steele, while Marianne discovers the full extent of Willoughy's betrayal from Colonel Brandon and it leaves her in a downward spiral and her health takes a turn for the worse.

Timothy Spall and his son Rafe Spall appear together for the first time as father and son (as Mr. Emerson and his son George) in a new ITV adaptation by Andrew Davies of E.M. Forster's novel, 'A Room with a View.' This classic drama, set against the backdrop of rural Italy and England in the early twentieth century, tells the story of the impressionable young English woman, Lucy Honeychurch (Elaine Cassidy), and her attempts to find love and happiness.

Based on 1915 poem by Rudyard Kipling of the same name, this television dramatization of the 1997 stage play 'My Boy Jack' stars Daniel Radcliffe as John "Jack" Kipling, David Haig as Rudyard Kipling, and Kim Cattrall as Caroline Kipling. Davig Haig is the writer of both the stage play and the television screenplay. 'My Boy Jack' examines how grief affected Rudyard Kipling following the death of his son during World War I, at the Battle of Loos, in 1915.

"Cranford" is set in 1842-1843 in a small rural town dominated by a group of single and widowed middle class women who place great store on propriety, and on maintaining an appearance of gentility, even those whose means are barely adequate for the task. Arriving to town is a young man, Doctor Harrison (Simon Woods), who brings his own modern ideas to Cranford in the form of new treatments he has learned about at medical school in London.

The residents of Cranford are suffering through a crime spree when Dr. Harrison's house is broken into and Mr. Johnson is attacked as he is closing his store. When Gregson is arrested for the crimes, young Harry has to admit that he and his father were out poaching at that time. By the time Valentine's day rolls around, Dr. Harrison's approach to Sophy receives a more positive reception. However, Miss Caroline Tomkinson receives an anonymous Valentine card and is more convinced than ever that Dr. Harrison is available.

Lady Ludlow's estate manager, Mr. Carter, catches young Harry Gregson trespassing but decides to hire him rather than report him to the constable. Matilda meets someone from her past. Rumors have it that the railway may be coming to Cranford. It's Christmas-time and Miss Matty isn't sure it would be appropriate to celebrate with friends and neighbors given the death of her sister. Mary Smith convinces her otherwise.