Little Dorrit, a major 91Èȱ¬ One Dickens adaptation
Judy Parfitt plays Mrs Clennam
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Judy Parfitt plays Mrs Clennam, who on the surface seems to be a dreadful woman, causing untold harm to her put-upon son, Arthur. But the actress asserts that her character is much more complex than she first appears.
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"She seems horrendous all the way through," concedes Judy, who has starred in dramas as varied as The Jewel In The Crown, The Long Firm, Girl With A Pearl Earring and Funland.
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"But when I'm playing a character I always have to find why they are like that. I think Mrs Clennam is a complicated woman. She's very damaged and has never known what love is.
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"Her husband gave her no love and then took her son away to China for 20 years. When he came back, she clamped down on him. The only person who can touch Mrs Clennam is Little Dorrit because she's so innocent and loving.
"At heart, my character is not such a bad person. She has simply been living in these depressing circumstances for too long.
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"She's in the same decaying dress in the same decaying room all the time. Like Miss Havisham in Great Expectations, she's decaying too."
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The actress feels that this novel is perfect for television.
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"Everyone loves a marvellous story, and Little Dorrit is a marvellous story," states Judy, who played Dr Elizabeth Corday's mother in ER.
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"It's also peopled with the most extraordinary characters. What is remarkable is that every single one of them is different. Everyone in the audience will find one they connect with."
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In addition, Little Dorrit will confirm our enduring passion for period drama.
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"We love it because no one does it as well as us," Judy opines.
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"It's like looking back to an era when things were much more understandable. Everything was in its place. It breeds a great sense of reassurance."
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The actress proceeds to praise Matthew Macfadyen who plays her son Arthur in Little Dorrit.
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"He's giving a brilliant performance," she beams.
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"He's so open and warm. He's an adorable man."
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Judy reflects on how immensely pleasurable it has been to work on Little Dorrit.
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"It's been such a happy experience," she enthuses.
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"What is great is that during the entire shoot I haven't seen one moment of egotism from anyone.
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"Also, at my age, the chances to get parts this good are few and far between.
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"The last drama I made of this quality was Funland. That was in fact directed by Dearbhla Walsh, who was the first director on this. I've had such a wonderful time on Little Dorrit. When I finished filming, I felt bereaved!"
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