91Èȱ¬

Miss Matty and the ladies of Cranford are in a frenzy of excitement about the imminent visit of Lady Glenmire. Until, that is, the Hon Mrs Jamieson announces that none of them is of high-enough social standing to meet her.

Deeply hurt, Miss Matty leads the Amazons in snubbing both the newcomer and her hostess. But sociable Lady Glenmire is quick to offer an olive branch by hosting a memorable Halloween party, which results in the forging of warm, new friendships.

Impressed by Edward Bell's ambitions and hurt by his own son’s defiance, Mr Buxton takes on Edward to act as his land agent. But Edward makes a disastrous decision that has dire consequences not only for himself, but also for Peggy, whose fortitude and courage will be tested to the limit.

Meanwhile, Matty is distressed when a surprising discovery about one of their close circle results in a serious falling out amongst the friends. Mrs Jamieson and Miss Pole split from the group and Matty is uncertain about how to bring them all back together again.

Matty is also deeply affected by Peggy Bell's crisis. Knowing painfully well the cost of sacrificing one’s personal happiness for the sake of family obligations, Matty decides to intervene in events to help Peggy. But when tragedy strikes the town, she comes to believe that, unwittingly, she has opened Pandora's box and fears that Cranford will never recover.

Miss Matty Jenkyns (Dame Judi Dench)
Peter Jenkyns (Nicholas Le Prevost)
Mary Smith (Lisa Dillon)
Martha (Claudie Blakley)
Jem Hearne (Andrew Buchan)
Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton)
Mrs Forrester (Julia McKenzie)
Mrs Jamieson (Barbara Flynn)
Miss Tomkinson (Deborah Findlay)
Lady Glenmire (Celia Imrie)
Lady Ludlow (Francesca Annis)
Septimus Hanbury (Rory Kinnear)
Sir Charles Maulver (Greg Wise)
Harry Gregson (Alex Etel)
Miss Galindo (Emma Fielding)
Rev Hutton (Alex Jennings)
Captain Brown (Jim Carter)
Mr Johnson (Adrian Scarborough)
Mrs Johnson (Debra Gillett)
Mr Buxton (Jonathan Pryce)
William Buxton (Tom Hiddleston)
Erminia (Michelle Dockery)
Peggy Bell (Jodie Whittaker)
Mrs Bell (Lesley Sharp)
Edward Bell (Matthew McNulty)
Signor Brunoni (Tim Curry)