Cranford

Funny and touching drama that brings together the idiosyncrasies and misfortunes of the lives of the people of Cranford. With the arrival of new residents the women of the town are sparkling with anticipation. Centring on Matty Jenkyns and her older, stricter sister Debora, we share in their excitement as a new house guest and neighbours arrive. When Jem, the local carpenter, falls from a tree, all eyes are upon on the new doctor and his untested modern methods.

The past returns to haunt the present. A visitor brings joy and hope to Jessie Brown. Mr Carter oversees preparations for Lady Ludlow's garden party. Miss Matty is very shaken when she unexpectedly meets someone from her past. Caroline Tomkinson is determined to attract the attention of Dr Harrison, but she could have competition from young beauty Sophy Hutton.

A theft from the Doctor's house and an attack on Mr Johnson spread panic and the fear of an imminent crime wave. Suspicion and mistrust ripple through Cranford and Miss Pole resorts to desperate measures to safeguard her treasures.To save his father, Harry is forced to make a formidable decision, thereby putting himself in danger. In these uncertain times, the ladies cluster together at Christmas.With the coming of spring, love blossoms in many hearts as Valentine cards arrive, but are they really tokens of love? And can the culprit be unaware of the catastrophe that could result from his pranks?

A maze of misunderstandings leads the ladies of Cranford astray as May Day fills hearts with hopes of love. Mrs Forrester and Miss Pole hatch a plan after the young doctor makes a puzzling purchase, whilst Miss Tompkinson's ambiguous conversation with him sets in motion a disastrous chain of events. Will the innocent doctor be able to survive the turmoil and secure the affections of the one he loves?

Dr Harrison finds both his career and his reputation ruined, and his courtship destroyed. Miss Matty receives devastating news, but the true values of Cranford's friendships become apparent as the ladies secretly rally to help. Miss Galindo and Mr Carter's friendship strengthens as they are forced to face up to the true tragedy of Hanbury. But will Miss Galindo be able to help Mr Carter carry out his wishes? And who will be able to adapt to change?

Miss Matty's house is full of life and bustle. Her dream of having a child in the house has been realised with the birth of Tilly, daughter of her maid Martha and carpenter Jem. Elsewhere, the shadow of the railway still looms, but the line has been halted five miles outside Cranford - a disaster for the town, in Captain Brown's view.As Lady Ludlow waits for her son Septimus to return from Italy, Harry Gregson is sent away to school.Meanwhile, as Mr Buxton returns to town with his son, William, and his niece, Erminia, Miss Matty becomes concerned about another young person - Peggy Bell - who lives in an isolated cottage with her mother and domineering brother, Edward. Miss Matty decides to intervene and engineers an invitation that will bring the four young people together.

Defying his father, William finds a job with Captain Brown working on the railway that is making its way into the heart of Cranford. Meanwhile, Harry disappears from school.The ladies have high expectations of the pending visit of Lady Glenmire, but all does not go to plan. As Peggy and William are separated, a surprise wedding causes a fracture in friendships and, when tragedy strikes, Miss Matty feels she is to blame and fears that Cranford will never recover.