The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a 1996 British television serial adaptation of Anne Brontë's 1848 novel of the same name, produced by BBC and directed by Mike Barker. The serial stars Tara Fitzgerald as Helen Graham, Rupert Graves as her abusive husband Arthur Huntington and Toby Stephens as Gilbert Markham. The first two parts aired in the United Kingdom on 17 November 1996, and the third on 24 November.

Plot summary A mysterious young woman arrives at Wildfell Hall, an old house of the Elizabethan era, with a young son. She is determined to lead an independent existence, but her new neighbours do not want to leave her alone. Only one of them, a young farmer, Gilbert Markham, succeeds in finding her secrets.

Cast Toby Stephens – Gilbert Markham Tara Fitzgerald – Helen Graham Rupert Graves – Arthur Huntington Sarah Badel – Rachel Jackson Leach – Master Arthur Huntington Sean Gallagher – Walter Hargrave Jonathan Cake – Ralph Hattersley Joe Absolom – Fergus Markham Kenneth Cranham – Reverend Millward Pam Ferris – Mrs. Markham Cathy Murphy – Miss Myers Paloma Baeza – Rose Markham Aran Bell – Richard Wilson Miranda Pleasence – Eliza Millward James Purefoy – Frederick Lawrence Kim Durham – Benson Dominic Rowan – Lord Lowborough Beatie Edney – Annabella Wilmot, Lady Lowborough Janet Dale – Mrs. Wilson Susannah Wise – Millicent Hargrave Karen Westwood – Jane Wilson

Episodes

Reception It was hoped by the BBC that the serial would be as popular as the recent production of Pride and Prejudice, which had aired a year earlier. Indeed, some effort was put forward to promote a re-evaluation of Anne Brontë, with the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth creating an exhibition of costumes from the series. Ultimately, the series did not match the success of this prior series, although it received award nominations for costume and production design. It was also aired in over twenty countries and earned the BBC a total of £317,441.

Awards and nominations BAFTA TV Awards Won Best Make-Up and Hair Design – Jean Speak Nominated Best Costume Design – Rosalind Ebbutt Nominated Best Design – Sarah Greenwood Nominated Best Photography and Lighting (Fiction/Entertainment) – Daf Hobson Peabody Awards – 1998 Won – WGBH Boston and BBC Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards – 1997 Won Best Camera – Drama, Entertainment & Events – Daf Hobson Won Best Music – Original Score – Richard G. Mitchell Won Best Production Design – Drama – Sarah Greenwood Nominated Best Team

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