Created by Tony Jordan and starring Stephen Rea, Tuppence Middleton and Caroline Quentin, the drama series Dickensian ran on BBC television from 2015 until 2016. Each of the twenty episodes is an original reimagining of Charles Dickens’ critically acclaimed novels, bringing together iconic characters from different works and allowing them to interact in new plot lines and scenarios based in the evocative atmosphere of nineteenth-century London.

BookTalk will be hosting two excellent speakers to explore the series, Dickens’ novels, and questions of adaptation for television:

• Prof. Holly Furneaux (School of English, Communication and Philosophy, Cardiff): expert in nineteenth-century literature and academic adviser to Dickensian.
• Dr Ruth McElroy (University of South Wales): expert in television studies and Director of the Creative Industries Research Institute at USW.

There will be a showing of extracts from the show, conversation between Ruth and Holly, and then the opportunity for audience questions and discussion. You may like to read a Dickens novel of your choice, re-read your favourite or even watch Dickensian in preparation for the session.

As usual, the main event will be preceded by a reception with tea, coffee and biscuits at 6.30pm in Cardiff University’s School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ.

All welcome! Find out more about the event by visiting the BookTalk website.