Tess of the D'Urbervilles

The story of Tess Durbeyfield, a low-born country girl whose family find they have noble connections.

Tess of the D'Urbervilles (2008) is a British BBC One period drama miniseries created as a literary adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel. Gemma Arterton plays Tess Durbeyfield, a low-born country girl whose family learns of noble connections, and Eddie Redmayne plays Angel Clare, the idealistic gentleman she meets. Hans Matheson plays Alec D'Urberville, the wealthy man whose attentions complicate her life, while Ruth Jones and Ian Puleston-Davies play her struggling parents. The engine of the story is Tess's search for dignity and love in a society that reads her birth and her past as a verdict on her worth. Told across four one-hour episodes, the miniseries moves through rural farm labor, family hardship, and the social pressures of a rigid hierarchy. Set in nineteenth century rural England, it is a lush yet harsh costume drama. Its tone is melancholic and emotionally charged, with a sense of fate closing in. Fans of Jane Eyre, Far from the Madding Crowd and Poldark will find resonance in its period romance and tragic heroine.

Audiences regard this BBC costume adaptation as a positive, handsomely mounted and emotionally affecting version of Hardy's novel, with a strong central performance.

• Jane Eyre (2006)victorian rural hardship, doomed romance, costume drama
• Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)thomas hardy adaptation, rural england tragedy, period romance
• Poldarkperiod literary romance, class barriers, tragic heroine
• Wives and Daughtersvictorian british period drama, class tension, heroine's moral struggle

Release Date

2008-09-14

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

7.6 / 10 (67)

What is Tess of the D'Urbervilles about?

A low-born country girl's life is upended when her family learns of noble connections, drawing her into a fatal romantic entanglement.

What is Tess of the D'Urbervilles like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tess of the D'Urbervilles as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Tess of the D'Urbervilles violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Tess of the D'Urbervilles as mild.

What did critics think of Tess of the D'Urbervilles?

Audiences regard this BBC costume adaptation as a positive, handsomely mounted and emotionally affecting version of Hardy's novel, with a strong central performance.

Which shows are like Tess of the D'Urbervilles?

Shows with a similar feel include Jane Eyre (2006), Far from the Madding Crowd (2015), Poldark, and Wives and Daughters.

How long is Tess of the D'Urbervilles?

Tess of the D'Urbervilles: 1 season, 4 episodes.

Is Tess of the D'Urbervilles still running?

No, Tess of the D'Urbervilles has ended.

Where can I watch Tess of the D'Urbervilles?

In United States, Tess of the D'Urbervilles streams on Britbox Apple TV channel.