Bleak House

Name: Bleak House
Genre: Drama
Released: 2005-10-27
Rating: 8
Cast: Anna Maxwell Martin, Denis Lawson, Carey Mulligan, Gillian Anderson, Charles Dance

ENDED1 Season15 Episodes★ 8.0

Bleak House is a drama series on BBC One that premiered in 2005, ending after 1 season and 15 episodes.

Never miss an episode of Bleak House

Get an email the moment a new episode airs — plus alerts if it's renewed or canceled.

NetworkBBC One

First AiredOct 27, 2005

Last AiredDec 16, 2005

GenreDrama

Runtime55 min

Created ByAndrew Davies

LanguageEnglish

CountryUnited Kingdom

ProductionSmallweed Productions, BBC, GBH

The generous John Jarndyce, struggling with his own past, and his two young wards Richard and Ada, are all caught up, like Lady Dedlock, in the infamous case of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce, which will make one of them rich beyond imagination if it can ever be brought to a conclusion. As Tulkinghorn digs deeper into Lady Dedlock's past, he unearths a secret that will change their lives forever, and which is almost as astounding as the final outcome of the Jarndyce case.

WHERE TO WATCH

Some links may earn us a commission. Data via JustWatch / TMDB

Cast

Anna Maxwell Martin

Esther Summerson

Denis Lawson

John Jarndyce

Carey Mulligan

Ada Clare

Gillian Anderson

Lady Dedlock

Charles Dance

Mr. Tulkinghorn

Patrick Kennedy

Richard Carstone

Richard Harrington

Allan Woodcourt

Natalie Press

Caddy Jellyby

Burn Gorman

William Guppy

Seasons & Episodes1 season · 15 episodes

0% complete

E1Episode 1

Oct 27, 200558m★ 7.8

Young orphan Esther Summerson is brought to the High Court of Chancery, where she is thrown together with two wards of the court, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare. Both are caught up in the infamous suit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, which brings nothing but ruin and despair to all it touches. Esther, Richard and Ada are sent to live at Bleak House, where they receive a friendly welcome from their rich guardian John Jarndyce.

E2Episode 2

Oct 28, 200529m★ 7.8

Despite his grim discovery, Tulkinghorn remains undeterred from his ruthless inquiry into Lady Dedlock's past. A young crossing sweeper, Jo, may hold a key to the mystery. Krook discovers evidence in Nemo's room which could provide a crucial clue. Richard and Ada plan their engagement, but receive an unexpected setback. And as Richard begins a career in medicine, Esther meets an attractive young doctor called Allan Woodcourt.

E3Episode 3

Nov 3, 200529m★ 7.8

As Tulkinghorn edges closer to the truth, Lady Dedlock puts her reputation at risk when she pays an undercover visit to Nemo's former haunts. John Jarndyce finds himself increasingly attracted to Esther, but Richard makes an announcement which causes him dismay. And Woodcourt has news that comes as a terrible blow to Esther.

E4Episode 4

Nov 4, 200529m★ 8.2

A chance encounter in the country raises intriguing questions for Esther and Lady Dedlock. Legal clerk Guppy, still besotted with Esther, discovers surprising new information about her past and decides to dig deeper still. And Lady Dedlock's secret is far from safe, as Tulkinghorn stumbles across a lead which could destroy her reputation forever.

E5Episode 5

Nov 10, 200529m★ 8.0

Richard's inability to settle causes a rift with John Jarndyce, much to Ada's dismay. Tulkinghorn finally unearths the possible identity of the mysterious Nemo. Nemo's old friend Sergeant George has the evidence he needs to prove it and Tulkinghorn will stop at nothing to force George to hand it over. But George has even more problems when Gridley turns up on his doorstep, on the run from the law and infected with the fever.

E6Episode 6

Nov 11, 200529m★ 8.2

George's future is put at risk as Tulkinghorn uses the evil moneylender Smallweed to pile on the pressure. Guppy makes a discovery about Esther which shocks Lady Dedlock to the core. Esther and Jarndyce take in Jo the crossing sweeper, who is seriously ill and on the run from Tulkinghorn's men. But their kindness produces an unexpected result.

E7Episode 7

Nov 17, 200529m★ 9.0

George has to make an impossible decision when Tulkinghorn and Smallweed turn up the heat on his debts. Guppy's quest for information takes him back to Krook's shop, with explosive results. Jarndyce is beside himself when tragedy strikes Bleak House.

E8Episode 8

Nov 24, 200529m★ 9.0

Tulkinghorn is now close to piecing together Lady Dedlock's secret. Esther struggles to come to terms with the terrible blow she has been dealt. Jarndyce agonises over whether to keep his own feelings for Esther concealed. Lady Dedlock tells Esther something that will change her life for ever.

E9Episode 9

Nov 25, 200529m★ 8.7

Esther is shattered by Lady Dedlock's revelation. Richard's obsession with the Jarndyce case has grown to worrying proportions. Guppy puts himself at risk when he gets in the way of Tulkinghorn's enquiries. And Tulkinghorn at last has cast iron proof of Lady Dedlock's guilt, and issues her with a terrible ultimatum.

E10Episode 10

Dec 1, 200529m★ 9.3

Tulkinghorn believes Lady Dedlock is in his power, but she continues to defy him. George's anger knows no bounds when Tulkinghorn breaks his promise and leaves him in financial ruin. And a marriage proposal surprises Esther - but is it from the right man?

E11Episode 11

Dec 2, 200529m★ 9.3

Richard is in dire straits but Ada and Esther may be too late to help him. An unexpected meeting with Woodcourt raises uncomfortable questions for Esther. Jo the crossing sweeper is critically ill, and despite Woodcourt's best attempts it is a matter of life and death. Tulkinghorn discovers Lady Dedlock's defiance with disastrous consequences.

E12Episode 12

Dec 8, 200529m★ 8.7

Esther's feelings for Woodcourt grow stronger despite her best intentions. Inspector Bucket begins his murder investigation with no shortage of suspects. An early arrest appears to wrap the case up quickly, but a spate of poison pen letters suggests that all is not as it seems.

E13Episode 13

Dec 9, 200529m★ 9.0

Richard and Ada's news causes great concern for Esther and Jarndyce. Inspector Bucket's investigation gathers steam when he tracks down the mysterious letter writer. As evidence mounts against Lady Dedlock, Bucket sets a trap for the killer - with astonishing results.

E14Episode 14

Dec 15, 200529m★ 9.0

As Bucket wraps up his investigation, there's yet more trouble for Lady Dedlock in the shape of the evil moneylender Smallweed, who has evidence of her secret past and intends to use it. Cornered and desperate, Lady Dedlock makes a terrible decision.

E15Episode 15

Dec 16, 200529m★ 8.7

Richard's obsession with Chancery has left him desperately ill. Ada is pregnant but worries Richard will not live to see the child. When Woodcourt proposes marriage, Esther is torn between her love for him and her commitment to Jarndyce. The impossible finally happens - a result in Chancery - but it's one that will astound everybody.

About Bleak House

Bleak House is a drama series on BBC One. The show first aired on Oct 27, 2005 and currently has 1 season and 15 episodes. Bleak House has ended. It has a rating of 8.0/10 based on 67 votes. The cast includes Anna Maxwell Martin, Denis Lawson, Carey Mulligan, Gillian Anderson, Charles Dance. Created by Andrew Davies.