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The Mayor of Casterbridge

1978 · 1 season · 50m per episode · Drama

The Dennis Potter adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic tale

The Mayor of Casterbridge is a 1978 BBC seven-part serial based on the eponymous 1886 book by the British novelist Thomas Hardy. The six-hour drama was written by dramatist Dennis Potter and directed by David Giles, with Alan Bates as the title character. Michael Henchard, an out-of-work hay-trusser, gets drunk at a fair and, for five guineas, sells his wife and child to a sailor. When the horror of his act finally sets in, Henchard swears he will not touch alcohol for twenty-one years. Through hard work and acumen, he becomes rich, respected, and eventually the mayor of Casterbridge. But eighteen years after his fateful oath, his wife and daughter return to Casterbridge, and his fortunes steadily decline.

Where to watch The Mayor of Casterbridge

The Mayor of Casterbridge is streaming in the US on WETA+.

Streaming data by JustWatch, for the US. Availability changes often — open Social Entertainment to see providers for your own region.

Seasons

• Miniseries — 7 episodes (January 22, 1978)

Cast

• Alan Bates as Michael Henchard
• Janet Maw as Elizabeth-Jane II
• Jack Galloway as Donald Farfrae

Details

Created by

Dennis Potter

First aired

January 22, 1978

Episodes

7

Genres

Drama

Network

BBC Two

Status

Ended

TMDB score

6.8 / 10 from 4 votes