Masterpiece 
Monday nights on PBA 30
For more than 35 years, Masterpiece has enthralled audiences with the works of the finest classic and contemporary writers interpreted by the world’s foremost actors.
Online Resources
- March 29, 20109:00pmWuthering Heights
This thrilling adaptation of Emily Bronte’s haunting novel chronicles the passionate spiritual bond between Heathcliff, an abandoned gypsy boy adopted by the Earnshaw family of Wuthering Heights, and the family’s daughter, Cathy.
- March 22, 20109:15pm39 Steps
Rupert Penry-Jones (Persuasion) stars in this adaptation of the popular John Buchan adventure novel popularized by the Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name. This version, set on the eve of World War One, is filled with romance and humor as it tells the tale of a mining engineer caught up in a conspiracy following the death of a British spy found in his apartment.
- March 1, 20109:00mDavid Copperfield
This two-part adaptation of the beloved Charles Dickens novel boasts an all-star cast, including Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith, Ian McKellen, and Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe. Dickens based this novel on his own difficult journey from boy to manhood.
- February 22, 20109:00pmDavid Copperfield
This two-part adaptation of the beloved Charles Dickens novel boasts an all-star cast, including Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith, Ian McKellen, and Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe. Dickens based this novel on his own difficult journey from boy to manhood.
Continues Monday, March 1 at 9:00pm
- February 15, 20109:00pmEmma
The conclusion of this new version of the classic Jane Austin novel about a tireless matchmaker who strives to find a romantic partner for her protégée, while ignoring her own desires for a love interest. Romola Garai (Atonement) and Sir Michael Gambon star.
- February 8, 201010:00pmEmma
Part two of the classic Jane Austin novel about a tireless matchmaker who strives to find a romantic partner for her protégée, while ignoring her own desires for a love interest. Romola Garai (Atonement) and Sir Michael Gambon star.
- February 7, 20101:00pmReturn to Cranford
Dame Judi Dench returns in this sequel to the Emmy-nominated Cranford miniseries based on the novels of Elizabeth Gaskell. This two-part continues the story about the absurdities and tragedies in the lives of the people of Cranford during the 1840’s.
- February 1, 20109:00pmEmma
This is a new three-part version of the classic Jane Austin novel about a tireless matchmaker who strives to find a romantic partner for her protégée, while ignoring her own desires for a love interest. Romola Garai (Atonement) and Sir Michael Gambon star.
- January 11, 201010:00pmPersuasion
This adaptation of the novel tells the tale of Anne Elliot, women destined for spinsterhood at age 27 after being persuaded eight years earlier to refuse the proposal of dashing Captain Wentworth. Chance brings them together again, but this time, the Captain is rich and free to play the field among eligible young beauties.
- January 4, 20109:00pmTess of the D’Urbervilles
This two-part mini-series is a new adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel that tells the heartbreaking tale of a woman violated by one man and forsaken by another. Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace) stars as the spirited heroine, Tess D’Urberville.
- December 28, 20099:00pmTess of the D’Urbervilles
This two-part mini-series is a new adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel that tells the heartbreaking tale of a woman violated by one man and forsaken by another. Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace) stars as the spirited heroine, Tess D’Urberville.
- December 21, 200910:15pmCollision
This two-part drama tells the story of a multi-vehicle road accident and the ten very different people who share this single defining moment. The investigation into the accident reveals shocking secrets about those involved, which includes government cover-ups, smuggling, embezzlement, and murder.
- December 14, 20099:30pmCollision
This two-part drama tells the story of a multi-vehicle road accident and the ten very different people who share this single defining moment. The investigation into the accident reveals shocking secrets about those involved, which includes government cover-ups, smuggling, embezzlement, and murder.
- December 13, 200911:00amBleak House
Gillian Anderson stars in this six-part adaptation of one of Charles Dickens’ most brilliant novels. The story is a coming-of-age tale for a young woman in Victorian London that is also a mystery with some of the most famous plot twists in literary history.
- November 26, 20098:00pmSense and Sensibility
On a special day, the Jane Austin series continues with this two-part adaptation of the popular novel about two sisters that attract a trio of quality gentlemen suitors, despite their rather meager financial situation.
- November 26, 200911:00pmPersuasion
Our special Jane Austn day continues! This adaptation of the novel tells the tale of Anne Elliot, women destined for spinsterhood at age 27 after being persuaded eight years earlier to refuse the proposal of dashing Captain Wentworth. Chance brings them together again, but this time, the Captain is rich and free to play the field among eligible young beauties.
- November 16, 20099:00pmPlace of Execution
This two-part psychological thriller was based on a novel by best-selling author Val McDermid and tells the tale of a journalist that comes to an English village in hopes of making a film about a mysterious disappearance of a 13-year old girl 40 years earlier. What she discovers about the mystery shatters the life of all involved.
- November 9, 20099:30pmPlace of Execution
This two-part psychological thriller was based on a novel by best-selling author Val McDermid and tells the tale of a journalist that comes to an English village in hopes of making a film about a mysterious disappearance of a 13-year old girl 40 years earlier. What she discovers about the mystery shatters the life of all involved.
- November 2, 20099:00pmEndgame
This real-life political thriller starring William Hurt tells the little-known story of the secret meetings and negotiations that took place while South Africa teetered on the brink of a civil war.
In the end, seemingly bitter enemies forged a bond of trust and friendship that led to a peaceful resolution and the ultimate release of Nelson Mandela. - November 1, 200911:00amCranford
This three-part drama starring Judi Dench is an adaptation of the Elizabeth Gaskell novel of the same name about the absurdities and tragedies in the lives of the people of Cranford during a one-year period in the 1840’s. The small Cheshire market town is on the cusp of change as a railway line is being built and fears of migrant workers and potential lawlessness emerge.
- October 26, 2009Inspector Lewis “The Point of Vanishing”
The murder of a small-time criminal leads Lewis to a prominent Oxford don-turned-celebrity atheist, who years earlier had been the intended target of a botched murder attempt. Lewis must determine if these isolated incidents have a connection.
- October 19, 2009Inspector Lewis “Quality of Mercy”
When a young actor is murdered during a student Shakespeare production, Lewis must sift through the motives of several suspects, which include a jealous thespian, an Oxford dropout, and a playgoer. During the investigation, Lewis discovers a dark secret that hits close to home.
- October 12, 20099:00pmInspector Lewis “Allegory of Love”
Lewis must uncover the hidden connections between a murdered Czech barmaid, two puzzling clues in the form of a bloodstained note and a broken antique mirror, and a prominent Oxford professor.
- October 5, 2009Inspector Lewis “The Good and the Great”
Inspector Lewis, former sidekick to the legendary Inspector Morse, is back with the Thames Valley Police in the city of Oxford, England. In this episode, he is investigating the death of an American college student. The trail leads to mastanother student, whose family has a dark secret.
- September 21, 20099:00pmInspector Lewis “Life Born of Fire”
A serial killer appears to be targeting a religious group that claims to give guidance to lost souls. As Lewis learns more about the group and their true purpose, he begins to doubt his trust in his associate, who has a personal connection to the organization.
- September 14, 20099:30pmInspector Lewis “Music to Die For”
The worlds of no-rules boxing and Cold War intrigue surround the death of a prominent Oxford official.
- September 7, 20099:00pmInspector Lewis “And the Moombeans Kiss the Sea”
The theft of some rare books and the murders of an Oxford Fine Art student and a library maintenance engineer leads Lewis to a connection with a local gambling addiction group and two talented painters.
- August 24, 200911:00pmThe Unseen Alistair Cooke
This biography profiles Cooke, the former host of Masterpiece Theatre, and provides details of his personal life that will fascinate and surprise those that only knew of him through his appearances on television.
- August 17, 20099:00pmCranford
This three-part drama starring Judi Dench is an adaptation of the Elizabeth Gaskell novel of the same name about the absurdities and tragedies in the lives of the people of Cranford during a one-year period in the 1840’s. The small Cheshire market town is on the cusp of change as a railway line is being built and fears of migrant workers and potential lawlessness emerge.
continues
- Monday, August 24 at 9:00pm
- Monday, August 31 at 9:00pm - August 10, 200910:00pmMiss Marple “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?”
The last words of a dying man lead the sole witness to team with a beautiful socialite and Miss Marple to find out if foul play was involved. A hotbed of homicide and intrigue ensue.
- July 27, 20099:00pmMiss Marple “They Do It with Mirrors”
During the rehearsal for an amateur show, the power goes out and a murder takes place. Miss Marple, having witnessed the commotion, must decipher the elaborate trick played by the killer.
- July 20, 20099:00pmMiss Marple “Murder is Easy”
A woman on the train tells Miss Marple about a series of perfect murders in her village. When the woman later falls to her death, the grey-haired sleuth vows to get to the bottom of the mysterious string of “accidents”.
- July 13, 200910:00pmMiss Marple “Pocketful of Rye”
Miss Marple investigates a string of murders in which the killer seems obsessed with the nursery rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence”.
- July 6, 20099:00pmPoirot “Mrs. McGinty’s Dead”
David Suchet reprises his signature role as suave Belgian detective Hercule Poirot in this adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel. Poirot joins forces with a famed crime novelist to save a man from the gallows, although it puts his own life in danger.
