Disappointed Great Expectations viewers said they had to switch gears as they watched the first episode of the BBC1 series on Sunday night.
Those who watched the 1861 adaptation of Charlies Dickens’ novel complained that it was “too dark,” contained too many curses, and was “unrecognizable” from the original story.
Written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen, the novel was given a new twist, but those who watched this version at home were left unimpressed.
The series stars Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham – who is portrayed as an opium addict – while starring Fionn Whitehead as Pip, Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella, Ashley Thomas as Mr Jaggers and Johnny Harris as Magwitch.
One tweeted in reaction to the first part: “#GreatExpectations Too dark, too sweary, too unrecognizable”.
Oh no: Disappointed Great Expectations viewers said they had to switch gears while watching the first episode of the BBC1 series (Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham) on Sunday night.
Not happy: Those tuning in to the adaptation of Charlies Dickens’ 1861 novel complained that it was “too dark”, contained too much swearing and was unrecognizable from the original story (young Pip is pictured).
Another said: “Why does the BBC have to keep using the ‘f’ word even in a Dickens story? #Great expectations.’
A third said: “That whirring noise is Charles Dickens turning in his grave. WTF BBC? #Great expectations.’
Another said: “I don’t have high expectations here. I feel the need to turn it off!’
After just a few minutes, another said: “Already hit the off button #GreatExpectations.”
Another wrote: “Not a good start so far. This is less of an adjustment and more of a confection! Why does the BBC think it has the creative ability to improve on Dickens? It really hasn’t! excited about. #Great expectations.’
Another disappointed viewer said: “Well I managed to watch 18 minutes… and that was enough. Now over to Netflix #GreatExpectations.”
Someone else said, “Not as much as the book has been. #Great expectations.’
Another said: “New #GreatExpectations isn’t great…”
Reaction: One wrote on Twitter in reaction after the first episode: “#GreatExpectations Too dark, too swearing, too unrecognizable”
Cast: The series stars Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham (pictured), who is portrayed as an opium addict, while starring Fionn Whitehead as Pip, Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella, Ashley Thomas as Mr. Jaggers and Johnny Harris as Magwitch are
Adaptation: Written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen, the novel was given a new twist, but those who watched this version at home were left unimpressed (young Pip pictured).
Happy: However, there were a few who enjoyed the episode, commenting, “Different, exciting, brilliant rendition. Absolutely fantastic’
However, there were some who enjoyed the episode, with one quote: “Different, exciting, brilliant rendition. Absolutely fantastic.’
Another said: “I enjoyed the first episode of #GreatExpectations after reading some of the comments on Twitter. Some people judge/criticize very quickly or expect so much at once.’
A third said: “That was a fast hour. I really enjoyed that!’
Great Expectations is Steven’s second adaptation of Dickens, following the successful limited series A Christmas Carol.
Author Charles first published the work in a series of weekly chapters beginning in December 1860 before subsequently publishing it as a novel.
His famous novel follows the story of Pip who lives with his sister Mrs. Joe Gargery and her husband Joe, a blacksmith.
The embittered Miss Havisham plans a meeting between young Pip and Estella to make him fall in love with her so she can break his heart.
Line of Duty actress Shalom plays the aloof and enigmatic Estella, who becomes Pip’s obsession.
Steven adapted Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for the BBC in 2019, starring Guy Pearce as Scrooge.
There have been many adaptations of the classic novel over the years, both on the big and small screens.
War and Peace actress Tuppence Middleton, 35, played the character as a younger woman in 2016 BBC series Dickensian.
Helena Bonham Carter, 56, portrayed Miss Havisham in Mike Newell’s 2012 film adaptation, starring Jeremy Irvine as Pip and Ralph Fiennes as Abel Magwitch.
Gillian Anderon, 54, was a slightly more glamorous and youthful incarnation of the character a year earlier in a BBC mini-series starring Douglas Booth and Vanessa Kirby.
In 1999, Charlotte Rampling, 77, played the role opposite Ioan Gruffudd’s Pip, while Anne Bancroft played a modernized version of the character in Alfonso Cuarón’s 1998 film version, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke.
Previous versions include portraying Jean Simmons in a 1989 miniseries, having previously played Estella in David Lean’s 1946 film opposite Martita Hunt as Miss Havisham.
Miss Marple actress Joan Hickson played the role in 1981, while Margaret Leighton took over the role in 1974.
One of Miss Havisham’s earliest screen portrayals was Florence Reed in the 1934 film.
Miss Havisham is usually portrayed as an older woman, but is in her mid-30s by the beginning of Dickens’ novel.
In this version, creator Stephen has also included references to the British Empire’s connections to the slave trade, with several characters hammering out an anti-colonial message.
Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, said: “What I didn’t want – and I don’t think Dickens ever tried – was to do something specifically political.
“He never banged the drum, he just said, ‘That’s what’s going on,’ and people could draw their own conclusions. There were certain things one couldn’t write about in Dickens’ day: certain elements of sexuality, criminality, disobedience to the crown and the state.
“I’ve been trying to imagine if Dickens was writing the story now and had the freedom to go into those darker places, what would he do? If he had been freed to write the things that were going on that he wasn’t allowed to write about.’
Other notable scenes feature an ecstatic Mr. Pumblechook getting spanked in a dingy bedroom.
Colman, who plays the abandoned Miss Havisham, said: “When I first read Steven Knight’s script I thought it was a lot darker than what I remembered from school. Quite a few butt slapping moments I didn’t remember from the original Dickens! There were some changes and I found it quite gripping.’
It’s Colman’s turn when the wealthy maid sees her addicted to opium and frequently inhales from a pipe in her rotting wedding dress while she teaches Pip – played by Tom Sweet as a child and then Fionn Whitehead – how to be a gentleman.
One such lesson is to offer him to a member of the local church to lose his virginity on his 18th birthday.
The first episode begins with Pip contemplating suicide on a bridge rather than being approached by the criminal Magwitch in the swamps. Later scenes see him refusing to make a significant sum of money from selling handcuffs and chains used in slave imprisonment. Magwitch says empire was built on the lies of privileged white men.
Critics have condemned the new version’s use of profanity, with Pip yelling “get your f*cking hands off me” in episode one.
Speaking of the famous role, Olivia explained: “Miss Havisham is a woman who was madly in love with someone; she wanted to get married and he never showed up. Her life pretty much stopped from that moment.
“She’s actually only in her forties, but she’s always portrayed as a much older woman. We went for long white hair and lots of broken veins. We think she’s white with shock and heartbreak.
Harrowing: Colman’s Miss Havisham is seen struggling with addiction in a scene in an upcoming episode
Stars: (L-R) Young Pip (Tom Sweet); Sara Gargery (Hayley Squires) and Joe Gargery (Owen McDonnell)
New Life: Amidst great expectations, Pip must weigh the cost of this new world and whether it will truly make him the man he wants to be (Chloe Lea as young Estella).
Plan: Bitter Miss Havisham plans a meeting between young Pip and Estella so he can fall in love with her so she can break his heart (Matt Berry pictured as Mr Pumblechook)
“In this version, she’s addicted to opium, so she’s lived a bit of a life — indoors, no sunshine.
“She adopts a baby, Estella, who in a way trains her to be an assassin; Hurting men as much as she was hurt.’
Great Expectations also stars Ashley Thomas, Johnny Harris, Hayley Squires, Owen McDonnell, Laurie Ogden, Matt Berry, Trystan Gravelle and Rudi Dharmalingam.
Great Expectations will be broadcast on BBC from 26 March 2023.