'The Old Curiosity Shop'

(Cross-posted at Dickensblog.)

“Little” Nell is taller and less delicate-looking than one would expect. She’s even a redhead! Well, that’s not such a bad thing—given her reputation, a little shaking-up of expectations can’t hurt.

Toby Jones has just the right face for Quilp. And just the right manner. Poor Mrs. Quilp!

Eww! “How’d you like to be my wife?” Someone pass me the brain bleach, quick.

Wow, this debtor's prison makes Little Dorrit's look like paradise!

I don’t know what I think of Geoff Breton as Swiveller yet, except that he has way too much hair. But I suppose it’s not fair to hold that against the actor.

Oh, dear. Derek Jacobi’s going to break my heart in this, I can already tell.

My word. Poor Mrs. Quilp. I wish her mother would take her and get the heck out of there.

Sophie Vavasseur doesn’t change expression much, although she’s had a good moment or two so far—most notably when Quilp started slurping up Grandfather’s dinner. I guess it’s the nature of the role—and the streamlining of the role. The book at least let her laugh once in a while.
( And the grimness continues. . . )