Dame Judi Dench, Francesca Annis, Dame Eileen Atkins, Sir Michael Gambon, Philip Glenister, Lesley Manville, Julia McKenzie, Imelda Staunton and Greg Wise star in Cranford, a new five-part period drama created by Sue Birtwistle and Susie Conklin and written by Heidi Thomas (I Capture The Castle, Madam Bovary, Lilies).

Based on three Elizabeth Gaskell novels – Cranford, My Lady Ludlow and Mr Harrison’s Confessions – this witty and poignant story follows the small absurdities and major tragedies in the lives of the people of Cranford during one extraordinary year.

Cranford in the 1840s is a small Cheshire market town on the cusp of change. The railway is pushing its way relentlessly towards the town from Manchester, bringing fears of migrant workers and the breakdown of law and order. The arrival of handsome new doctor Frank Harrison from London in the opening episode causes a stir – not only because of his revolutionary medical methods, but also because of the affect he has on many of the ladies’ hearts in the town.

Judi Dench plays Miss Matty Jenkyns, whose hopes and rebellious spirit were crushed when she was forced, as a young woman, to give up Mr Holbrook (Michael Gambon), the man she loved.

Sunday 18 November 9:00pm BBC1