Maxine Peake, James Nesbitt, Harriet Walter, Lucy Punch, Lucinda Raikes and Mona Hammond star in Cinderella, the second episode in BBC One’s anthology of contemporary adaptations of classic fairy tales.

Cindy Mellor is a cleaner at a university but desperately wants to study anthropology. When Professor HM Prince comes to lecture, he announces that he’s preparing for an expedition to Borneo and is in search of a female assistant. He is intent on proving his acclaimed theory on the primary role of the male in human evolution. No one is more passionate about anthropology than Cindy, but is there any chance that the assistant’s job could be given to the cleaner? Professor Brooks, an ambitious lecturer who heads up the department, is determined that one of her students gets the job, either the gorgeous Fenola or the brainy Phoebe.

Determined to write a knockout job application, Cindy steals Phoebe’s library pass, but when she gets to meet Professor Prince she tells him he’s pompous. Nevertheless, she hands in her application only for it to be torn up by Professor Brooks, who has no intention of letting a cleaner apply for an important job. Cindy comes across Prince in the anthropology lab; they talk and he is impressed by her attitude and invites her to be interviewed. Cindy’s happiness is short-lived, however, as Professor Brooks makes sure that Cindy’s interview never takes place. Cindy almost gives up on her dream but her fellow cleaner, the wise Alice, encourages her to continue on her quest. They travel to a castle where Prince is giving a career-defining gala lecture.

Cindy meets Prince and asks for the interview she was promised. She is the only one to challenge him and he’s intrigued by her talents. Cindy is heartbroken when she learns that he is about to announce Fenola’s appointment. After she flees, Prince realises that he loves her and sets out to find Cindy and win her heart.

Maxine Peake stars as Cindy and James Nesbitt as Professor Prince. Harriet Walter plays Professor Brooks, Lucy Punch plays Fenola, Lucinda Raikes plays Phoebe and Mona Hammond plays Alice.

Thursday 17 January
9.00-10.00pm BBC ONE