1x1 - Episode 1

December 18, 2007

The moment where Oliver Twist asks for more gruel is right up there with Hamlet's "To be, or not to be" line. You know it's coming, you wait, you get ready because it's on its way and then, bam! it's arrived: "Please sir, I want some more". Newcomer William Miller, as Oliver, wisely plays it straight as he holds out his bowl and blinks his sweet saucer eyes at wicked workhouse boss Mr Bumble (Gregor Fisher) in Sarah Phelps's roistering dramatisation of the Dickens story.

1x2 - Episode 2

December 19, 2007

Oliver (William Miller) has seen his one chance of happiness snatched after he's abducted from his comfortable new home by wicked Bill Sikes (a creepily malevolent turn from Tom Hardy). But it's not just the ragged underworld that has it in for Oliver - the well-dressed and charming Monks (Julian Rhind-Tutt) also has his reasons for wishing the boy harm. We can only hope that Oliver's only friend, Nancy (Sophie Okonedo), will help him in his hour of need.

1x3 - Episode 3

December 20, 2007

Sikes escapes back to London with a badly wounded Oliver, and Nancy nurses him, determined to save his life. Mr Bumble declares his love for Mrs Corney. Rose continues to search for Oliver, but is discovered by Monks, who tells Brownlow of her secret mission

1x4 - Episode 4

December 21, 2007

Despite Corney and Bumble's attempts to extort money from him, Monks quickly gets the upper hand and leaves with the necklace, letter and a page of the register recording Oliver's birth. Nancy cares for Oliver, promising that she will get him back to the safety of the Brownlows. Dodger, however, is aware of Nancy's betrayal, putting her in grave danger.

1x5 - Episode 5

December 22, 2007

At the moment, wicked Bill Sikes (Tom Hardy) has the boy in his clutches, but nasty Monks (a slyly charming Julian Rhind-Tutt) is also on his trail. Of course, as this is a well-loved and well-read piece of English literature, there's not much mystery as to the outcome. But the pace keeps up nicely and there is still some tension as poor, ill-used little Oliver (William Miller) is bundled from one set of grubby hands to another, while his benefactor Mr Brownlow (Edward Fox) tries to rescue him from a life of crime and penury. There are some unpleasant bits that might alarm younger children, but they can rest assured that all will turn out for the best.

1x6 - Episode 6

December 25, 2007

Finale: Sikes goes on the run with Oliver, whom he thinks will be his protection. Meanwhile, Brownlow and the police search Fagin's den.

Gregor Fisher

Mr. Bumble

Edward Fox

Mr. Brownlow

Tom Hardy

Bill Sikes

Timothy Spall

Fagin

Sophie Okonedo

Nancy

Julian Rhind-Tutt

Edward

Morven Christie

Rose Maylie

William Miller

Oliver Twist

Sarah Lancashire

Mrs. Corney

Nicola Walker

Sally

Adam Arnold

Artful Dodger

John Sessions

Mr. Sowerberry

Michelle Gomez

Mrs. Sowerberry

Rob Brydon

Mr. Fang

Anna Massey

Mrs. Bedwin

Connor Catchpole

Pearly

Paul Chahidi

The Quack

Anton Valensi

Chancer

Edward Tudor-Pole

Mr. Slipsby

Ruby Bentall

Charlotte