John Durbeyfield (Ian Pulseton-Davies), a “haggler” and a drunk, is weaving his way one afternoon towards the pub when he meets the village priest, Parson Tringham (Donald Sumpter).
Alec D’Urberville is the son of Simon Stoke and Mrs D’Urberville. He is an heir to a fortune and the nemesis and downfall of Tess.
Angel Clare is the son of a clergyman; Tess’s husband and true love.
Gemma Arterton brings to life Hardy’s beautiful, iconic heroine, Tess Durbeyfield, the eldest daughter of a poor rural working family; a fresh, pretty country girl with a good heart and a sensitive soul.
I read the novel for the first time when I was 16, rather grudgingly, as part of an exam curriculum, and I don’t think I can recall ever being so affected by a book.
Gemma Arterton stars as Tess, the spirited heroine, in the new four part adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s immortal work from BBC Drama Productions for BBC One.
