The Mayor of Casterbridge

Synopsis

The Mayor of Casterbridge is a 1978 BBC seven-part serial based on the eponymous 1886 book by the British novelist Thomas Hardy. The six-hour drama was written by dramatist Dennis Potter and directed by David Giles, with Alan Bates as the title character. Michael Henchard, an out-of-work hay-trusser, gets drunk at a fair and, for five guineas, sells his wife and child to a sailor. When the horror of his act finally sets in, Henchard swears he will not touch alcohol for twenty-one years. Through hard work and acumen, he becomes rich, respected, and eventually the mayor of Casterbridge. But eighteen years after his fateful oath, his wife and daughter return to Casterbridge, and his fortunes steadily decline.

First Air Date: 1978-01-22

Last Air Date: 1978-03-05

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 7

Created By: Dennis Potter

Networks: BBC Two

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Alan Bates as Michael Henchard
Janet Maw as Elizabeth-Jane II
Jack Galloway as Donald Farfrae
Anna Massey as Lucetta Farfrae (née Templeman)
Ronald Lacey as Joshua Jopp
Clifford Parrish as Longways
Peter Bourke as Abel Whittle
Jeffrey Holland as Carter
Alan Rowe as Mr Joyce
Richard Owens as Richard Newson

Seasons

Miniseries (1978)

Michael Henchard, an out-of-work hay-trusser, gets drunk at a fair and, for five guineas, sells his wife and child to a sailor. When the horror of his act finally sets in, Henchard swears he will not touch alcohol for twenty-one years. Through hard work and acumen, he becomes rich, respected, and eventually the mayor of Casterbridge. But eighteen years after his fateful oath, his wife and daughter return to Casterbridge, and his fortunes steadily decline.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Part One (1978-01-22)

Michael Henchard sells his wife and child to a sailor at a country fair, while drunk. Over 21 years, he prospers and becomes mayor of the town. Then his wife and daughter return.
Ep. 2: Part Two (1978-01-29)

Henchard is now Mayor of Casterbridge. When his wife returns, eighteen years after he sold her, he decides they must remarry.
Ep. 3: Part Three (1978-02-05)

The jealous Henchard has sacked Donald Farfrae and forbidden him to see Elizabeth-Jane. When his wife Susan dies it is just the start of his troubles.
Ep. 4: Part Four (1978-02-12)

Elizabeth-Jane is now working for Lucetta, who, having been the subject of Henchard's attentions, is now interested in Farfrae. The furious Henchard plans to ruin his rival...
Ep. 5: Part Five (1978-02-19)

Henchard's secret is out. Denounced as a wife-seller and with his business in trouble his discovery that Lucetta has married Farfrae completes his humiliation.
Ep. 6: Part Six (1978-02-26)

Farfrae becomes Mayor of Casterbridge. Lucetta, afraid that Henchard will expose her, asks him to return her love letters.
Ep. 7: Part Seven (1978-03-05)

Lucetta has died, the victim of an evil trick. Henchard's conciliation with Elizabeth is short-lived: when her father comes to claim her Henchard pretends she is dead.