Tess of the D'Urbervilles Icons

Find lovely icons such as these for Tess of the D'Urbervilles at this Live Journal site.

And beautiful wallpaper here.

This site features cast images, including this one of Hans Matheson.

Leading Men of Tess of the d'Urbervilles

There is quite a bit of eye candy in the new Masterpiece Classic production of Tess of the d'Urbervilles that premiered last Sunday on PBS. Part one featured two up and comming British actors in polar opposite roles emotionally. On one side we have the dark and seductive n'er do well Alec d'Urberville played by Hans Matheson, and on the other Angel Clare played by Eddie Redmayne who typifies his name, all angelic kindness and consideration. The two heros, or are they anti-heros, could not be farther apart in personality or intensions to our beautiful heroine Tess played sympathetically by Gemma Arterton. You can discover more about sultry dark eyed Scotsman Hans Matheson on his web site, and blue eyed boy next door Eddie Redmayne at his own web site too. Watch the finale of Tess of the d'Urbervilles next Sunday, January 11th at 9:00 EST on PBS.


You can catch up on part one at the Masterpiece website, and read reviews by Vic (Ms. Place) at Jane Austen's World & myself at Austenprose.

Don't forget to bring your hankies. You'll need them!

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Viewer Conflict Alert! Lost in Austen vs. Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Austenblog reports that Ovation Channel will begin showing Lost in Austen this Sunday at 9 PM, directly opposite the second installment of PBS's Tess of the D'Urbervilles, which means Amanda and Tess will be duking it out at the same time for a similar audience. Ouch. There are so few quality shows available, what's a woman of a certain sensibility to do?

Have no fear. PBS is offering videos for a full week after the broadcast on its site, and Ovation will be airing Lost in Austen segments throughout the week. (Ovation is available through Fios, I don't know about the other cable subscribers.) This conflict will extend through the airing of Masterpiece Classic's Wuthering Heights.

For our Lost in Austen reviews, click here.

• Vic (Ms. Place), Jane Austen’s World: Episode One, Episode Two, Episode Three & Episode Four

• Laurel Ann, Austenprose: Episode One, Episode Two, Episode Three & Episode Four

For our Tess of the D'Urbervilles reviews, click here.

• Laurel Ann, Austenprose, Episode One

• Vic, Jane Austen's World, Episode One

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Coming to PBS Masterpiece Classic Sunday, January 4 and January 11 at 9 p.m. EST, this 4-hour adaptation of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, the Thomas Hardy classic of a "pure woman faithfully presented" will tug at your heartstrings. Tess Durbeyfield lived in an age when life was repressive for women of her station. Wronged by two men, she manages to survive the best way she knows how, trying to maintain her dignity despite horrific circumstances. Published in 1891, Tess of the D'Urbervilles was so shocking that Hardy had to withold selected chapters during its first appearance in serial form.

Laura Linney, Masterpiece Classic's new host, introduces the series in a warm and natural manner that viewers will find pleasing.

Gemma Arterton (Lizzy Bennet in Lost in Austen) plays Tess Durbeyfield.

Tess is the eldest daughter of a poor family. In the face of near constant adverse circumstances, she holds onto her pure heart and sensitive soul.

Click here for PBS character description; here for BBC description



Eddy Redmayne (The Other Boleyn Girl) plays Angel Clare, Tess's true love.

Angel is an intelligent and kind clergyman's son. Tess first sees him at a Mayday dance but he ignores her. Tess meets him again at a farm where she's working as a milkmaid and they fall deeply in love.

Click here for PBS character description; here for BBC description.



Hans Matheson (The Virgin Queen) plays Alec D'Urbervilles, Tess's obsessed tormentor.

The son of Simon Stoke and Mrs. Stoke d'Urberville, Alec d'Urberville is an heir to a fortune and the nemesis and downfall of Tess. After going to work at The Slopes - Alec's family home - Tess falls into his clutches. He is the "tragic mischief" and she is easily seduced by his apparent charm and generosity. PBS Character Description; BBC Description.


Tess Reviews:

• Vic's review at Jane Austen's World: Nice Girls Do Finish Last
  

• Laurel Ann's review on Austenprose
  

• PBS's Remotely Connected

• SFGate

Gemma Arterton is Tess

Tess of the d'Urbervilles will be aired on Masterpiece Classic on your local PBS stations on Sunday, January 4th & January 11th. Gemma Arterton, who played Lizzy Bennet last fall in ITV's Lost in Austen will play the very innocent, naive Tess.

Click here to view the BBC's page on Tess Durbeyfield, and to read about the cast and characters.

Read an interview with Gemma at this link and a Times Online article about Gemma here, and a Mail Online article here.




Not to be outdone, here is the PBS page about Tess, where you can see a 30 sec clip.