Miss Amelia Havisham

We met the older Miss Havisham in Great Expectations. In the novel she is an elderly woman who insisted on wearing her wedding dress for the rest of her life after being jilted at the altar.

In Dickensian, Amelia is still a young woman. Opening with the death of her father, Miss Havisham finds out she has inherited everything and dedicates her life to running his business.

Miss Havisham is played by War and Peace actor Tuppence Middleton.

Inspector Bucket 

The respected inspector first made an appearance in the novel Bleak House in which he is the moral centre of the drama. Bucket is shrewd, caring and has a dedication to justice.

In Dickensian, Inspector Bucket is central to the whodunnit story. He is on the hunt for a killer and there is no crime he can’t solve. 

Inspector Bucket is played BAFTA-winning actor Stephen Rea (The Honourable Woman, War and Peace).

The Artful Dodger

One of Dickens’ most famous characters, the Artful Dodger is a lovable rogue and star pickpocket of Fagin’s gang in Oliver Twist. Dodger gives a starving Oliver food when he first arrives in London.

In Dickensian, Dodger is Fagin’s right-hand man and he is fearless and loyal. But will Fagin repay his loyalty?

The Artful Dodger is played by young actor Wilson Radjou-Pujalte. 

Mrs Gamp

A morally questionable nurse, Mrs Gamp first appeared in Martin Chuzzlewit. She is a quick-witted woman with a penchant for gin. She was originally used as a model for the old-style of nursing that Dickens disapproved of.

In Dickensian, her best patient is Silas Wegg who conveniently runs the Three Cripples Pub.

Mrs Gamp is played by highly awarded actor Pauline Collins, who has starred in Doctor Who, Bleak House and the film Albert Nobbs.

Meriwether Compeyson

Straight out of Great Expectations, Meriwether Compeyson is a smooth-talking and charming schemer who has his associate Magwitch do the dirtiest work for him. 

In Dickensian, Compeyson is a good looking young man who steps in to aid Miss Havisham. But is he a villain in disguise?

Meriwether Compeyson is played by Spooks actor Tom Weston-Jones.

Ebenezer Scrooge

Now a well-known character, Ebenezer Scrooge is the miserly old man from A Christmas Carol who despises the festive season. 

In Dickensian, Scrooge is a moneylender and the business partner of Jacob Marley. He is merciless and unfriendly, especially to his clerk Bob Cratchit.

Ebenezer Scrooge is played by Peaky Blinders and Parade’s End actor Ned Dennehy.

Fagin

In Oliver Twist, Fagin is the leader of a group of children who he teaches to pickpocket and commit other crimes in exchange for shelter. He is a pragmatist and a survivor. 

In Dickensian, Fagin knows Inspector Bucket wants to take him down, but he enjoys evading him.

Fagin is played by prolific British actor Anton Lesser, who has also appeared in Wolf Hall, Game of Thrones and Ripper Street.

Bob Cratchit

Another character from A Christmas Carol, Bob Cratchit is the often abused and always underpaid clerk of Ebenezer Scrooge. 

In Dickensian, Cratchit is struggling to make ends meet and feed his large family – but having a miserly employer and a sick son, Tiny Tim, doesn’t help his situation. Although Cratchit is poor, he sees the silver lining in every situation. 

Bob Cratchit is played by Wolf Hall and Gavin and Stacey actor Robert Wilfort.

Other characters to look out for:

Bill Sikes – Oliver Twist

Captain James Hawdon – Bleak House

Honoria Barbary – Bleak House

Jaggers – Great Expectations

Mr and Mrs Bumble – Oliver Twist

Mr Venus – Our Mutual Friend

Nell – The Old Curiosity Shop

Silas Wegg – Our Mutual Friend

Tiny Tim – A Christmas Carol

Stream the full season of Dickensian from Monday 3 December at midday on TVNZ OnDemand.