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Bleak Expectations. Image shows from L to R: Mr Gently Benevolent (Anthony Head), Hardthrasher (Geoffrey Whitehead), Aunt Lily (Celia Imrie), Young Pip (Tom Allen), Mr Gently Benevolent (Anthony Head), Sir Philip (Richard Johnson). Image credit: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Bleak Expectations

'Bleak Expectations' Related Trivia

Writer Mark Evans takes on a small cameo part in each episode. For example, in Episode 3.4 he plays the part of the lion.

Geoffrey Whitehead plays a different evil sibling in each of the episodes - and is always killed (often accidently) by Pip.

In the first series Whitehead played a different Hardthrasher brother in each of the episodes; in the second series he played the equally-evil Sternbeaters; and in Series 3 he plays various members of the Wackwallop family.

A non-broadcast pilot was made of the first episode of Bleak Expectations in March 2006. The cast for the pilot included Joanna Page (as Pippa); Tom Hollander (Gently Benevolent); James Bachman (Harry); Kim Wall (Thomas); Sophie Thompson (Agnes, Pip's mother); and Kellie Bright (Poppy).

Amongst the more famous fans of Bleak Expectations include Ben Schott, the creator of Schott's Almanac.

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