The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1982)

EndedScripted showDrama

This Nicholas Nickleby is the Royal Shakespeare Company's epic eight-and-a-half-hour adaptation of the life and times of the eponymous school-teacher. The 1982 production (originally staged in two parts) won worldwide acclaim and was such a success that Britain's then-newest TV station, Channel 4, launched a joint venture with independent production company Primetime to bring Nicholas Nickleby to a television audience. The result is this wonderfully theatrical version, filmed at the Old Vic and starring much of the original stage cast. It manages to stay true to Trevor Nunn's original artistic vision of Dickens's damning incitement of England's educational system. The ensemble cast are superb: Roger Rees as Nicholas is a bright-eyed idealist, every inch the young romantic hero whose principles are often his downfall, but ultimately his salvation; Alun Armstrong's twisted, embittered Squeers is every inch the Dickensian villain; and David Threlfall is transformed as Smike, Squeers' piteously subjugated, crippled servant and gives the most moving performances of his career. This enthralling TV adaptation recreates the magic of the stage version for all those who were unable to catch it on its pitifully short run. It doesn't pull any punches as the humour and inspiring storyline are tempered with real dark and tragic episodes. Forget the Hollywood fluff, this is the version you should watch if you want a faithful retelling of Dickens's story.

Network
Scheduleevery Sunday (55 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E10Act 4, Part 3Dec 23, 1982
S01E09Act 4, Part 2Dec 22, 1982
S01E08Act 4, Part 1Dec 20, 1982
S01E07Act 3, Part 3Dec 19, 1982
S01E06Act 3, Part 2Dec 12, 1982
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' premiere?

'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' premiered on March 21, 1982.

Who adapted 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' for television?

David Edgar adapted 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' for television.

Which famous author wrote the original novel on which the show is based?

The original novel 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' was written by Charles Dickens.

Who directed the television adaptation of 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby'?

The television adaptation of 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' was directed by Jim Goddard.

How many episodes were there in the TV series?

'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' consisted of 13 episodes.

Where was 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' filmed?

'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' was filmed in various locations in the United Kingdom.

Who played the role of Nicholas Nickleby in the TV series?

Roger Rees portrayed the character of Nicholas Nickleby in the TV series.

Which actress portrayed the character of Kate Nickleby in the TV series?

Emily Richard portrayed the character of Kate Nickleby in the TV series.

Who played the role of Ralph Nickleby in the TV series?

David Threlfall portrayed the character of Ralph Nickleby in the TV series.

Which actor portrayed the character of Smike in the TV series?

David Dawson portrayed the character of Smike in the TV series.

What genre does 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' fall into?

'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' falls into the genre of period drama.

Did 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' receive any awards?

Yes, 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Drama Series in 1983.

Who composed the music for 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby'?

Stephen Oliver composed the music for 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby'.

Was 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' a popular TV series at the time?

Yes, 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' was well-received and gained a significant audience following.

Did 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' stay true to Charles Dickens' original story?

Yes, 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' stayed true to the essence of Charles Dickens' original story.

What impact did 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' have on television adaptations of classic literature?

'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' set a high standard for television adaptations of classic literature, showcasing the potential for bringing timeless stories to life on the small screen.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
General Hospital
Running

General Hospital

General Hospital, which celebrated its golden anniversary on April 1, 2013, continues its tradition of passion, intrigue and adventure that takes place in the fictional town of Port Charles in upstate New York. The glamour and excitement of those who have come to find their destinies in this familiar seaport town intertwine with the lives, loves and fortunes of beloved, well-known faces. As always, love, danger and mind blowing plot twists continue to abound on General Hospital with contemporary storylines and unforgettable characters.

20/20
Running

20/20

20/20 continues to combine hard-hitting investigative reports, newsmaker interviews and compelling human interest and feature stories.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Running

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the #1 show in late-night. Featuring bandleader Jon Batiste with his band Stay Human, the Emmy Award-nominated show broadcasts from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. He talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology, and more. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer, and writer of The Late Show on Sept. 8, 2015. 

Colbert is best known for his work as a television host, writer, actor, and producer, and lest known for his charity work teaching English as a second language on Tunisian date farms. Before joining the CBS family -- and being officially adopted by network president Les Moonves -- Colbert helmed The Colbert Report, which aired nearly 1,500 episodes and required Stephen to wear nearly 1,500 different neckties. The program received two Peabody Awards, two Grammy Awards, and several unwelcome shoulder massages. It won two Emmys for Outstanding Variety Series in 2013 and 2014, both of which appear to have been lost in the move. Colbert is pronounced koʊlˈbɛər, according to Wikipedia. His understudy is William Cavanaugh, who will be hosting The Late Show approximately one-third of the time. Good luck, Bill!

GenreComedy
The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd
Running

The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd

Did you know that a brown bear became a war hero for the Allies during WWII? Or that a flying lawnmower once killed a spectator at a football game? What about the story of the 19th century doctor who ate vomit to understand how yellow fever is transmitted?

If you haven't, then brace yourself for The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd.

Each hour-long episode will open up our cabinet of curiosities to reveal the strangest-but-true stories in human history, brought to life through dynamic recreation, compelling graphics, and arresting archival. These seemingly tall tales all actually happened, and our cast of experts dives into the historical record to tell you how and why.

It's a bizarro barrage of people, places and events that prove just how weird our world can be.

60 Minutes
Running

60 Minutes

60 Minutes has been on the air since 1968, beginning on a Tuesday, but spending most of its time on Sundays, where it remains today. This popular news magazine provides both hard hitting investigations, interviews and features, along with people in the news and current events. 60 Minutes has set unprecedented records in the Nielsen's ratings with a number 1 rating, five times, making it among the most successful TV programs in all of television history. This series has won more Emmy awards than any other news program and in 2003, Don Hewitt, the creator (back in 1968), was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Emmy, along with the 60 Minute correspondents. Added to the 11 Peabody awards, this phenomenally long-lived series has collected 78 awards up to the 2005 season and remains among the viewers top choice for news magazine features.