An  Epic Drama Brought to Television
	Introduction - Background - BBC Cast - PBS Cast - Snaps

The BBC broadcast the first of the twenty-six episodes of Anthony Trollope's 'The Pallisers' on Saturday, 19th January 1974.  The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in the United States aired a twenty-two episode version of the television series on two occasions.  'The Pallisers' has not been shown on TV in the colonies in more than twenty  years.

When the BBC produces one of their historically accurate period pieces, the British press says that 'the BBC built another battleship!'  Well, this particular 'battleship' is over twenty-two hours in length.

Historically, very little information on this epic television production had been available on the internet.

George Landows' pages on Trollope have more than filled that gap.

This Victorian era 'soap opera' is based on Trollope's six rather lengthy novels:

• Can You Forgive Her?

• Phineas Finn

• The Eustace Diamonds

• Phineas Redux

• The Prime Minister  (Overview)

• The Duke's Children

Glencora gives Plantagenet the good news!  She is expecting their first child.

'The Pallisers' starred Susan Hampshire as 'Glencora' and Philip Latham as 'Plantagenet Palliser'.  They led a cast of one hundred twenty-five!  The Producer was Martin Lisemore and the Director was Hugh David.

Thanks to the National Trust's Stourhead Estate Manager and his staff, we have been able to finally solve a twenty-year-old mystery.  The opening scenes of the first episode were indeed filmed at Stourhead in Wiltshire.

Click for The BBC Cast

The first episode begins at the Duke of Omnium's garden party where Lady Glencora's aunts - the Countess of Midlothian and the Marchioness of Auld Reekie - scheme with the old Duke to marry her off to Plantagenet Palliser.

For fans of 'The Pallisers', Sudeley Castle was filmed as 'Matching' and Eastnor Castle was 'Gatherum Castle'. 

In addition to the great career of Susan Hampshire (filmography), members of the original cast have pursued their profession with great success...  Anthony Andrews, Edward Hardwicke, Jeremy Irons, Derek Jacobi, Penelope Keith, Philip Latham, (the late) Desmond Llewelyn, Stuart Wilson, to name only a few.  The Internet Movie Database lists all of 'The Pallisers' actors alphabetically and includes a link to each actors' filmography.

The Acorn Media Pallisers DVD contains an interview with Susan Hampshire titled 'Lady Glencora Speaks'.  To read an excerpt online go to Acorn Media's website , click on 'Interviews' and then select 'Susan Hampshire'.

Devotes of this BBC television classic may find a cast list of the actors and characters that appeared in each episode to be an invaluable reference.  Curiously enough, we have prepared just such a list...  click on either the 'thumbnail' image on the right or this link:  The Pallisers BBC Cast

Copyright © 1999 - 2005  J. C. Nash. All worldwide rights reserved.
Last modified:  Thursday, 27 October 2005.

'The Pallisers' copyrighted images are  used with the kind permission of Acorn Media.