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Period drama charting the story of Sarah Burton, a teacher who returns to Yorkshire to take up her first headmistress-ship after 20 years teaching in London and the Empire.

South Riding charts the story of Sarah Burton's homecoming to Yorkshire in 1934 after 20 years teaching in London and the Empire. After a fiery interview with a conservative interview panel, outspoken Sarah takes up her first headmistress-ship at Kiplington High School for Girls, determined to demonstrate to her new pupils that the future is theirs for the taking.

Change is on her agenda straight away - of the curriculum, of teaching methods, of the rundown buildings. Her hurry to transform the South Riding brings her into immediate conflict with landowner Robert Carne, a man tragically trapped in his past, and wins her the friendship of Joe Astell, a reforming socialist councillor bent on improving the lives of the Yorkshire poor by means of a spanking new housing estate to replace the rural slum known as The Shacks. As term begins, Shacks girl Lydia Holly arrives at the High School, with talent to burn and domestic circumstances that make it almost impossible for her to realise her dreams. Meanwhile, Sarah is brought closer to Carne through his highly-strung and delicate daughter, Midge.

1 hour

Last on

Wed 11 Jan 2012 22:00

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Credits

Role Contributor
Producer Lisa Osborne
Director Diarmuid Lawrence
Writer Andrew Davies
Author Winifred Holtby
Robert Carne David Morrissey
Sarah Burton Anna Maxwell Martin
Mrs Beddows Penelope Wilton
Anthony Snaith Peter Firth
Joe Astell Douglas Henshall
Alfred Huggins John Henshaw
Midge Carne Katherine McGolpin
Muriel Carne Lydia Wilson
Young Robert Carne Daniel West
Mrs Huggins Penny Layden
Mrs Oldroyd Wendy Patterson
Bessy Warbuckle Janine Mellor
Lydia Holly Charlie May-Clark
Mrs Holly Jennifer Hennessy
Mr Holly Shaun Dooley
Gaius Drew Ian Bartholomew
Maud Martha Godber
Nancy Charlotte Thornton
Lord Port William Rodell
Hicks Renny Krupinski
Miss Sigglesthwaite Brid Brennan
Vera Rosie Muncer
Reg Aythorne John Paul Hurley

Broadcasts