best episodes of Cranford poster

A rich and comic drama about the people of Cranford, a small Cheshire town on the cusp of change in the 1840s. Adapted from the novels by Elizabeth Gaskell.

2 Seasons
7 Episodes
Ended
Drama
Cast & Characters
episode image May 1843, Miss Matty's Crisis
8.7/10 (236 votes)

#1 May 1843, Miss Matty's Crisis

S1:E5

Jem and Martha formalise their relationship, and live as lodgers with Miss Matty, who has fallen on hard times. Will her friends come to her aid and will she accept help? Dr Harrison is advised to leave town due to his reputation being in tatters, but Sophy is ill and his modern medicine could help. Lady Ludlow is prepared to lose everything for her absent son, but Mr Carter tries to find another solution.

episode image August 1842, Miss Matty is Shaken
8.5/10 (258 votes)

#2 August 1842, Miss Matty is Shaken

S1:E2

An unexpected visitor shakes miss Matty, but she keeps it to herself. The rumor that the railway will reach the town ruins the happy atmosphere. When Miss Deborah goes to talk to Captain Brown of this, he is of no help, indeed their friendship is severely strained.

episode image April 1843, Dr Harrison Visits the Rectory
8.5/10 (226 votes)

#3 April 1843, Dr Harrison Visits the Rectory

S1:E4

Miss Matty suffers a disappointment, and reveals to Mary the great wrong done her as a young woman. Mary writes to Major Gordon about Jessie's changed circumstances. And Dr Harrison pays a formal visit to the rectory.

episode image October 1844
8.5/10 (327 votes)

#4 October 1844

S2:E2

Defying his father, William finds a job with Captain Brown working on the railway.

episode image June 1842
8.4/10 (304 votes)

#5 June 1842

S1:E1

The town of Cranford is in a flurry at the arrival of a new handsome doctor. His controversial treatment of an unfortunate carpenter is risky not only for the patient, but also his reputation. Elsewhere a family suffers a loss but forges a friendship.

episode image November 1842, Winter Approaches Cranford
8.4/10 (237 votes)

#6 November 1842, Winter Approaches Cranford

S1:E3

The theft of a leg of mutton starts a chain of events that can only lead to trouble for one family in Cranford. With Christmas comes an invitation for Miss Matty, that she is encouraged to accept. Dr Harrison's friend Jack persuades him to declare his affections for Sophy, but then plays a cruel trick.

episode image August 1844
8.2/10 (437 votes)

#7 August 1844

S2:E1

Miss Matty becomes concerned about an isolated youngster as Mr Buxton returns to town.

Cast & Chracters

character image Miss Deborah Jenkyns

Miss Deborah Jenkyns

Actor: Eileen Atkins
character image Miss Matilda Jenkyns

Miss Matilda Jenkyns

Actor: Judi Dench
character image Mary Smith

Mary Smith

Actor: Lisa Dillon
character image Dr Harrison

Dr Harrison

Actor: Simon Woods
character image Martha

Martha

Actor: Claudie Blakley
character image Mr Carter

Mr Carter

Actor: Philip Glenister
character image Mrs Forrester

Mrs Forrester

Actor: Julia McKenzie
character image Mrs. Rose

Mrs. Rose

Actor: Lesley Manville
character image Miss Pole

Miss Pole

Actor: Imelda Staunton
character image Reverend Hutton

Reverend Hutton

Actor: Alex Jennings
character image Jem Hearne

Jem Hearne

Actor: Andrew Buchan
character image Harry Gregson

Harry Gregson

Actor: Alex Etel
character image Job Gregson

Job Gregson

Actor: Dean Lennox Kelly
character image Doctor Jack Marshland

Doctor Jack Marshland

Actor: Joseph McFadden
character image Sophy Hutton

Sophy Hutton

Actor: Kimberley Nixon
character image Sir Charles Maulver

Sir Charles Maulver

Actor: Greg Wise
character image Jessie Brown

Jessie Brown

Actor: Julia Sawalha
character image Clara Smith

Clara Smith

Actor: Finty Williams
character image Mr. Johnson

Mr. Johnson

Actor: Adrian Scarborough
character image Dr. Morgan

Dr. Morgan

Actor: John Bowe

Caroline Tomkinson

Actor: Selina Griffiths
character image Lady Ludlow

Lady Ludlow

Actor: Francesca Annis
character image Mrs Jamieson

Mrs Jamieson

Actor: Barbara Flynn
character image Mrs Galindo

Mrs Galindo

Actor: Emma Fielding
character image Erminia Whyte

Erminia Whyte

Actor: Michelle Dockery
character image Mrs Bell

Mrs Bell

Actor: Lesley Sharp
character image Peggy Bell

Peggy Bell

Actor: Jodie Whittaker
character image Miss Tomkinson

Miss Tomkinson

Actor: Deborah Findlay
character image Captain Brown

Captain Brown

Actor: Jim Carter

The highest rated episode of Cranford is "May 1843, Miss Matty's Crisis" (S1E5) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 236 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "August 1844" (S2E1) with a rating of 8.20.

This episode received 437 votes.

The highest rated episode is "May 1843, Miss Matty's Crisis" (S1E5) with a rating of 8.70.

This episode received 236 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "June 1842" (S1E1) with a rating of 8.40.

This episode received 304 votes.

The highest rated episode is "October 1844" (S2E2) with a rating of 8.50.

This episode received 327 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "August 1844" (S2E1) with a rating of 8.20.

This episode received 437 votes.

Name Department Job
Donal Woods Art Production Design
Mark Kebby Art Art Direction
Trisha Edwards Art Set Decoration
Ben Smithard Camera Director of Photography
Jenny Beavan Costume & Make-Up Costume Design
Karen Hartley-Thomas Costume & Make-Up Makeup Designer
Karen Teitge Costume & Make-Up Makeup & Hair
Natalie Reid Costume & Make-Up Makeup Designer
Talli Pachter Costume & Make-Up Makeup & Hair
Steve Hudson Directing Director
Frances Parker Editing Editor
Kate Harwood Production Executive Producer
Maggie Lunn Production Casting
Rebecca Eaton Production Executive Producer
Rupert Ryle-Hodges Production Co-Producer
Sue Birtwistle Production Producer
Carl Davis Sound Original Music Composer
Catherine Hodgson Sound Sound Effects Editor
Catherine Thomas Sound Foley Recordist
Iain Eyre Sound Dialogue Editor
Elizabeth Gaskell Writing Writer
Heidi Thomas Writing Writer

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