British dames portray Victorian spinsters in 'Cranford'

LONDON -- "Cranford" doesn't follow the trend to sex-up TV adaptations of British classics, and the screenwriter is proud of it.

"There is no sex," laughs Heidi Thomas, who adapted Elizabeth Gaskell's witty and astute observations of mid-19th century village life in Northern England, where a group of spinsters dominate social mores. "You are dealing with a lot of very excitable virgins, and that to me is so much more delicious than sexing it up."

The cast concurs.

"If it's not there, you don't think about it," said Imelda Staunton, who plays Miss Pole, the most nosey and gossipy of the group.

"I think it can be sexy if it's suggestion -- touching hands can be erotic," observes Judi Dench, a teasing sparkle in her eyes. She plays Miss Matty Jenkyns, who's at the heart of the story, her chance at marriage denied by prudence, duty and fate.

Both diminutive but commanding, Dench and Staunton were seated side by side at a press appearance. With a few sidelong glances and an occasional chuckle -- but mainly with unfussy common sense -- they mused on an era where the cut of a bonnet denoted status, and feelings were buried deep beneath propriety and etiquette.

The three-part miniseries, starting at 8 p.m. May 4 on PBS, first aired on the BBC last year. The British media had expected the adaptation to be just another in a long line of period dramas. But the production went on to garner critical acclaim and strong ratings, prompting plans for a two-part sequel next year.

Dench feels the British audiences responded "to the sense of community" depicted in the sweetly sad and quaintly funny story of everyday life and eternal values. "Despite everyone knowing everyone's business, in a nosey way, nevertheless it's about being there for each other," she said.

At one point, the project was deemed too expensive to film -- and ultimately, fewer episodes were made than originally planned.

Dench's involvement was always paramount. Luckily, when filming finally began last year, she was still available, despite her high-profile, international career, which includes her recurring role as M in the James Bond movies.

"I had read 'Cranford' at school, but I hadn't remembered much about it," said the 73-year-old Academy Award-winning actress. She reread the book and immediately recognized the quality of Thomas' adaptation. "You know straight away -- when you read something and you can hear how you are going to say the words. The whole situation and the characters just jumped off the page. The adaptation was very, very true."

She said she particularly likes that, although Miss Matty's joys and sorrows lie at the core of the adaptation, it's an ensemble piece. "Everyone gets a turn, and a very good turn, a very good go," she said.

The cast also features Eileen Atkins, who plays Miss Deborah Jenkins, Miss Matty's firm but fair-minded sister; Michael Gambon as Thomas Holbrook, Miss Matty's one-time suitor; and Philip Glenister as Mr. Carter, a modern-minded land agent

Additionally, Francesca Annis portrays Lady Ludlow, the local landowner trying to cling to a heritage threatened by the rise of the Industrial Revolution and the coming of the railway. And Simon Woods proves that while the series may not depict anything blatantly sexy, it certainly offers up a handsome romantic hero. His character is Dr. Frank Harrison, whose arrival causes hearts to flutter.