Brideshead Revisited (1981)
A sweeping British miniseries tracing one man's lifelong entanglement with a grand aristocratic family, faith, and lost innocence.
Brideshead Revisited - Series Information
- Original Title: Brideshead Revisited
- First Air Year: 1981
- Last Air Year: 1981
- Created by: Derek Granger
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 11
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Italian, Latin
- First Air Date: October 12, 1981 (United Kingdom - 15), October 12, 1981 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: ITV1
- Production Companies: Granada Television
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Brideshead Revisited - Plot
Agnostic Charles Ryder is seduced by the allure of the Flytes, a wealthy aristocratic family. Although he finds himself at odds with their strong Catholicism, his ties to the family deepen for the decades between the two world wars.
Brideshead Revisited - Trailer
See the world of Brideshead come to life in the official trailer below.
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Brideshead Revisited - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Derek Granger
Main Cast
- Jeremy Irons
- Diana Quick
- Roger Milner
- Phoebe Nicholls
- Simon Jones
- Charles Keating
- Anthony Andrews
- John Gielgud
- Claire Bloom
- Mona Washbourne
Writers
- John Mortimer
Executive Producers
- Jac Venza
- Robert B. Kotlowitz
Brideshead Revisited - FAQs
Is Brideshead Revisited based on a true story?
Brideshead Revisited is an adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's celebrated 1945 novel of the same name. While not autobiographical, Waugh drew on his own experiences at Oxford and his complex relationship with Catholicism, lending the story an unmistakable personal depth and emotional authenticity.
What is Brideshead Revisited about?
The series follows Charles Ryder, a middle-class agnostic, whose life becomes entwined with the aristocratic Flyte family over two decades between the world wars. Their devout Catholicism, crumbling grandeur, and complicated loves leave an indelible mark on him, raising profound questions about faith, class, and longing.
Where can you stream Brideshead Revisited?
You can stream Brideshead Revisited on BritBox and the BritBox Apple TV Channel or BritBox Amazon Channel. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Tubi TV, and Plex. It is also available via the Shout! Factory Amazon Channel.
Did Brideshead Revisited win any awards?
The miniseries was a major awards success. It won the BAFTA for Best Drama Series and earned Golden Globe wins for Best Miniseries and Best Actor for Jeremy Irons. Anthony Andrews and the production design also received widespread recognition, cementing its status as a television landmark.
Who plays Sebastian Flyte in Brideshead Revisited?
Anthony Andrews plays the charismatic and tragic Sebastian Flyte, the young Oxford aristocrat whose friendship with Charles Ryder sets the entire story in motion. Andrews' performance — tender, witty, and heartbreaking — is widely considered one of the finest in British television history.
Where was Brideshead Revisited filmed?
The production filmed extensively on location at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, which served as the magnificent Brideshead estate. Additional scenes were shot in Oxford, Venice, and Morocco, giving the series its sweeping visual grandeur and authentic sense of place across different eras and countries.
How was Brideshead Revisited received by critics?
The series was met with near-universal critical acclaim upon its 1981 debut, praised for its lush cinematography, Geoffrey Burgon's haunting score, and exceptional performances from Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews. It is consistently ranked among the greatest British television dramas ever produced and remains a benchmark for literary adaptations.
What are similar shows to Brideshead Revisited?
If Brideshead Revisited captivated you, consider exploring Les Misérables (2018), War and Peace (2016), Upstairs, Downstairs (1971), Howards End (2017), and Tess of the D'Urbervilles (2008). Each shares that same richly crafted blend of period drama, literary depth, and emotionally complex characters.
More About Brideshead Revisited
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