The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister (2010)

Cautiously Recommended

UK

Television Film

Director: James Kent

Writer: Jane English

Cinematographer: Lukas Strebel

Composer: Avshalom Caspi

Cast: Maxine Peake, Anna Madeley, Susan Lynch, Christine Bottomley, Gemma Jones, Alan David, Richenda Carey, Michael Culkin, Dean Lennox Kelly, Tina O'Brien

Maxine Peake is excellent in the eponymous role of the early 19th century wealthy Yorkshire land owner, industrialist, and diarist in this handsome BBC production, which spends – slightly detrimentally – most of its time detailing a doomed affair with the married Mariana Lawton, whilst giving scant attention to her happy long-term relationship with Miss Ann Walker or her other varied personal and professional achievements. Iain.Stott