Great Expectations

Writer and director Steven Knight started a freelance writing partnership with Mike Whitehill in 1988, providing material for television and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? which Knight co-created. He has published four novels The Movie House, Alphabet City, Out of the Blue and the children’s novel, The Last Words of Will Wolfkin.Knight’s first screenplay, Dirty Pretty Things, was directed by Stephen Frears and was selected to open the prestigious London Film Festival. Dirty Pretty Things won four British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), the 2005 Humanitas Prize for Film and an Oscar® nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the 76th Annual Academy Awards®, among other honors.He has written a number of high-profile screenplays including Eastern Promises, The Hundred Foot Journey, Allied, Woman Walks Ahead and Spencer along with three he also directed – Hummingbird, Locke and Serenity.Knight is also the creator, executive producer and writer of the BAFTA-winning television series Peaky Blinders, starring Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory and Paul Anderson. He was also the creator, executive producer and writer on the FX and BBC series Taboo, which starred Tom Hardy.He adapted the book SAS Rogue Heroes which aired on the BBC and has two other projects currently in production – All the Light We Cannot See based on the book of the same name and drama series This Town. Knight was also part of the creative team behind the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.Knight received a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2020 for services to Drama, Entertainment and the community of Birmingham.&nbsp; He also has the highest honor from the Royal Television Society’s Midlands Centre – the Baird Medal – in recognition of his career along with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Worcester and an Honorary Degree of Doctor from the Birmingham City University and a UCL Honorary Fellowship.

Get the latest news and exclusives from FX including show premieres and more.

He has written a number of high-profile screenplays, along with three he also directed

Steven Knight headshot in light blue button down with glasses hanging on shirt's button, with plain light brown background

Steven Knight | Great Expectations on FX

Steven Knight | Executive Producer | Great Expectations on FX

About

Cast and Crew

Video Extras

Galleries

"Pip," portrayed by Fionn Whitehead, is an orphan raised by his brutal, cold sister. Smart, innocent and impressionable, he is destined to take over the family blacksmith business until fate delivers him an opportunity to become a gentleman under the tutelage of the wealthy, enigmatic Miss Havisham. A passionate romantic, easily seduced by the beauty of the upper class, as his fortunes change, Pip struggles to fit into his new world or remember the world he came from.

Fionn Whitehead headshot in black suede coat with black suit and brown neck tie scarf, with dark blue woods behind him

"Miss Havisham," portrayed by Olivia Colman, is a wealthy, eccentric, manic woman bent on revenge. Her family fortune was made in the opium trade, and after being brutally jilted at the altar, she adopted young Estella and raised her as a tool to inflict pain on the opposite sex. The newest pawn in her game of manipulation arrives in the form of an eager orphan named Pip.

Olivia Colman headshot with string of small pearl necklaces connected by diamond pendant, with hair messily up in bun

"Estella," portrayed by Shalom Brune-Franklin, is the beautiful, cold and often cruel, adopted daughter of Miss Havisham. Taught that emotion makes you vulnerable, trained to inflict retribution on the opposite gender for the torment inflicted upon her guardian, Estella believes love is an impossible future. She is resigned to the fact that happiness belongs only to others.

Shalom Brune Franklin headshot in embroidered black dress with black satin neck tie and black top hat with dark flowers

"Jaggers," portrayed by Ashley Thomas, is a powerful lawyer and shrewd businessman who guides Pip through the twisted upper-class world of London society. A corrupt enforcer of the law, he consorts with criminals while despising them and controls his image as tightly as he controls every room he enters.

Ashley Thomas headshot in black coat with white silk neck tie scarf with black top hat, looking up toward warm light

"Magwitch," portrayed by Johnny Harris, is an escaped convict who Pip first encounters in the cemetery where his family are buried. A rough, dangerous, brute of a man with a deep vendetta against Compeyson, his mortal enemy, Magwitch carries the burden of a social injustice that can never be undone. When Pip shows him compassion, the simple act lights a spark that will change both of their futures forever.&nbsp;

Johnny Harris headshot in brown suede vest with light brown neck tie scarf, looking up in dark room toward bright light

"Sara Gargery," portrayed by Hayley Squires, is Pip’s stern and overbearing elder sister, well known for bringing up her younger brother by hand. Forced to raise Pip and to marry a ‘lowly blacksmith’ following the untimely death of her parents, Sara’s short temper stems from an obvious distain for her own lot in life. Unable to change her fortune, Sara seeks out other means of making herself feel powerful and in control.

Haley Squires headshot in blue suede high neck cardigan with hair up, with dark black and blue gradient background

Owen McDonnell portrays "Joe Gargery," the village blacksmith, is Pip’s sweet-tempered brother-in-law and the most constant and loving presence in Pip’s life. Although Joe is often looked down upon as an ignorant and common man, including by Pip, he is content with his lot in life and has a capacity for compassion and forgiveness that far outshines any gentleman in high society.

Owen McDonnel headshot in brown jacket with half face illuminated by green light and other brightly illuminated by warm light

"Biddy," portrayed by Laurie Ogden, is a kind, wise, intelligent and caring young woman who Pip turns to in his first attempts to educate and improve himself. Of similar age and background to Pip, Biddy comes from humble beginnings; but unlike Pip, she is content with her born station in life, and disapproves as Pip allows his association with Miss Havisham and his great expectations to change him.

Laurie Ogden headshot in floral design top with blue and green flowers with sun brightly shining on hair up in bun

Matt Berry portrays "Mr. Pumblechook," Joe’s arrogant uncle, is a merchant obsessed with money and class, and who loves nothing more than the sound of his own voice. A man so desperate to be important that he embellishes or completely fabricates connections with the upper class, Mr. Pumblechook tells any acquaintance who will listen that he is a man of high standing.

Matt Berry headshot of side profile in winter coat with ornate bowtie neck scarf with olive green top hat

"Compeyson," portrayed by Trystan Gravelle, is a clever, conniving swindler and former partner of Magwitch.

Trystan Gravelle headshot in brown coat with golden embellished vest, looking up toward bright light in dark room with window

"Wemmick," portrayed by Rudi Dharmalingam, is Jaggers’ assistant and an unexpected companion of Pip’s upon his move to London. A no nonsense man who has learned what it takes to survive in this cruel world, Wemmick takes Pip under his wing, and shows him kindness and guidance, but only when no one is looking.

Rudi Dharmalingam headshot in dark brown coat with bowtie neck scarf, wearing metal spectacles and looking at bright light

Tom Hardy black and white headshot in black suit and tie, looking down with soft light shining down on top part of face

Ridley Scott headshot in plain black t shirt with bright light illuminating face against plain dark grey background

Dean Baker headshot in plain black t shirt with bright window and white wall in background

David W. Zucker headshot in dark brown glasses with white button down and black plaid blazer, against plain white background

Kate Crowe headshot in natural lighting with framed black and white picture in background hanging on white wall