Two lovers follow their hearts in Tom Jones

Solly McLeod, Sophie Wilde and Hannah Waddingham star in this MASTERPIECE adaptation of Henry Fielding’s classic novel

• Christina Zeiders
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Christina Zeiders is the Communications Specialist at WITF. She helps get the word out about all of WITF's programs, events and community conversations.

A classic romantic comedy gets an exciting adaptation in MASTERPIECE’s retelling of Henry Fielding’s novel, Tom Jones, written by BAFTA-nominated Gwyneth Hughes (Vanity Fair). The mini-series airs in four parts on Sundays, April 30 – May 21, at 9pm on WITF TV and the free PBS or WITF app.

WITF Passport Members can binge the entire series the same night as its premiere, on Sunday, April 30.

Watch the four-part mini-series Tom Jones on WITF TV Sundays at 9pm starting April 30, or stream it using the free PBS or WITF app.[\box]

Solly McLeod (House of the Dragon) stars as the handsome, resourceful title character, with Sophie Wilde (You Don’t Know Me) as the beautiful, bright, and seemingly unattainable love of his life, Sophia Western.

Tom is a foundling of uncertain parentage, while Sophia is an heiress. In 18th-century England, their class differences make their love complicated and treacherous. Emmy®-winning actress Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) plays the seductive and vengeful Lady Bellaston, who comes between Tom and Sophia.

“It’s been the most joyful experience to bring this sparkling romance to the screen,” says writer Hughes. “It’s a story in which the sun never stops shining, and in which Love Conquers All, and that just makes such a refreshing change after the last couple of years! Henry Fielding created brilliant characters, fully of their time, but still speaking directly to us in the modern world, as we strive towards our own versions of love and happiness. I’ve loved writing alongside him.”

“This new adaptation of Tom Jones is a big-hearted rom-com that will absolutely delight our viewers,” shares executive producer Susanne Simpson. “It’s fun – full of laughter and romance. I’m extremely proud to partner with producers Mammoth Screen, writer Gwyneth Hughes, and an outstanding cast on this joyful show.”

Watch the four-part mini-series Tom Jones on WITF TV Sundays at 9pm starting April 30, or stream it using the free PBS or WITF app.[\box]

The cast also includes James Fleet (Bridgerton) as Squire Allworthy, Tom’s warm-hearted adoptive father, and Alun Armstrong (Little Dorrit) as Allworthy’s hard-drinking but loveable neighbor and Sophia’s doting grandfather, Squire Western.

Felicity Montagu (The Durrells in Corfu) plays Allworthy’s reserved sister, Bridget, with James Wilbraham (In My Skin) as her odious son William Blifil. He and Tom eventually battle for Sophia’s hand, a contest that Blifil seems destined to win.

Sophia has a trio of watchful aunts – Aunt Western, Aunt Harriet, and Lady Bellason – played by Shirley Henderson (See How They Run), Tamzin Merchant (Carnival Row) and Waddingham, and a wise servant named Honour, played by Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who).

Tom leaves for London when banished in disgrace by his adoptive father. Shortly after, Sophia flees to London to escape a forced marriage to Blifil and seek the protection of her aunts. Along the way, Tom meets disgraced schoolmaster Partridge (Daniel Rigby, The Witchfinder), Mrs. Waters (Susannah Fielding, Wallander), and the irascible soldier-of-fortune Fitzpatrick (Julian Rhind-Tutt, Oliver Twist).

Watch the four-part mini-series Tom Jones on WITF TV Sundays at 9pm starting April 30, or stream it using the free PBS or WITF app.

---

After you watch, listen to our fan-first podcast, Postscript! Every Sunday, hosts Fred and Matt talk about their favorite moments from the show and invite you to share the scenes that made you laugh or wonder, too.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, at witf.org/postscript, or watch on Mosaic!