Bringing together a wealth of fresh, largely female talent, this three-part adaptation of Jeanette Winterson's novel took great risks when it was first screened four years ago.

Beeban Kidron had never directed a television drama, Phillippa Giles had never produced, and 7-year-old actress Emily Aston had never acted beyond the school stage. But the series went on to win two Bafta awards: for best serial, with a best actress award for Geraldine McEwan as the religiously fanatic mother.
Mother adopted Jess with the sole intention of devoting her to the Lord, and in tonight's opening episode the dominated Jess is removed from her peculiar Pentecostal home and sent off to school.