Programme Index

Duration: 1 hour

First broadcast: Tue 28^th Jul 2009, 21:00 on BBC HDLatest broadcast: Mon 14^th Feb 2022, 23:00 on BBC Four

Millais sets to work on a masterpiece for art critic John Ruskin, but Rossetti is furious when Millais chooses his muse Lizzie to sit for him. Hunt finds himself in turmoil. Show more

Contributors

William 'Maniac' Hunt:: Rafe Spall
Dante Gabriel Rossetti:: Aidan Turner
John Millais:: Samuel Barnett
Fred Walters:: Sam Crane
John Ruskin:: Tom Hollander
Effie Ruskin:: Zoe Tapper
Lizzie Siddal:: Amy Manson
Annie Miller:: Jennie Jacques
Mr Stone:: Phil Davis
Mr Siddal:: Ian Puleston-Davies
Mrs Siddal:: Polly Kemp
Charlotte Siddal:: Josie Farmiloe
Charles Dickens:: Mark Heap
Mrs Ruskin:: Georgie Glen
Margaret:: Maimie McCoy
Mr Sparks:: Julian Stolzenberg
Executive Producer:: Hilary Salmon
Executive Producer:: Franny Moyle
Producer:: Ben Evans
Director:: Paul Gay
Writer:: Peter Bowker

Genres

Series

Desperate Romantics

Episode 3

Duration: 1 hour

First broadcast: Tue 4^th Aug 2009, 21:00 on BBC HDLatest broadcast: Mon 21^st Feb 2022, 22:00 on BBC Four

John Millais is delighted to have John Ruskin as his new patron. Ruskin insists on Millais painting his wife Effie, but Millais is horrified that he is expected to sleep with her. Show more

Contributors

William 'Maniac' Hunt:: Rafe Spall
Dante Gabriel Rossetti:: Aidan Turner
John Millais:: Samuel Barnett
Fred Walters:: Sam Crane
John Ruskin:: Tom Hollander
Effie Ruskin:: Zoe Tapper
Lizzie Siddal:: Amy Manson
Annie Miller:: Jennie Jacques
Mr Stone:: Phil Davis
Charlotte Siddal:: Josie Farmiloe
Charles Dickens:: Mark Heap
Mrs Ruskin:: Georgie Glen
Executive Producer:: Hilary Salmon
Executive Producer:: Franny Moyle
Producer:: Ben Evans
Director:: Paul Gay
Writer:: Peter Bowker

Genres

Series

Desperate Romantics

Episode 1

Duration: 1 hour

First broadcast: Tue 21^st Jul 2009, 21:00 on BBC HDLatest broadcast: Mon 14^th Feb 2022, 22:00 on BBC Four

Drama series set in 19th-century industrial London, following vagabond English artists the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The boys set out to find a muse to inspire their best work. Show more

Contributors

William 'Maniac' Holman Hunt:: Rafe Spall
Dante Gabriel Rossetti:: Aidan Turner
John Ruskin:: Tom Hollander
John Millais:: Samuel Barnett
Fred Walters:: Sam Crane
Effie Ruskin:: Zoe Tapper
Lizzie Siddal:: Amy Manson
Annie Miller:: Jennie Jacques
Mr Stone:: Phil Davis
Mr Siddal:: Ian Puleston-Davies
Mrs Siddal:: Polly Kemp
Charlotte Siddal:: Josie Farmiloe
Mr Chadwick:: Mark Benton
Charles Dickens:: Mark Heap
Margaret:: Maimie McCoy
Madame:: Kath Burlinson
Executive Producer:: Hilary Salmon
Executive Producer:: Franny Moyle
Producer:: Ben Evans
Director:: Paul Gay
Writer:: Peter Bowker

Genres

Series

Desperate Romantics

Episode 6

Duration: 59 minutes

First broadcast: Tue 25^th Aug 2009, 21:00 on BBC HDLatest broadcast: Mon 28^th Feb 2022, 23:00 on BBC Four

Drama series about 19th-century artists. Rossetti and Lizzie return from their honeymoon, and Fred takes a chance when Annie Miller refuses Hunt's latest offer of marriage. Show more

Contributors

William 'Maniac' Hunt:: Rafe Spall
Dante Gabriel Rossetti:: Aidan Turner
John Millais:: Samuel Barnett
Fred Walters:: Sam Crane
John Ruskin:: Tom Hollander
Effie Ruskin:: Zoe Tapper
Lizzie Siddal:: Amy Manson
Annie Miller:: Jennie Jacques
Mr Siddal:: Ian Puleston-Davies
Mrs Siddal:: Polly Kemp
Charlotte Siddal:: Josie Farmiloe
William Morris:: Dyfrig Morris
Edward Burne-Jones:: Peter Sandys-Clarke
Fanny Cornforth:: Rebecca Davies
Jane Burden:: Natalie Thomas
Rose La Touche:: Poppy Lee Friar
Executive Producer:: Hilary Salmon
Executive Producer:: Franny Moyle
Producer:: Ben Evans
Director:: Diarmuid Lawrence
Writer:: Peter Bowker

Genres

Series

Desperate Romantics

Episode 4

Duration: 59 minutes

First broadcast: Tue 11^th Aug 2009, 21:00 on BBC HDLatest broadcast: Mon 21^st Feb 2022, 23:00 on BBC Four

While Hunt is away, Fred sets out to fulfil his promise to look after Annie but, before he knows what is happening, she seduces him. Upon his return, Hunt asks Annie to marry him. Show more

Contributors

William 'Maniac' Hunt:: Rafe Spall
Dante Gabriel Rossetti:: Aidan Turner
John Millais:: Samuel Barnett
Fred Walters:: Sam Crane
John Ruskin:: Tom Hollander
Lord Rosterley:: Samuel West
Lizzie Siddal:: Amy Manson
Annie Miller:: Jennie Jacques
Mr Stone:: Phil Davis
Mr Stone:: Phil Davis
Mr Siddal:: Ian Puleston-Davies
Mrs Siddal:: Polly Kemp
Charlotte Siddal:: Josie Farmiloe
Mrs Gerard:: Richenda Carey
Executive Producer:: Hilary Salmon
Executive Producer:: Hilary Salmon
Executive Producer:: Franny Moyle
Executive Producer:: Franny Moyle
Producer:: Ben Evans
Producer:: Ben Evans
Director:: Diarmuid Lawrence
Director:: Diarmuid Lawrence
Writer:: Peter Bowker
Writer:: Peter Bowker
Mr Chadwick:: Mark Benton
Charles Dickens:: Mark Heap
Effie Ruskin:: Zoe Tapper
Director:: Paul Gay
Margaret:: Maimie McCoy
Madame:: Kath Burlinson

Genres

Series

Desperate Romantics

Episode 5

Duration: 59 minutes

First broadcast: Tue 18^th Aug 2009, 21:00 on BBC HDLatest broadcast: Mon 28^th Feb 2022, 22:00 on BBC Four

Drama about 19th-century artists. Ruskin threatens to end his support unless Rossetti and Lizzie focus on art. Lizzie responds swiftly, but Rossetti struggles and starts an affair. Show more

Contributors

William 'Maniac' Hunt:: Rafe Spall
Dante Gabriel Rossetti:: Aidan Turner
John Millais:: Samuel Barnett
Fred Walters:: Sam Crane
John Ruskin:: Tom Hollander
Effie Ruskin:: Zoe Tapper
Lizzie Siddal:: Amy Manson
Annie Miller:: Jennie Jacques
Mr Siddal:: Ian Puleston-Davies
Mrs Siddal:: Polly Kemp
Charlotte Siddal:: Josie Farmiloe
Charles Dickens:: Mark Heap
William Morris:: Dyfrig Morris
Edward Burne-Jones:: Peter Sandys-Clarke
Jane Burden:: Natalie Thomas
Fanny Cornforth:: Rebecca Davies
Mrs Ruskin:: Georgie Glen
Rose La Touche:: Poppy Lee Friar
Minister:: Tim FitzHigham
Executive Producer:: Hilary Salmon
Executive Producer:: Franny Moyle
Producer:: Ben Evans
Director:: Diarmuid Lawrence
Writer:: Peter Bowker

Genres

Series