British Network Television & Radio

Revisiting: “The Barchester Chronicles”

Were you watching BBC 2’s “The Barchester Chronicles” in 1982?

The BBC, world-renowned for creating some of the most beloved period dramas, has decades long reputation for quality entertainment. Adapted to television by Alan Plater, a well-respected screenplay and teleplay writer known throughout the industry, brought to television screens The Barchester Chronicles.

The Barchester Chronicles, an adaptation of two books penned by Anthony Trollope, revolves around events depicted in The Warden (1855) and Barchester Towers (1857).

The series, with David Giles occupying the directorial chair, was curiously filmed on videotape. The locations used for the production can be found in and around Peterborough Cathedral.

People familiar with the area will instantly recognise the Deanery and Laurel Court. Further, noting significant scenes produced, Peterborough Cathedral’s Abbots Gate and Tetbury’s Chavenage House can also be seen throughout the series.

Costume period dramas, regardless of when the production is set, must be believable. It doesn’t matter whether they are set in either the past or the future, when it comes to the audience, producers must recognise…