The Barchester Chronicles(1982)

Donald Pleasence is the clergyman at the centre of a scandal.

The Barchester Chronicles is a 1982 BBC serial that adapts Anthony Trollope's first two Barsetshire novels, The Warden and Barchester Towers. Dramatised by Alan Plater and produced by Jonathan Powell, the series unfolds against the grand backdrop of Peterborough Cathedral, drawing viewers into Trollope's intricate portrait of the English clerical establishment. The narrative follows the power struggles, ambitions, and personal conflicts that ripple through the cathedral community, where ecclesiastical politics and human desire collide. Meticulous period detail grounds the drama in authentic Victorian life, while the ensemble cast captures the full spectrum of emotion—from moral conviction to social climbing—that animates Trollope's characters. A richly layered adaptation that balances satirical wit with genuine human insight.