Dickens of London

Background

The 13-part series Dickens of London unfolds as a series of flashbacks. The story begins with Charles Dickens, already a world-famous author, on an 1869 reading tour in America, reflecting on his past. As a boy, Dickens is seen unhappily gluing labels onto shoe-blacking pots. As a young man, he is portrayed as a budding genius, aware of his abilities and searching for his path. Mary Hogarth, the middle of the three Hogarth sisters, is shown as the only person with whom Dickens could truly share his writing. She dies suddenly at seventeen, and Dickens wears her ring on his little finger for the rest of his life. Georgina Hogarth, the youngest sister, moves in with the couple to manage the household, at the request of her eldest sister, Catherine Dickens. The series omits Dickens’ relationship with the young actress Ellen Ternan and his 1858 separation from Catherine. The central focus is the influence of Dickens’ father, John Dickens, a Naval clerk who habitually spent beyond his means. He is depicted as an alcoholic, implying this caused the family’s money troubles. The script weaves passages from Dickens’ novels into the dialogue, offering clues for readers familiar with his work.