Oliver Twist (2007 TV series)

The 2007 Oliver Twist is a five-part British television drama miniseries based on the 1838 novel of the same name by Charles Dickens. It was produced by the BBC and aired from 18 to 22 December 2007 on BBC One. The series was adapted by Sarah Phelps and directed by Coky Giedroyc.

The series stars William Miller as Oliver Twist, Timothy Spall as Fagin, Tom Hardy as Bill Sikes, Sophie Okonedo as Nancy, and Sarah Lancashire as Mrs. Corney. Other notable cast members include Adam Arnold as the Artful Dodger, Edward Fox as Mr. Brownlow, and Gregor Fisher as Mr. Bumble.

The adaptation aims to provide a more nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of some characters, notably Nancy, and to explore the social commentary of Dickens' novel concerning poverty and crime in Victorian London. It generally received positive reviews for its performances, production values, and faithfulness to the source material while also presenting a darker and grittier depiction of the story. The series also delves deeper into the motivations and backstories of key characters than some previous adaptations had done.