The Way We Live Now (2001 TV serial)

The Way We Live Now is a four-part British television adaptation of Anthony Trollope's novel of the same name. It was broadcast on BBC One in 2001 and starred David Suchet as Augustus Melmotte, the unscrupulous financier at the center of the story.

The serial, adapted by Andrew Davies, closely follows the plot of the novel, depicting the corrupt and materialistic society of Victorian England during the railway boom. Melmotte's arrival in London brings both opportunity and danger, as he attracts investors with promises of vast riches from a proposed American railway scheme.

The narrative explores various interconnected storylines, including Melmotte's attempts to marry off his daughter, Marie (Shirley Henderson), for social advancement; the romantic entanglements of other characters such as Paul Montague (Cillian Murphy), Henrietta Carbury (Miranda Otto), and Lady Carbury (Cheryl Campbell); and the consequences of greed and speculation.

The series highlights Trollope's critique of Victorian society, focusing on themes of financial corruption, social climbing, and the moral compromises people make in pursuit of wealth and status. Its production values, strong performances, and faithful adaptation of the novel's plot contributed to its positive reception. The serial's popularity has helped to maintain interest in Trollope's work and its relevance to contemporary issues.