North And South (2004) - Episode 02

Episode 2 north and southepisode 2 of 4 four part adaptation of elizabeth gaskell s feisty and passionate story set across the social divide in the changing world of victorian industrial society tensions rise as the workers strike over pay in the ensuing riot margaret is caught between the workers and their employer when she steps in to try and protect thornton from violence elizabeth gaskell s classic explores the simmering restrained passion between two very different people who fall in love in spite of themselves margaret daniela denby ashe set against the backdrop of victorian england s industrial north it follows the fortunes of margaret hale one of 19th century literature s most original heroines played by daniela denby ashe margaret is a privileged middle class southerner who is forced to settle in the northern town of milton john richard armitage margaret takes instant offence to the town and its people she becomes terribly lonely and hates the dirt noise and lack of civilisation blaming their new way of life for her mother s ailing health her distaste for the town and its people extends to handsome and charismatic cotton mill owner john thornton richard armitage whom she believes epitomises everything she dislikes about the north margaret daniela denby ashe however margaret gradually begins to settle in milton her social conscience awakens and she befriends some of the local mill workers learning about their poverty and workplace struggles as events conspire to throw margaret and thornton together the two spirited characters have to overcome their repressed physical attraction for one another and conquer prejudices of class and circumstance #2004 #North #Episode #South