A Tale of Two Cities is a British television series which first aired on BBC1 in 1980. It is an adaptation of the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Paul Shelley plays the dual roles of Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay, the first actor to do so since William Farnum in the 1917 silent adaptation. Two weeks later, an American production was released featuring Chris Sarandon in the same dual roles.
It is the only BBC adaptation known to exist entirely.
Cast
Paul Shelley as Sydney Carton/Charles Darnay
Ralph Michael as Doctor Manette
Sally Osborne as Lucie Manette
Vivien Merchant as Miss Pross
Nigel Stock as Jarvis Lorry
Judy Parfitt as Madame Defarge
Stephen Yardley as Defarge
Eric Mason as Jacques Three
David Collings as John Barsad
Peter Cleall as Jerry Cruncher
Michael Halsey as Jacques One
Brian Grellis as Jacques Two
David Webb as Gabelle
Harold Innocent as Stryver
John Abineri as Roadmender
Morris Perry as Marquis St. Evremonde
Michael Gothard as Gaspard
Frank Tregear as Roger Cly
John Rolfe as Bank Clerk
Harry Fielder as Gaoler
David Rose as Guard Room Officer
Dennis Savage as Young Cruncher
Peter Farmer as Barrier Official2
John Ringham as Attorney-General