Vanity Fair
Programme Synopsis
Becky (Natasha Little), the penniless, orphaned daughter of an artist and a French opera dancer, and Amelia Sedley (Frances Grey), the sheltered child of a rich City Merchant are unlikely, but firm friends.
From the drawing rooms of Regency London to the fields of Waterloo, Vanity Fair tells their story.
Becky, an irrepressible schemer – one of the most seductive social climbers of all time – who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. While her friend, the meek and mild Amelia, pursues the opposite course. In the end both girls get what they want but not quite in the way they planned.
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Unforgettable
Episode Guide
| Episode Number | Episode Name | Episode Number | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode One | 4 | Episode Four |
| 2 | Episode Two | 5 | Episode Five |
| 3 | Episode Three | 6 | Episode Six |
Episode One
Rebecca Sharp, (19), the penniless orphaned daughter of an artist and a French opera dancer, and Amelia Sedley (17), the sheltered child of a rich City merchant are on their last day at Miss Pinkerton’s Academy for Young Ladies. The two are from different worlds but are firm friends. Becky has a ten day break before taking up a position as a governess. Amelia invites her to stay. Becky – wry, witty, sexy and charismatic – makes an immediate play for Jos, Amelia’s walrus of a brother. Unfortunately George Osborne, a dashing army officer and Amelia’a fiance, sabotages Becky's plans.
Episode Two
With machiavellian charm, Becky quickly conquers the Crawley family. She is also an immediate success when Miss Crawley, Sir Pitt’s rich and capricious sister, pays her annual visit. When Miss Crawley, a skilled hypochondriac falls ill, she takes Becky back to London. When his wife dies, Sir Pitt unexpectedly proposes to Becky but she has to confess that she is already secretly married – to Rawden.
Episode Three
Becky, Rawdon and Jos all attend George and Amelia’s wedding. While the bridal party leaves for a honeymoon in Brighton, Dobbin fails to persuade George’s father to forgive his son. Even the threat of war can’t assuage Mr Osborne’s anger and he promptly disinherits George. Becky carries on the intrigue with George Osborne. He secretly asks her to elope with him but immediately afterwards the order comes to march. A remorseful George apologises to Amelia.. The men go to war.
Episode Four
Brussels is chaos as rumours of defeat ricochet around town. Jos flees. Amelia, distraught, waits for news of George. Becky, with opportunistic finesse, makes some much needed money. Amelia and Becky argue over George who is tragically killed at Waterloo.
Episode Five
Becky, with Steyne’s help, starts her assault on London society. Though Amelia’s devotion to her son is starkly contrasted with Becky’s neglect of hers, it is Amelia who is finally forced by poverty to ‘sell’ Georgy to his grand-father. While Amelia mourns the loss of her son, Becky is finally presented to the King at court.
Episode Six
Becky’s life in London is in ruins. Rawden challenges Steyne but the duel is diplomatically prevented. Rawden leaves the country to become Governor of Coventry Island, ironically an advancement Becky appears to have secured through Steyne. There are also rumours that Becky has fled abroad.
