Bleak House

Young orphan Esther Summerson is brought to the High Court of Chancery, where she is thrown together with two wards of the court, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare. Together they are sent to live at Bleak House, where they receive a friendly welcome from their rich guardian John Jarndyce.

Despite his grim discovery, Tulkinghorn remains undeterred from his ruthless inquiry into Lady Dedlock's past. As he edges closer to the truth, Lady Dedlock puts her reputation at risk when she pays an undercover visit to Nemo's former haunts.

A chance encounter in the country raises intriguing questions for Esther and Lady Dedlock. Tulkinghorn finally unearths the identity of the mysterious Nemo. While Gridley turns up on George's doorstep, on the run from the law and infected with the fever.

Esther falls sick with smallpox and is left badly scarred. Legal clerk Guppy, still besotted with Esther, makes a discovery about his beloved which shocks Lady Dedlock to the core. And Jarndyce is beside himself when tragedy strikes Bleak House.

Richard's obsession with the Jarndyce case has grown to worrying proportions. John Jarndyce agonises over whether to keep his feelings for Esther concealed. Meanwhile, Lady Dedlock tells Esther something that will change her life forever. And Tulkinghorn issues a terrible ultimatum.

George's anger knows no bounds when Tulkinghorn breaks his promise and leaves him in financial ruin. A marriage proposal surprises Esther - but is it from the right man? Meanwhile, Tulkinghorn thinks Lady Dedlock is in his power, but secretly she defies him, with disastrous consequences.

An early arrest appears to wrap the Tulkinghorn case up quickly, but a spate of poison-pen letters suggests that all is not as it seems. As evidence mounts against Lady Dedlock, Bucket sets a trap for the killer, with astonishing results.

The moneylender Smallweed has evidence of Lady Dedlock's secret past and intends to use it against her. Cornered, Lady Dedlock makes a terrible decision. And then the impossible happens - a result in Chancery. But it is one that will astound everyone.