The History of Tom Jones: Henry Fielding’s Romantic novel

The new miniseries ‘Tom Jones’ premiers this April onwards

Highlights

• Henry Fielding’s famous novel is coming as a Miniseries
• Audience expectations for the series
• A preview of the miniseries is released
• Social Media reach of the miniseries

“It is much easier to make good men wise than to make bad men good.”

Henry Fielding, 

Plot and Release Date

“The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling” is a novel written by Henry Fielding and published in 1749. It tells the story of Tom Jones, an orphan boy who is raised by a wealthy landowner, Squire Allworthy, and falls in love with his beautiful neighbor, Sophia Western.

The novel is set in 18th-century England, and it satirizes the society of the time. It portrays the social and moral conditions of the time and offers a critique of the hypocrisy and corruption of the upper classes.

Tom Jones, the protagonist of the novel, is a handsome and charismatic young man who is well-liked by almost everyone he meets. He falls in love with Sophia Western, but their relationship is opposed by Sophia’s father, who has arranged for her to marry a wealthy and respectable man.

Tom’s adventures take him to London, where he becomes involved in various romantic entanglements and encounters many colorful characters, including a highwayman, a prostitute, and a wealthy merchant. Throughout his adventures, Tom remains true to his principles and ultimately wins Sophia’s heart.

The novel is notable for its use of a third-person narrator who often addresses the reader directly and comments on the action. It is also known for its humor, wit, and vivid characterizations.

“The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling” was well-received upon its publication and is now considered a classic of English literature. It has been adapted for stage, film, and television numerous times and remains a popular work of fiction today.

Cast and Characters

• Solly McLeod as Tom Jones
• Sophie Wilde as Sophia Western
• Hannah Waddingham as Lady Bellaston
• Pearl Mackie as Honour
• Daniel Rigby as Patridge
• Hattie Gotobed as Betty Seagrim
• Laura Marcus as Susan
• Tamzin Merchant as Aunt Harriet
• Shirley Henderson as Aunt Western
• Felicity Montagu as Bridget Allworthy 
• Julian Rhind-Tutt as Fitzpatrick
• Susannah Fielding as Mrs.Waters
• Alun Armstrong as Squire Western
• James Fleet as Squire Allworthy
• Dean Lennox Kelly as Black George
• Janine Duvitski as Mrs. Wilkins
• Frances Grey as Mrs. Miller
• Edmund Kingsley as Captain Blifil

Trailer

Masterpiece PBS’s official youtube channel released a preview video of the upcoming miniseries ‘Tom Jones’ on January 18th, 2023 and it crossed 113k views already. In the trailer, we can see a glimpse of the story filled with comedy, romance, and drama elements.

Twitter Check

Love at first look… We are thrilled to share the first photo from our upcoming miniseries, Tom Jones. @solly_mcleod stars as Tom Jones and Sophie Wilde as Sophia Western. pic.twitter.com/O9qjbFIOMX

— MASTERPIECE | PBS (@masterpiecepbs) November 3, 2021

On 3rd November 2021, Masterpiece| PBS’s official Twitter account shared a tweet of a picture of the lead characters of the Tom Jones miniseries.

Audience Expectation

When “The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling” was first published in 1749, it was met with both critical acclaim and controversy. Some critics praised its humor, wit, and social commentary, while others found its depiction of sex and morality scandalous and immoral.

Today, the novel is regarded as a classic of English literature and is widely studied and admired for its vivid characters, complex plot, and masterful storytelling. It continues to be appreciated for its critique of the hypocrisies and corruptions of society and for its exploration of the human condition.

Readers can expect to encounter a richly detailed and engaging narrative, full of memorable characters and vivid descriptions of 18th-century England. They can also expect to encounter complex themes and issues, including love, morality, class, and the role of society in shaping individual behavior.

Conclusion

Overall, “The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling” is a rewarding and entertaining work of literature that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.