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.

Despite his grim discovery, Tulkinghorn remains undeterred from his ruthless inquiry into Lady Dedlock's past.

A chance encounter in the country raises intriguing questions for Esther and Lady Dedlock. Meanwhile, Tulkinghorn finally unearths the identity of the mysterious Nemo.

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.

Richard's obsession with the Jarndyce case has grown to worrying proportions. Meanwhile, John Jarndyce agonises over whether to keep his feelings for Esther concealed.

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?

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.

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.