Gemma Arterton in Tess of the D’Urbervilles
In this BBC one series shown at nine o’clock on Sundays, Gemma plays the heroine Tess. She is most well known for her staring role in the 2007 version of St. Trinians. She is now known as although accomplished, still up and coming actress. She plays the character of Tess derby-field, an innocent yet opinionated peasant girl from a poor family, with fantastic empathy. I was delighted when the series was recommended for this review as I have been following with great enthusiasm since day one.
Tess is sent to work for her long lost relations the “d’Urbervilles” as a chicken farmer, as part of “claiming kin”. However this turns out to be a terrible mistake as she is viciously rapped by Alic D’Urberville, a rich yet troubled young man who is evidently mental unstable. Tess had never fully trusted Alic; however her confidence was severely knocked. She left her position and fled home, only to find she was pregnant. Though the child had been forced upon her it was evident (thanks to Gemma’s accomplished performance), that Tess still loved it. She was therefore devastated when, at only a few months old, it died. She left her home and went to work on a dairy farm, seeming much happier. Unfortunately she could never fully escape her past. (Mainly thanks to Alic, who would not let her, go).and could never move on even after falling in love. She cannot get on with her life while her past is still secreted.