‘Tom Jones’ the new PBS Masterpiece Show, is a period Rom-Com: Everything We Know About the Series

The beloved novel, The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling by Henry Fielding is getting a modern makeover as a four-part miniseries produced by MASTERPIECE, ITV, and Mammoth Screen (known for their successes with Victoria and Poldark). The new adaptation promises to be refreshing with a storyline where the sun never stops shining, love conquers all, and a pair of young sweethearts that everyone can cheer for. Basically, Tom Jones (2023) is the ultimate rom-com.

But this adaptation is not just a lighthearted love story; it also tackles modern concerns such as consent, sexual equality, and the pursuit of happiness. The dramatic rollercoaster ride Tom and Sophia embark on highlights the enormous obstacles they overcome before finally finding their way home and returning to each other.

Writer and executive producer Gwyneth Hughes promises that this classic adaptation will have a wise soul and a great big smile on its face. With its sexy and fun elements, this adaptation of Henry Fielding’s 18th-century novel is sure to captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds. 

What is the ‘Tom Jones’ series on PBS about? 

The show tells the story of a young man named Tom Jones (Solly McLeod) as he navigates his way through a world of moral dilemmas and social conventions, rising from being a bastard child to an honorable hero.

Throughout the show, Tom Jones wins the heart of the enchanting Sophia Western, and together, they overcome enormous obstacles before finally finding their way home and to each other. This adaptation promises to be a heartwarming and thought-provoking journey reminding us of love’s power and the human spirit. It also tackles modern concerns such as consent, sexual equality, and the pursuit of happiness.

The show promises to take audiences to a world of watchful aunts, worldly-wise servants, and a colorful cast of characters. Sophia, played by the talented Sophie Wilde, is surrounded by a trio of aunts who watch her every move closely. There’s the headstrong Aunt Western, the diffident Aunt Harriet, and Lady Bellaston.

There’s also Sophia’s trusty servant, Honour, who adds depth and dimension to the story. Her worldly-wise perspective and unyielding loyalty to Sophia make her an invaluable ally in navigating the tumultuous world of 18th-century England.

As Tom is banished in disgrace by his adoptive father and forced to leave for London, the stage is set for an epic adventure. Not far behind him, Sophia also heads to London to escape a forced marriage to William and seek the protection of her aunts.

Along the way, Tom encounters a cast of characters, including disgraced schoolmaster Partridge, played brilliantly by Daniel Rigby, the mysterious Mrs. Waters, portrayed by Susannah Fielding, and the irascible soldier-of-fortune Fitzpatrick, brought to life by the incomparable Julian Rhind-Tutt.

Who is in the cast of Tom Jones? 

The PBS Masterpiece show Tom Jonas has a brilliant cast that is headlined by Sophie Wilde, who plays Sophia Western. The Australian actor is famous for the crime thriller Eden and was most recently seen in the movie The Portable Door. 

Solly McLeod plays the titular character of Tom Jones, known for House of Dragon, Outlander, and The Rising. 

In addition to the two main characters, there’s Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) as Lady Bellaston, James Fleet (Bridgerton) as Squire Allworthy, Alun Armstrong as Squire Western, Felicity Montague as Bridget and James Wilbraham as William.

When and Where can I stream ‘Tom Jones’?

The television adaptation of the classic novel Tom Jones premiered on PBS stations across the United States on Sunday, April 30th at 9 p.m. ET.

If you missed the premiere, don’t worry – you can still catch all the action by streaming the show via PBS Passport or Masterpiece on Amazon Prime. The series will be aired in four parts which will air through May 21st, 2023. 

Where was the series ‘Tom Jones’ shot? 

The stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Northern Ireland provide the perfect backdrop for the television adaptation of the classic novel Tom Jones. 

The bustling capital city of Belfast is one of the primary production locations for the show, with many key sequences filmed in and around the historic Queen’s Quarter, also known as University Quarter.

Additionally, the show’s production team utilizes the elegant Upper Crescent area of the city, with its distinctive row of three-storeyed homes, as a stand-in for Regency London.

Beyond Belfast, the cast and crew of Tom Jones venture to the charming village of Saintfield in County Down, where they capture several important scenes around the former H and J McRoberts Bar on Main Street. 

They also made use of the majestic interiors of Castle Ward, an 18th-century mansion owned by the National Trust, as well as the stunning Georgian-style Grey Abbey House on the Ards Peninsula.

The town of Downpatrick is another key location for the show, with several pivotal sequences filmed in and around the Judges’ Lodgings near Down County Museum on The Mall, English Street. The museum’s Ballykinlar Hut serves as a filming site for some interior scenes, while the grand Myra Castle, located nearby, also makes an appearance.

Further afield, Tom Jones takes audiences to the picturesque village of Gracehill in County Antrim, as well as the historic Galgorm Castle in the town of Ballymena. Finally, the county town of Armagh provides the perfect setting for several period scenes in the series.

Watch the trailer for the series here:

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