‘A Christmas Carol’ recap: What happened in Episode 1?

The BBC’s new adaptation of A Christmas Carol began in the UK tonight.

Based on Charles Dickens’ classic story, the three-part festive mini-series is written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

The all-star cast includes Australian actor Guy Pearce (Mary Queen of Scots) as Ebenezer Scrooge, Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings) as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Stephen Graham (Line of Duty) as Jacob Marley.

Here’s a plot recap for the first episode, which aired at 9pm on Sunday 22nd December 2019 on BBC One:

Misanthropic businessman Ebenezer Scrooge refuses to treat Christmas as different to any other day, much to Bob Cratchit’s (Joe Alwyn) chagrin, as he is desperate to leave work and get home to his family on Christmas Eve.

Scrooge’s dead former business partner Jacob Marley begs for peace in his coffin. Having repented himself, the Spirits have news for him.

He will linger in purgatory until Scrooge himself repents, something Marley knows he will never do.

Tim (Lenny Rush) writes his yearly thank-you letter to cousin Jack, thanking him for the money that saved his life, but Mary’s (Vinette Robinson) prickly reaction rouses Bob’s suspicions.

A spooked Scrooge is visited by Marley, who has a warning: Scrooge will be visited by three Spirits.

Charles Dickens’ original A Christmas Carol novel is available on Amazon.