New ‘Tom Jones’ series confirms ITVX premiere date in UK

ITV has announced when the new adaptation of Tom Jones starts in the UK.

Based on Henry Fielding’s classic 1749 novel, the mini-series is a co-production with PBS, who announced the US release date earlier this year.

The upcoming four-part period drama sees the makers of Poldark and Victoria team up with writer Gwyneth Hughes, who adapted Vanity Fair for ITV in 2018.

Hughes previously commented: “Tom Jones is the mother of all romcoms and isn’t that just what we all need after the last couple of years of misery?

She said: “It’s a story where the sun barely stops shining, where love conquers all, and at its warm heart stand a pair of young sweethearts everyone can root for.”

Watch a clip from the first episode here:

The Miss Austen Regrets writer added: “Henry Fielding’s 18th century novel is sexy and fun; it’s also a dramatic rollercoaster, addressing so many modern concerns around consent, sexual equality and the pursuit of happiness.

“Tom and Sophia overcome enormous obstacles before finding their way home and to each other. This is a classic adaptation with a wise soul and a great big smile on its face.”

When’s the UK release date?

ITV revealed today, as part of its May 2023 monthly highlights announcement, that Tom Jones will launch on ITVX in the UK on Thursday 4th May.

All four episodes will be available to watch on the new streaming service upon release.

The series will then be broadcast weekly on ITV1 later in 2023.

Here’s the trailer:

Over in the US, Tom Jones will premiere the previous week, debuting on Sunday 30th April on PBS Masterpiece.

American viewers will also be able to stream on PBS.org, PBS Passport, and the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel.

Leading the cast as our hero Tom is Solly McLeod (The Rising), playing the role previously played by Albert Finney in the classic 1963 movie sixty years ago.

Taking over from Susannah York as heroine Sophia Western is Sophie Wilde (You Don’t Know Me).

Emmy award-winner Hannah Waddingham from Ted Lasso and Sex Education is playing the seductive and vengeful Lady Bellaston.

The Vicar of Dibley star James Fleet plays Squire Allworthy, while Alun Armstrong (New Tricks) plays Squire Western, and Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter) is Sophia’s Aunt Western.

The cast also includes Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who), Susannah Fielding (Life), Daniel Rigby (Black Mirror), Felicity Montagu (The Durrells), Janine Duvitski (Benidorm), Tamzin Merchant (Carnival Row), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Britannia), and Dean Lennox Kelly (Shameless).

Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones novel is available on Amazon.