Tom Jones | Preview (ITV1)

MASTERPIECE, ITV and Mammoth Screen (Endeavour, The Serpent, Poldark) have partnered on a four-part adaptation of Henry Fielding’s classic novel, Tom Jones.

A rollercoaster story of the title character’s complicated journey to find real love, Tom Jones has delighted and scandalised readers since it was originally published in 1749.  

Solly McLeod (The Rising) stars as the hero Tom, alongside Sophie Wilde (You Don’t Know Me) as the heroine Sophia Western and Emmy award winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) as the seductive and vengeful Lady Bellaston. Written by Gwyneth Hughes (Vanity Fair, Miss Austen Regrets), Tom Jones is directed by Georgia Parris (Mari). 

Abandoned as a baby, rescued and adopted by a country gentleman called Squire Allworthy, Tom grows up kind, handsome, free-spirited, and very popular with the ladies.

But he cannot escape his lowly birth. So when he falls in love with wealthy heiress Sophia Western, and she falls in love with him, their families unite against the match. Tom is banished in disgrace, and Sophia runs aways from home to escape a forced marriage to William Blifil, the heir to Paradise Hall.

Sophia is prepared to give up everything for Tom – until she learns that he seems quite unable to say no to a series of adventurous flings with other women along the way.

Eventually, they both end up in London, facing the wiles and whims of Sophia’s aunt, the beguiling but dangerous Lady Bellaston, who will stop at nothing to destroy their love. Sophia quickly learns that the life of a young woman in London’s high society can be cruel and dangerous. 

Tom Jones airs Sundays from 22nd September at 10:20pm. Stream now on ITVX.