In the 1830's in northern England, Riah Millican, a widow with three children, takes a job as housekeeper to a reclusive former teacher, Percival Miller. Miller makes Riah the gift of a black velvet gown, and even educates her children. But when Riah discovers the reason behind Miller's gifts, she vows to leave his house, but Miller has a hold on her, even after his death, when he leaves his house to her on the condition that she never marry. Riah's daughter, Biddy, grows up and becomes a laundress in a large house where her education keeps her from fitting in and makes her a target. But it also catches the eye of a son of the house, and with Miller's legacies, Biddy may yet find her way to happiness.
Directing | Norman Stone | Director |
Writing | Catherine Cookson | Writer |
Writing | Gordon Hann | Writer |
Sound | Carl Davis | Music |
Production | Ray Marshall | Producer |
Camera | Ken Westbury | Director of Photography |
Costume & Make-Up | Delphine Roche-Gordon | Costume Designer |
Art | Ashley Wilkinson | Production Design |
Editing | John MacDonnell | Editor |
Production | Michael Chaplin | Executive Producer |
Production | Ray Marshall | Executive Producer |
Production | Don Bell | Associate Producer |
Production | Susie Bruffin | Casting Director |
Production | Amanda Newland | Casting Assistant |
Writing | Nicole Cauverien | Script Editor |
Directing | Peter McAleese | First Assistant Director |
Directing | Peter McAleese | Second Unit Director |
Production | Christine Llewellyn Reeve | Location Manager |
Directing | Angela Marks | Script Supervisor |
Production | Thomas Mattinson | Production Coordinator |
Production | Jill Graham | Production Assistant |
Production | Helen Mallon | Production Secretary |
Directing | Neil Calder | Second Assistant Director |
Directing | Nael Abbas | Third Assistant Director |
Directing | Tommy Gormley | Third Assistant Director |
Camera | Alistair McKenzie | Camera Operator |
Camera | Ian Jackson | Focus Puller |
Camera | Andrew Gunn | Clapper Loader |
Camera | Jim Will | Grip |
Lighting | Ken Campbell | Gaffer |
Sound | Nic Grant | Sound Mixer |
Sound | John Hughes | Boom Operator |
Costume & Make-Up | Jennifer Boost | Makeup Department Head |
Costume & Make-Up | Jennifer Boost | Hair Department Head |
Costume & Make-Up | Nadia El-Saffar | Assistant Makeup Artist |
Costume & Make-Up | Gillian Garner | Assistant Makeup Artist |
Costume & Make-Up | Martin Boagey | Wardrobe Master |
Costume & Make-Up | Katherine Hyland | Wardrobe Assistant |
Art | Tim Puttnam | Art Direction |
Art | Gary Crumpton | Construction Manager |
Sound | Ian Frame | Sound Editor |
Art | Pauline Hume | Graphic Designer |