Fifteen years after the original Cranford captivated audiences with its gentle portrait of Victorian village life, the BBC has brought back the world of Elizabeth Gaskell in Return to Cranford, a five-part miniseries that has quickly become one of the most cherished comfort watches of the season. Written by Heidi Thomas (Call the Midwife) and directed by Steve Barron, the revival picks up in 1844, two years after the events of the first series, as the women of Cranford face the unstoppable arrival of the railway – a literal and symbolic threat to their timeless, idyllic community. Joining the returning stars Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, and Lesley Manville is a major new addition: Tom Hiddleston as the charismatic, forward-thinking railway engineer Captain James Harrison, whose arrival stirs both excitement and unease in the close-knit village.

Hiddleston’s casting is a masterstroke. The 44-year-old actor, known for his roles in Loki and The Night Manager, brings a perfect blend of charm, quiet authority, and subtle vulnerability to Captain Harrison. Tasked with bringing the railway through Cranford, Harrison must navigate the resistance of the town’s formidable ladies – particularly Miss Matty Jenkyns (Dench), who sees the iron tracks as the end of everything she holds dear. Hiddleston plays the engineer with warmth and intelligence, making him sympathetic even as he represents progress. His chemistry with the ensemble is immediate and delightful: the scenes where he gently debates Miss Matty over tea are among the series’ most tender, while his flirtation with the widowed Lady Glenmire (Staunton) adds a spark of gentle romance that feels earned rather than forced.

The returning cast remains impeccable. Judi Dench’s Miss Matty is still the moral heart of Cranford – frail but fierce, her quiet determination to protect the village’s spirit is deeply moving. Imelda Staunton’s Lady Glenmire, now married to Dr. Harrison (Greg Wise), balances sharp wit with unexpected softness, while Lesley Manville’s Miss Pole remains the town’s irrepressible gossip, delivering every line with perfect comic timing. The new characters fit seamlessly: Eileen Atkins returns as Miss Pole’s sister, bringing her trademark dry humor, and Finty Williams shines as Mary Smith, the young woman whose letters home frame the story.

Heidi Thomas’ script is a love letter to Gaskell’s world. The railway symbolizes the Industrial Revolution’s encroachment on rural England, but the series never loses sight of the human cost. Episodes explore friendship, class tension, and the quiet courage of women in a changing world. The tone is warm yet bittersweet – progress is inevitable, but the loss of the old ways is felt deeply. The production values are exquisite: filmed in the same Cheshire villages that stood in for Cranford in the original, the series glows with autumnal light, candlelit parlors, and the soft haze of woodsmoke. Annie Symons’ costumes are breathtaking, and Carl Davis’ returning score feels like a warm embrace.

Critics have embraced the revival. The Guardian awarded five stars: “A perfect blend of comfort and courage – Cranford still has the power to heal.” The Telegraph called it “a love letter to friendship and resilience – Dench, Staunton, Manville, and now Hiddleston are national treasures.” On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 95% critics score and 90% audience score, with viewers saying “I cried happy tears in episode 4” and “This is the cozy drama we needed in 2025.”

Return to Cranford isn’t just a sequel – it’s a reunion. For fans who have watched these women grow through courtship, loss, scandal, and joy, seeing them face progress together feels like coming home. As Miss Matty says in the finale: “Change is coming – but we’ll face it together, as we always have.”

Stream Return to Cranford now on BBC iPlayer or BritBox. It’s the perfect reminder that some stories – and some friendships – are timeless.