Cranford is the BBC drama series adapted from Mary Gaskell's classic novels of small town gossip, secrets and romance.
It's 1842. Cranford, a market town in the North West of England, is a place governed by etiquette, custom and above all, an intricate network of ladies. It seems that life has always been conducted according to their social rules, but Cranford is on the cusp of change...
For spinsters Deborah Jenkyns, the arbiter of correctness in Cranford, and Matty, her demurring sister, the town is a hub of intrigue: a handsome new doctor Frank Harrison from London has arrived, a retired Captain and his daughters have moved in to a house opposite, and the preparations for Lady Ludlow's garden party are underway. Everyone - from charming rogue Dr Marshland to mean Mrs Jamieson and her lap dog - talks, and is talked about, behind closed doors.
The town also has its secrets which it slowly reveals: Matty's encounter with an old flame at the garden party; Lady Ludlow's gardener, Mr Carter, teaching a gypsy lad to read and write; the wild expectations of the May Day celebrations and - news that shakes the town when it is revealed - a railway line from Manchester is coming to Cranford.
BBC Video and distributor Warner Home Video have announced a May 20th DVD release date in North America for Cranford, a new period drama which debuted in the U.K. this past November. Stars include Dame Judi Dench ( As Time Goes By, the 007 films), Sir Michael Gambon (The Harry Potter films, The Omen: 666), Imelda Staunton ( Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Vera Drake), and Simon Woods ( Rome, Pride & Prejudice).
The 2-disc set will be in widescreen video, with English - Stereo audio, and running time is 295 minutes for 5 episodes. A half-hour Behind The Scenes Featurette is included as an extra. Cost is going to be $34.98 SRP. Here's a look at the packaging:
  
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