Emily Watson – Marmee March

Little Women Emily Watson as Marmee

Who does she play? Margaret "Marmee" March is the girls' mother and the heart of the family. She seeks to raise her girls with good morals and strong characters, encouraging them to be charitable and forgiving.

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Where have I seen her before? Emily Watson brings some real star power to Little Women. She recently played Yvonne Carmichael in the thriller Apple Tree Yard, and has also starred in Genius, Testament of Youth, The Theory of Everything and The Book Thief.


Angela Lansbury – Aunt March

Little Women – Angela Lansbury as Aunt March

Who does she play? The girls' great-aunt March is a rich widow and a wonderful character. She's temperamental, judgemental, disapproving and strict – but she also has a wicked sense of humour and secretly loves her family.

Where have I seen her before? Dame Angela Lansbury is 92 years old and has spent most of her life on stage and on screen. She starred in Gaslight, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Murder She Wrote.


Michael Gambon – Mr Laurence

Little Women – Michael Gambon as Mr Laurence

Who does he play? Mr Laurence is the March family's wealthy neighbour, and grandfather to a boy called Laurie who arrives to live with him at the beginning of the story. He's lonely in his mansion and often cross with Laurie, but he takes a fatherly role with the March girls while their parents are away and develops a friendship with Beth, who he coaxes to practice on his piano.

Where have I seen him before? You must recognise Michael Gambon: he's starred as everyone from Albus Dumbledore to Jules Maigret. Recently he played Sir Alastair McKinnon in the TV series Fearless and Henry Tyson in Fortitude.


Jonah Hauer-King – Laurie Laurence

Little Women – Jonah Hauer-King as Laurie Laurence

Who does he play? Laurie is the "boy next door" who lives with his rich grandfather Mr Laurence. Although attractive and charming, he is a little lonely: his parents have died, and he can never live up to his grandfather's expectations. He befriends the March sisters.

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Where have I seen him before? You may recognise Jonah's face from his appearance in Howards End as Paul Wilcox – the family's youngest son who had second thoughts about his hasty engagement to Helen Schlegel.

Authors

Eleanor Bley GriffithsDrama Editor, RadioTimes.com
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