Little Sir Nicholas

1 9 9 0 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes

Based on a novel by CA Jones, this Sunday teatime BBC series told the story of the wealthy Cornish Tremaine family, who lost their Naval officer son, Sir Walter Tremaine, at sea in a shipping accident in the English Channel that claimed the lives of his French wife and his small son Nicholas.

Six years later – still struggling to come to terms with the loss of her son and grandson – Lady Tremaine (Rachel Gurney) advertised across the country in an attempt to find a new heir to inherit the family title.

Her search led her to the poverty-stricken and precocious 12-year-old Gerald Tremaine (Jonathan Norris).

But just as Gerald settled into his new wealthy life as a baronet in Cornwall – with his scheming mother Joanna (Bernice Stegers) and kindly sister Margaret (Louisa Milwood-Haigh) – Nicholas (Max Beazley) was discovered living in France, where he had washed up in Brittany and made a new life for himself after being adopted by a French peasant family.

When the boy was returned to England and named the Tremaine heir, Gerald and Joanna faced losing the luxury they had quickly become accustomed to.

Confusion, resentment and anger didn’t take long to bubble to the surface as Nicholas struggled to adapt to his family in England, and Gerald refused to accept someone else taking his place.

Broadcast over six episodes in January and February 1990, the series was filmed on location in Devon and Cornwall.

Sir Nicholas Tremaine
Max Beazley
Young Nicholas Tremaine
Stefan Beazley
Gerald Tremaine
Jonathan Norris
William Randle
Christopher Villiers
Robinson
Jack Watson
Mrs Joanna Tremaine
Bernice Stegers
Margaret Tremaine
Louisa Milwood-Haigh
Lady Tremaine
Rachel Gurney
Dulcie
Catherine Shipton
Apted
Julian Fellowes
Mere Annette
Jenny McCracken
Lucie
Olivia Gillan
Bootle
Philip Whitchurch
Penfold
James Ellis
Mrs Snell
Veronica Clifford
Baker
Paddy Ward