The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister

The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister is a 2010 British television biographical drama film about the 19th century Yorkshire landowner Anne Lister. It was directed by James Kent and starred Maxine Peake as Lister. The script by Jane English drew from Listers diaries, written in code, and decoded many years after her death. The story follows Listers lesbian relationships and her independent lifestyle as an industrialist. It was filmed in late 2009 in various locations in Yorkshire. The film was shown at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in March 2010, and broadcast in the United Kingdom by the BBC in May. It drew mixed reviews from critics, who generally praised the performance of Maxine Peake, although some did not enjoy the script.

The script for The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister was written by Jane English and the film was directed by James Kent. Maxine Peake, who had not previously heard of Lister, was keen to take part in a production with several strong female characters. She said of her role, It was a privilege I panicked about playing her at first because she is such an important figure and because she is very much part of lesbian and gay culture and you want to do a good job. She spent time with Lister expert Helena Whitbread, learning more about Listers personality. For this part Peake was able to work with Dean Lennox Kelly, her former onscreen partner from Shameless. Before filming began, the cast rehearsed in director Kents flat. The drama was filmed during November and December 2009 in Yorkshire. Filming locations included Shibden Hall, Newburgh Priory, Bramham Park, Oakwell Hall, the North York Moors and the city of York.Anne Lister Maxine Peake is a young unmarried woman living in 19th century Yorkshire, at Shibden Hall, with her aunt Gemma Jones and uncle Alan David. The one thing she wants from life is to have someone to love and to share her life with. The person she has in mind is Mariana Belcombe Anna Madeley, with whom she has been conducting a secret romantic and sexual relationship. The relationship breaks apart when Mariana marries a rich widower named Charles Lawton Michael Culkin. Depressed, Anne devotes her time to studying. A year after Marianas wedding, Anne begins to think about finding another lover. She meets a young woman in church named Miss Browne Tina OBrien, and they become close friends. ........

Source: Wikipedia