North & South (2004) serial is based on the 1855 Victorian novel North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell and takes place in the years surrounding the Great Exhibition of 1851. It was adapted for television by Sandy Welch and directed by Brian Percival.
Richard Armitage was voted "Most Desirable Drama Star" and "Best Actor," Daniela Denby-Ashe was voted "Best Actress" and three different scenes were voted as the year's "Favourite Moments," with the final scene winning the number one spot.
Daniela Denby-Ashe had not originally auditioned for the role of Margaret Hale but for that of Fanny Thornton, and was not sure she would be participating on the project, but the producers had been looking for the right Margaret for a long time and Denby-Ashe's "directness, energy and charm" as well as the chemistry she had with would-be co-star Richard Armitage proved decisive. Armitage himself had been the first actor to read for the role of John Thornton and even though his performance had impressed producer Kate Bartlett and casting director Jill Trevellick, they still had to see many other possible Thorntons. Three weeks after casting Armitage was last cast as Trevellick decided to recapitulate the first auditions, realizing that Armitage was "perfect."
North & South was voted "Best Drama" in the BBC drama website's annual poll in 2004.
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