
The Squires
Clip: Season 2023 | 1m 59sVideo has Closed Captions
Hear from actors James Fleet and Alun Armstrong about their roles as the Squires.
Squire Allworthy and Squire Western may have their status in common, but are otherwise as different as can be. Hear from actors James Fleet and Alun Armstrong about their patriarchal roles.
Funding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking and Raymond James with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series’ future.

The Squires
Clip: Season 2023 | 1m 59sVideo has Closed Captions
Squire Allworthy and Squire Western may have their status in common, but are otherwise as different as can be. Hear from actors James Fleet and Alun Armstrong about their patriarchal roles.
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Meet Tom Jones Star Solly McLeod
Meet Solly McLeod, the British actor who snagged the role and infused it with an irresistible, jaunty warmth, and learn intriguing facts about the young star and his turn as Tom Jones, as revealed when he sat down with MASTERPIECE in April 2023.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(elegant orchestral music) - To compare the two Squires, they're very, very different.
- You've got Western played by Alun Armstrong, and Allworthy played by James Fleet, and they're the kinda linchpins of the two different households.
- Allworthy is a progressive slightly, and Western is like steeped in the Medieval Age.
(laughs) - As long as Ms. Western freely consents.
- Ha, who cares if she do or don't?
(chuckles) - (chuckles) Well, in the modern world.
- What, marry for love?
Did any of us?
- Squire Allworthy, it's all in the name really.
He's all worthy, and he's a very good man.
This is the measure of Allworthy.
His wife dies and all his children die in infancy, but he doesn't despair or turn to drink or anything.
He just carries on and then finds a baby in his bed, and just raise us that one as if he was his own in this most generous way.
Look at his little face.
The good side of Tom Jones comes, perhaps, sort of from Squire Allworthy, 'cause he's compassionate and kind.
- Squire Allworthy is a thinking, bookish person, very refined.
Whereas Squire Western, he's got a bit of the peasant still in him.
He will just act without thinking, and doesn't really care what people think of him.
- Mr. Western.
- Spoiled him rotten, the lot a you!
He's a very intemperate man, and he's really only interested in drinking and hunting.
You would think that Squire Western would be a terrible parent, but he manages to produce this wonderfully well-rounded, beautiful character in his granddaughter.
Sophie!
Oh!
My lovely girl!
(chuckles) Oh!
Well, I hope city life hasn't spoiled you.
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Costume designer Hazel Webb Crozier and more discuss the beautiful costumes of the series. (2m 54s)
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Hear from the cast about the aunts of the series and their very different personalities. (2m 52s)
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Cast and crew describe what it was like filming the series in scenic Northern Ireland. (1m 58s)
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Hear from actors James Fleet and Alun Armstrong about their roles as the Squires. (1m 59s)
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The cast and crew describe how they made the fresh new adaptation of Tom Jones. (2m 55s)
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"You and me and the world before us." Tom and Sophia's love truly did conquer all. (2m 49s)
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After reuniting with her grandfather, Sophia has an announcement to make. (1m 28s)
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Tom’s letter to Lady Bellaston threatens his prospects with Sophia. A secret emerges. (30s)
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Tom finds himself lured away from the masked ball by a mysterious woman. (1m 17s)
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Tom is lured to a masquerade by an insatiable paramour; complications develop. (30s)
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Blifil and Sophia have an awkward meeting regarding their impending marriage. (1m 18s)
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Tom is banished by Allworthy. Meanwhile, Sophia flees her impending marriage to Blifil. (30s)
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For the first time since childhood, Sophia and Tom lay eyes on each other. (1m 28s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipFunding for MASTERPIECE is provided by Viking and Raymond James with additional support from public television viewers and contributors to The MASTERPIECE Trust, created to help ensure the series’ future.