The plot is set in VictorianLondon and revolves around Jedrington Secret-Past and his family: his wife Conceptiva, son Victor and daughter Victoria. The characters and themes are based on some of Dickens' most famous novels, including Great Expectations, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol. Some themes of the time were referenced from time to time including the anti-French sentiment, harsh corporal punishments used in schools, debtors' prisons, filthy living conditions in London and the large gap between rich and poor.
Main characters
Jedrington Secret-Past - the main protagonist, long-lost son of Miss Christmasham. He is an up-standing family man and owner of The Old Shop of Stuff, Victorian London's most successful purveyor of miscellaneous odd things. Portrayed by Robert Webb
Conceptiva Secret-Past - wife to Jedrington. Portrayed by Katherine Parkinson
Victor Secret-Past - son of Jedrington and Conceptiva. Portrayed by Finlay Christie
Victoria Secret-Past - daughter of Jedrington and Conceptiva. Portrayed by Ambra Lily Keegan
Other cast members
Christmas Special
Stephen Fry as evil lawyer Malifax Skulkingworm, a parody of Mr. Tulkinghorn from Bleak House
Joshua McGuire as Fearshiver, Skulkingworm's clerk, a parody of Daniel Quilp from The Old Curiosity Shop
Terrence Hardiman as Martin Christmasham, a man who went mad after having a dead goose thrown on his head by a young Malifax Skulkingworm and failing to marry his fiancée - Miss Christmasham. Their son was Jedrington Secret-Past, and they were eventually married at the end of the first episode. A parody of Martin Chuzzlewit from the novel of the same name. 'The Skint' refers to The Clink Prison.
Celia Imrie as Miss Christmasham, the long-lost biological mother of Jedrington, eventual wife to Martin Christmasham, and former lover of Skulkingworm. A parody of Miss Havisham from Great Expectations
Judy Parfitt as Aunt Chastity
Phyllida Law as Aunt Sobriety
Una Stubbs as Aunt Good Spelling
Richard Johnson as Uncle Writes Prompt Thank You Cards
Johnny Vegas as The Artful Codger, an older urchin who failed his exam to pass for ne'er-do-well or vagabond. A parody of The Artful Dodger from Oliver Twist
Sidney Johnston as Urchin
Pauline McLynn as Maggoty, a 'treacle fiend' whom the Secret-Pasts meet in The Skint debtor's prison and has a habit of affectionately calling people birds' names, e.g. "my little songthrush". A parody of Miss Flyte from Bleak House, though the name refers to Peggoty from David Copperfield.
Episode 1
Susy Kane as the Duchess of Money
Episodes 1-2
Adrian Edmondson as the evil Dr Wackville, headmaster of St Nasty's
Episodes 1-3
Tim McInnerny as Harmswell Grimstone
Derek Griffiths as Pusweasel, Harmswell's assistant
Kevin Eldon as Servegood, Jedrington's assistant
Blake Harrison as Smalcolm, pupil and friend of Victor's at St Nasty's
Sarah Hadland as governess Miss Primly Tightclench
Llewella Gideon as Mrs Grumblechoop, a poor woman who saves and then attempts to exploit Conceptiva
Christmas special & Episode 2
David Mitchell as Jolliforth Jollington, a man who swells to a large size when thinking about happy things, and who deflates upon thinking depressing things or by being hurt. Loosely based on Wilkins Micawber from David Copperfield.
Episode 3
Graeme Garden as Judge Harshmore Grimstone, Harmswell's uncle
Cameos
Mark Evans as vicar of St Christmas, businessman, peasant
Abigail Burdess as Skulkingworm's mother in flashback, Mary-Anne, unnamed woman in Jedrington's "dream"
Dave Lamb as the Ghost of the Christmas Past from A Christmas Carol, Neverlost Dunthem
