The Personal History of David Copperfield Cast & Character Guide

Who’s in the ensemble cast for The Personal History of David Copperfield, and how do you know them? Based on Charles Dickens’ famous 19th century novel, the period film marks the latest feature from humorist Armando Iannucci, a Scottish writer-director who created the HBO series Veep. The Personal History of David Copperfield released in August 2020.

The Personal History of David Copperfield follows the original novel storyline. The title character struggles to get by during his formative years, and seeks out a relative after his mother’s death. David’s consistently experiences high and lows, but pushes forward with his dream of being a writer. The Personal History of David Copperfield marks the fourth feature for Iannucci, whose 2017 comedy The Death of Stalin was well-received by critics and general moviegoers.

The Personal History of David Copperfield main cast features several big names, and the featured players in the supporting cast could lead a film of their own. Given the prestige of Dickens’ titular classic, any type of movie adaptation needs a brilliant ensemble lineup. Here’s a cast and character guide for Iannucci’s highly-anticipated 2020 film.

Dev Patel As David Copperfield

Dev Patel stars as the title character, an aspiring author.

In pop culture, Patel is best know for starring as Jamal in Slumdog Millionaire. He also earned an Oscar nomination for portraying Saroo Brierley in Lion.

The Personal History Of David Copperfield’s Main Cast

Peter Capaldi as Mr. Micawber: A clerk. Peter Capalidi starred as The Doctor in Doctor Who from 2008 to 2017. He’ll appear as The Thinker in the upcoming DCEU film The Suicide Squad.

Aneurin Barnard as James Steerforth: David’s snobbish friend. Aneurin Barnard portrayed Gibson in Dunkirk and Paul Langevin in Radioactive.

Tilda Swinton as Betsey Trotwood: David’s great-aunt. Tilda Swinton won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Michael Clayton. She also portrayed Mason in Snowpiercer and The Ancient One in Doctor Strange.

Hugh Laurie as Mr. Dick: Betsey’s distant relative. Hugh Laurie is best know for starring as the title character in House. He recently portrayed Tom James in Veep and Major de Coverley in Catch-22.

Ben Whishaw as Uriah Heep: David’s malicious acquaintance. Ben Whishaw portrayed Limping Man in The Lobster and Cabin Boy in Cloud Atlas. He’ll soon appear as Rabbi Milligan in Fargo season 4.

The Personal History Of David Copperfield’s Supporting Cast

Morfydd Clark as Dora Spenlow/Clara Copperfield: David’s wife; David’s mother. Morfydd Clark portrayed Georgiana in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Beth in Crawl. She’s also been cast in The Lord of the Rings TV series.

Rosalind Eleazar as Agnes Wickfield: David’s close friend. Rosalind Eleazar portrayed Violet Cross in Harlots and Kate in Deep Water.

Daisy May Cooper as Peggotty: A servant. Daisy May Cooper portrays Kerry Mucklowe in This Country and Sarah in Avenue 5.

Paul Whitehouse as Mr. Peggotty: The brother of David’s nurse. Paul Whitehouse has appeared in Ghost Stories and The Death of Stalin.

Anthony Welsh as Ham Peggotty: Mr. Peggotty’s nephew. Anthony Welsh has appeared in Black Mirror and portrays Leo Garner in Hanna.

Benedict Wong as Mr. Wickfield: Betsey’s lawyer. Benedict Wong is best known for his role as Wong in the MCU. He also voiced The General in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

Nikki Amuka-Bird as Mrs. Steerforth: James’ mother. Nikki Amuka-Bird portrayed Diomika Tsing in Jupiter Ascending and Rav Mulcair in Avenue 5.

Darren Boyd as Edward Murdstone: David’s step-father. Darren Boyd has appeared in Spy and Four Lions.

Gwendoline Christie as Jane Murdstone: Edward’s sister. Gwendoline Christie earned a big following for portraying Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones, Captain Phasma in the Star Wars franchise, and Commander Lyme in The Hunger Games franchise.

Matthew Cottle as Mr. Spenlow: David’s boss. Matthew Cottle portrayed Stan Laurel in Chaplin and Edward in The Windsors.

Bronagh Gallagher as Mrs. Micawber: Wilkins’ wife. Bronagh Gallagher portrayed Trudi in Pulp Fiction and Carol Dennings in Brassic.

Aimee Kelly as Emily: David’s childhood friend. Aimee Kelly portrayed Maddy Smith in Wolfblood.

Anna Maxwell Martin as Mrs. Strong: Dr. Strong’s wife. Anna Maxwell Martin has appeared in Becoming Jane and Philomena.

Victor McGuire as Creakle: David’s boarding school headmaster. Victor McGuire has appeared in The Phantom of the Opera and Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens.

Ruby Bentall as Janet: Betsey’s maid. Ruby Bentall portrayed Verity Blamey in Poldark.

Divian Ladwa as Dr. Chillip: A doctor who angers Betsey. Divian Ladwa portrayed Mantosh Brierley in Lion and Uzman in Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Rosaleen Linehan as Mrs. Gummidge: Daniel’s friend. Rosaleen Linehan portrayed May Dedalus in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

Sophie McShera as Mrs. Crupp: David’s landlady. Sophia McShera portrayed Daisy Mason in Downton Abbey and Drisella in Cinderella.

Peter Singh as Tungay: Creakle’s colleague. Peter Singh portrays Operator Phillips in The Capture.

The Personal History of David Copperfield was written by Iannucci and Simon Blackwell.

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About The Author

Q.V. Hough
(1892 Articles Published)

Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

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