TV preview: Doctor Thorne

Adapted by Julian ‘Downton Abbey’ Fellowes from Anthony Trollope’s novel, Hollander takes the title role as the doctor who lives with his young niece, Mary, a girl blessed with every gift apart from money.

Mary Thorne has grown up alongside the Gresham family, whose house, Greshamsbury Park, dominates the county. With Francis Gresham (Richard McCabe) having frittered away the family fortune, his wife Lady Arabella (Front), their two daughters and their handsome brother Frank face losing their home.

Lady Arabella hopes Frank will save the family estate, but when he falls in love with the penniless Mary the future looks bleak.

The railway baron Sir Roger Scatcherd (Ian McShane) has lent the family a lot of money and to prevent them falling out, and Doctor Thorne acts as a go-between.

“He is always repressing his own feelings in favour of doing the right thing for someone else, so in that sense he is a very impressive person, says Hollander.

“He is a very low-key hero, but he stands up when needed.

“The production looks beautiful. In one sense it’s like a rom-com... It’s escapism and very lovely to watch.”

Doctor Thorne, ITV1, Sunday, 9pm