SILVER SPRING, MD; January 3, 2008 —Acorn Media announces the February 19, 2008 DVD release of Lillie, a classic from the golden age of the British miniseries on a par with The Pallisers, The First Churchills, and Brideshead Revisited. In this sumptuous production, meticulously recreated costumes and sets, location filming, and a 1,000-member cast make for a rare viewing experience. This acclaimed 13-part drama traces Lillie Langtry’s fascinating rise from churchman’s daughter to an independent—and infamous—woman of the world.

Walt Whitman called Lillie Langtry “the essence of poetry.” James Whistler confessed that even he couldn’t capture her beauty in a painting. And George Bernard Shaw declared her “intelligent, daring, and independent.” In a BAFTA award-winning performance, the incandescently beautiful Francesca Annis (Wives and Daughters, Madame Bovary, Reckless, The Libertine) portrays the acclaimed actress and courtesan from the blush of youth to the blight of old age.

Smart, stunning, and scandalous, Lillie proved a forerunner to modern celebrity idols. At a time when society expected women to be docile and demure, Lillie posed for celebrity endorsements, conducted her own business affairs, and paid her first husband to keep his distance. Even more scandalously, she openly entertained a string of lovers among Europe’s elite, including the very married Prince of Wales—all while managing to win the respect and admiration of his wife. With its splendid cast and exquisite production elements, Lillie vividly captures the complex woman who became one of the most infamous figures of the Victorian age.

The beloved British miniseries is fondly remembered from its PBS Masterpiece Theatre debut in 1979. The first-rate cast includes Denis Lill (Rumpole of the Bailey, Evita), Anton Rodgers (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, May to December), Peter Egan (Death at a Funeral, Chariots of Fire), and Joanna David (The Forsyte Saga, Pride and Prejudice).

Special Features: Essay about Lillie Langtry’s impact on pop culture and cast filmographies.

Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., Acorn Media distributes distinctive home video releases to the North American market with a special focus on the best of British television. Acorn’s DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn Media at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com.