To me the most interesting thing about Cranford is the hat lady, sorry milliner lady, Miss Galindo played by Emma Fielding. Her story is the interesting one. Until now I thought the only way for early 19th century ladies to make their way independently in the world was to be come a governess (e.g. Jane Eyre). But now a second occupation opens up: making hats.
There needs to be a spin-off show about Miss Galindo and the adversity she faces in the hat-making world. Will the new railway increase the opportunities for her to market the hats? How will the industrialisation of hat-making affect her business? Will she find love with someone who doesn't look down on hat-making?
I did fear for Miss Galindo over the Christmas episodes recently shown on the BBC. They killed off Francesca Annis as Lady Ludlow and I thought a hat-making accident would be on the cards. Fortunately Miss Galindo survived and my hopes for a spin-off stay alive.
Failing that I would like to see Emma Fielding on TV more frequently. She was in that Ghost Squad thing about a secret police investigation unit a few years back, A Respectable Trade and one episode of Waking the Dead. Other than that I can't think of anything else I have seen her in.
Here's to more Emma Fielding/Miss Galindo in 2010!
