Part 1

Adaptation of Thackeray's satirical novel. 1 of 6: During the Napoleonic Wars, Becky Sharp, an impoverished orphan, and her young friend Amelia Sedley, leave Miss Pinkerton's Academy. Amelia is to take her place in the family home and Becky is going for a short stay with the family, before being sent out to earn her living as a governess. But Becky's attentions are drawn to Jos, Amelia's brother

Part 2

Adaptation of Thackeray's satirical novel. 2 of 6: Becky may have failed to extract a proposal from Jos Sedley but she fares much better after her arrival at Queen's Crawley.

Part 3

Adaptation of Thackeray's satirical novel. 3 of 6: Becky, now married to Rawdon Crawley, renews her friendship with Jos Sedley, and shows George Osborne just how charming she can be. Amelia finds her heart's desire and comes face to face with her greatest fear. Meanwhile, there are battles to be fought.

Part 4

Adaptation of Thackeray's satirical novel. 4 of 6: The Battle of Waterloo is about to begin. Brussels is in chaos, Amelia is distraught, Becky is thriving, and life is about to change for all of them.

Part 5

Dramatisation of Thackeray's satire. 5 of 6: Becky's friendship with Lord Steyne becomes a serious problem and Amelia finds herself faced with an impossible choice.

Part 6

Dramatisation of Thackeray's satire. 6 of 6: Becky faces her toughest challenge so far, and Amelia finally discovers the truth about George. Will either of them ever recover?