As opposed to the standard of videotape for studio-based scenes and film for location-based scenes, the series was shot entirely on 16mm color film.
Masterpiece Theatre: Bleak House (1985) was nominated for BAFTA's Best Drama Series, Best Film Cameraman, and Best Film Sound. It won BAFTAs for Best Makeup (Lisa Westcott), Best Costume Design (Michael Burdle) and Best Design (Tim Harvey).
The series was the second adaptation of Masterpiece Theatre: Bleak House (1985) by the BBC (the first being in 1959). It ran for eight episodes and starred Diana Rigg as Lady Dedlock, with Denholm Elliott in the role of John Jarndyce.