Maxine Peake (Little Dorrit, Silk) stars in a profoundly moving drama based on the real diaries of Anne Lister, a landowning woman who defied the conventions of 19th century society to live openly as a lesbian. When it is announced that the love of Anne's life Marianna Belcombe will be married to the older and wealthy Charles Lawton, Anne is distraught. And so she begins a string of relationships, most notably with the wealthy heiress Ann Walker. But while Ann is a proud, strong and supportive partner in a time when lesbianism just isn't tolerated, can Anne's feelings for her ever match those she has for Marianna? Revealing a surprising side to the world painted by Jane Austen and the Bront‰s, The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister is an inspiring story of a woman who challenged convention and was determined simply to be herself.