later in the novel, associated in business with David's employer Mr. Spenlow. Near the end of the novel, the adult David learns from an old acquaintance that Murdstone, despite Aunt Betsey's scolding, reverted to his old ways, married a rich young woman and "since the sister came to help, the brother and sister between them have nearly reduced her to a state of imbecility". Film and television portrayals Being one of the central antagonists of the novel, Murdstone has appeared in every adaptation of David Copperfield to date. In the 1935 film version, he is portrayed by Basil Rathbone. In the 1956 BBC adaptation, he was played by William Devlin. No recordings of the production are known to exist. In the 1966 BBC adaptation, he was played by Richard Leech. Only one episode to feature him (episode 3, 'A Long Journey') is known to exist. In the 1969 version, he is played by James Donald. In this version, Murdstone does not bother to search for David after he leaves for Dover, thus his argument with Betsey Trotwood is omitted. In the 1974 BBC TV series he is played by Gareth Thomas. This depiction is fairly faithful to the book, although he does not appear again after his scolding by Betsey Trotwood (Patience Collier). In the 1986 BBC TV series he is played by Oliver Cotton. In the 1993 version, he is portrayed by Michael York. In the 1999 BBC mini-series, Murdstone is portrayed by Trevor Eve. In this version, his role plays out fairly closely to the novel, only, like the 1974 version, he does not appear again after his scolding by Betsy Trotwood (Maggie Smith). In the 2000 British-American television film, he is portrayed by Anthony Andrews, who had played Steerforth in the 1974 BBC TV series. Murdstone appears much later in the film, where David is an adult and catches him dining with Jane and another young woman. David furiously confronts Murdstone and openly accuses him of murdering his mother. Murdstone denies it and challenges David to prove it in court, but David instead promises to write about it and destroy Murdstone's image once and for all, avenging his mother and ensuring that the Murdstones will never snatch away another family fortune again. In the 2019 version, he is portrayed by Darren Boyd. In the 1965 Italian Tv version of the David Copperfield novel, Mr. Murdstone is portrayed