Anne Lister

**Anne Lister** is the main character in the first and second series of the BBC historical drama ***Gentleman Jack***. She is portrayed by Suranne Jones.

## Background

She is a landowner and loves to travel. She is seen as masculine by most people that know her, and there are many rumours about her sexuality. Because she is independently wealthy she has no need to marry a man and plans to marry a woman.

## Personality

Anne Lister is a force of nature. She’s fearless, charismatic, and determined to do things her own way. Anne cuts an unusual figure around Halifax, dressed head to toe in masculine black. As a landowner, industrialist and female in nineteenth century Yorkshire, she defies every convention of the society she lives in. She’s an efficient landlord and runs rings around her coal mining rivals. Her romantic ambitions are similarly ahead of their time; true to her God-given nature, Anne plans to marry a woman.

## Physical Description

Anne Lister is typically seen wearing an ankle-length skirt with a blouse and waistcoat, which contrasts with other women in the show who are almost always seen wearing dresses. She also tends to wear a top hat and has her hair in a bun. In particular, she has two rolls of hair on each side of her face, which is a style typically associated with men’s hair.

At certain events, e.g. the queen of Denmark’s birthday ball, we see her wear evening gowns and style her hair in different and more elaborate ways that involve feathers and other accessories. While travelling, she often wears her hair in a simple ponytail.

Her primary choice of colour is black, on account of her being in mourning since a romantic partner got married to someone else in 1816. After taking the sacrament with Ann at the end of season 1, we begin to see her wear other colours, too, such as navy and grey.

## Relationships

### Ann Walker

Anne Lister met Ann Walker ten years ago prior to the start of the series. She wasn't very impressed with the then nineteen year old girl but upon meeting her again is intrigued by the fact that the young woman is obviously in love with her.  Following her heartbreak via her friend Vere Hobart Anne decides to pursue the wealthy young heiress romantically.

## Appearances

 **Appears**
 "**Let's Have Another Look at Your Past Perfect**":
 **Appears**

 **Appears**
 "**A Lucky and Narrow Escape**":
 **Appears**

## Quotes

* “Whoa!” Anne Lister’s first line as she stops the High Flyer in Halifax. I Was Just Passing
* “I’ve been an Icarus. I’ve flown too near the sun.. and now I crash back to Earth at Shibden, shabby little Shibden… And my shabby little family.” Anne's first internal monologue. I Was Just Passing
* "Miss Walker. I've heard so much about you lately. How are you?" Anne's first line to Miss Walker . I Was Just Passing

## Trivia

* Anne's Uncle James left her the Shibden estate in his will instead of leaving it to her father. I Was Just Passing
* Born April 3rd 1791, died September 22 1840.
* Anne dissected a baby once in Paris. It was dead. I Just Went There to Study Anatomy
* Her brother Sam drowned in Ireland at age twenty while serving as a solider. I Just Went There to Study Anatomy
* She is 41 years old at the beginning of the series. Oh Is That What You Call It?
* Owns and operates two pistols. A Lucky and Narrow Escape

## See Also

William Priestley • Mariana Lawton • Elizabeth Sutherland • Suzannah Washington • Dr Kenny • Mr AbbottCaptain Sutherland • Elizabeth Sutherland • James Mackenzie • Mary Sowden • Alf Sowden • Amy SowdenSam Sowden •