Young David Copperfield is born to his recently widowed mother and almost immediately disowned by his only living relative Betsey Trotwood, who had wanted Mrs. Copperfield to have a girl. David has an enjoyable life with his mother and their cook-servant, Clara Pegotty. When he is seven however, he is sent off with Peggotty to visit her family at the seaside and returns that his mother has remarried, to the cruel Mr. Murdstone. He is almost immediately sent off to school, yet again a cold and intimidating place where he meets an older student, James Steerforth. He is summoned home to be told that his mother has died.

With his mother now dead, David Copperfield id put to work by his cruel stepfather, Mr. Murdstone. Rather than working in the counting house however, he is put to work cleaning empty wine bottles. He is introduced to Mr. Micawber and moves into one of the spare rooms. Micawber however is in dire financial straits and soon flees. As tension rise, David flees traveling a long distance to reach his Aunt Betsey Trotter. After some consideration, she decides to let him stay and even rebuffs an attempt by Mr. Murdstone to retrieve him. She sends him off to a good school where he boards with solicitor Mr. Wickfield and his daughter Agnes. He also meets Mr. Wickfield's law clerk Uriah Heep and again comes across Mr. Micawber. As a young man, he once again meets his old classmate, James Steerage.

Having run into his old friend James Steerforth, David meets his family and in turn invites Steerforth to accompany him to the seaside to visit the Peggotys. Seaforth is well received and they learn that Ham Peggoty and Emily are engaged to be married. Steerforth seems to have taken a particular interest in the girl however. David takes a major step in life when he decides to enter the legal profession as a proctor. He is apprenticed to Mr. Spenlow, thanks to the generosity of his Aunt Betsey, and soon has spacious rooms in London. He has the pleasure of renewing his acquaintance with Mr. Micawber. He is distressed however to learn that Uriah Heep may soon become Mr. Wickfield's partner.

Original Air Date—22 December 1974 Ham is heartbroken when he learns that Emily has run off with Steerforth. Dan Peggoty and David are angry to hear that Steerforth is involved and David blames himself. Steerforth's mother offers little hope that her son will make a lady of her given their difference in class. David begins to spend time with Dora Spenlow and is quite happy in her company. He tells her he loves her and they are soon engaged. She feels however that they cannot marry until he advances in his career. Aunt Betsey arrives in London with the news that she is destitute having made an unwise investment. As a result he asks Mr. Spenlow to release him from his articles and while Dora says she will love him rich or poor, it is clear she is unprepared to lead a life without money. Micawber now works for Uriah Heep but Heep's expressed interest in Agnes Wickfield results in a severe reaction from Mr. Wickfield. David decides to pursue a career as a law reporter and as a writer.

Dora and David are now married and are going through the normal adjustment of married life. He would like her to exercise greater authority over the household, but she doesn't feel very capable and displays little common sense. David's Aunt Betsey has an unexpected visitor when her long-absent husband returns. Meanwhile, David learns that Emily has run away after Steerforth abandoned her. Mrs. Steerforth makes it clear that she will do anything to protect her son. Dan Peggotty is convinced Emily is alive and likely hiding in London. A chance encounter with Miss Dartle leads David straight to her. Dan thinks their future lies in the colonies and makes plans to emigrate. Micawber discovers Heep's treachery and arranges a confrontation in the presence of David, Aunt Betsey, Agnes Wickfield and others.

Dora is seriously ill and has a special request of Agnes Wickfield. David Copperfield is soon a young widower however and not sure how he can go forward with his life. He decides to go away for awhile. Tommy Traddles has good news for them all. Thanks to Micawber, Mr. Wickfield's situation is resolved though little money is left but Aunt Betsey has her funds returned to her. Micawber decides to emigrate to Australia and travels with the Peggotys. Ham Peggoty is found dead on the beach having tried to rescue a man during a terrible storm. The man turns out to be James Steerforth. After some years abroad, David returns to London, a successful author. He visits Agnes and they are soon married.