Daniel Deronda is sensitive and charming, the illegitimate son of an aristocrat, haunted by the secrets that shroud his birth. Beautiful, vivacious Gwendolen Harleth is a gambler and short on cash. When they meet at the roulette table, sparks fly. But above all, Gwendolen needs money, and the icy aristrocrat Henleigh Grandcourt is more than happy to provide. As her situation becomes more and more oppressive, she turns to Daniel for help-- only to discover his involvement with the young Jewish singer Mirah Lapidoth. Torn between his attraction to Gwendolen and his passion for Mirah and the plight of her people, Daniel is forced to look at his own mysterious past and find out who he really is-- and who he wants to be.