Devil’s Whore, The (Channel 4 2008, Andrea Riseborugh, John Simm)

The Devil’s Whore is a mesmerising take on the English Civil War seen through the eyes of Angelica Fanshawe. It is the late 17th century and England is rife with political and religious upheaval and revolution is in the air. Angelica, a well to do aristocratic becomes drawn into the anti-monarchist machinations after being a staunch royalist member of King Charles I’s court. Angelica later finds herself destitute and cast of court onto the streets of a beseiged Oxford.

One of the most important periods of English history is brilliantly brought to life and the real cost of the civil war is made plain by showing the drama through Angelica. Flannery is one of our best writers and the casting is also top notch. Flannery remarked that he had played pretty fast and loose with the details of the war itself (which surprisingly has been little covered by film or TV) though in order to get at the real truth of the subject.

cast
ANDREA RISEBOROUGH as Angelica Fanshawe
JOHN SIMM as Edward Sexby
DOMINIC WEST as Oliver Cromwell
MICHAEL FASSBENDER as Thomas Rainsborough
TOM GOODMAN-HILL as John Lilburne
PETER CAPALDI as King Charles I
MAXINE PEAKE as Elizabeth Lilburne
BEN ALDRIDGE as Harry

crew details
Writers: Martin Brand and Peter Flannery
Producer: Jake Lushington
Executive Producers: Charlie Pattinson, George Faber, Martine Brant, Peter Flannery and Justin Bodle
Director: Marc Munden

production details
Country: UK
Network and Production Companies: Channel 4 – Company Pictures
Duration: 4×80 minute episodes
Aired From: Wednesday 19 November – 10 December 2008 @ 9.00pm