Beggar Bride, The (UK BBC-1 1997, Keeley Hawes, Joe Duttine)

Keeley Hawes stars in captivating rags-to-riches drama The Beggar Bride told in two parts and originally broadcast on BBC One in 1997. The drama was written by Lizzie Mickery and was based on the novel by Gillian White.

Young, beautiful and living on the breadline in a rundown apartment with feckless husband Billy (Joe Duttine) and their sickly child, Ange Harper (Keeley Hawes) decides to take matters into her own hands in order to save her family from the poverty trap. She hits on the perfect plan after spotting a newspaper feature on the once divorced, once widowed lord, Sir Fabian Ormerod (Nicholas Jones). She plots to marry the man, then hit him for a massive divorce settlement. And so the stunning Ms Angela Harper is born – a successful lingerie buyer with an alluring independent streak.

Angela does her homework well and a ‘chance’ meeting at his beloved opera soon seals Sir Fabian’s fate. A whirlwind romance and a double life ensue, as grand weekends at the Ormerod country mansion are followed by cozy reunions with Billy in their Wellington Garden apartment. Storm clouds are soon on the horizon as Angela desperately tries to keep her secret life hidden.

production details
UK / BBC One / 2×75 minute episodes / Broadcast 1997

Writer: Lizzie Mickery / Novel: Gillian White / Producer: Kate Harwood / Director: Diarmuid Lawrence

cast
KEELEY HAWES as Angela Harper
JOE DUTTINE as Billy Harper
NICHOLAS JONES as Sir Fabian Ormerod
CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS as Honesty Ormerod
JEAN ANDERSON as Lady Alice
DIANA KENT as Ffiona Ormerod