Ruth Rendell Mysteries: May And June (ITV 1997, Phoebe Nicholls, Christine Kavanagh)

In May And June Two sisters have a strange relationship with May believing that Junes luxurious lifestyle should, by rights, be hers. May had always felt that June, three years younger, was the sister her parents cared for most. June is the one who gets the chance to go to university and express herself whilst May is working in a children’s home but she thinks her luck has changed when she meets solicitor William Symonds, engaged to be married to William, May is devastated when June steals him from her.

Quite the mood piece, much of the story has no mystery element at all and is more concerned with the dynamic between the two sisters, May has plenty to feel bitter about but it does make her somewhat unlikeable and overall the pace is a little flat. Nice twist at the end though.

production details
UK / ITV – Meridian – Blue Heaven / 2×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 7-14 February 1997

Writer: Ken Blakeson / Story: Ruth Rendell / Music: Brian Bennett / Production Design: Christine Ruscoe / Executive Producer: Graham Benson / Producer: Neil Zeiger / Director: James Cellan Jones

Series: The Ruth Rendell Mysteries Season 11 Story 5 Episodes 6 and 7

cast
CHRISTINE KAVANAGH as June Symonds
PHOEBE NICHOLLS as May Thrace
ALBERT WELLING as Mr Thrace
GABRIELLE REIDY as Mrs Thrace
JESSICA FOX as May (aged 13)
CLAIRE SZEKERES as June (aged 10)
TINA HOBLEY as Woman on Train
MICHAEL NARDONE as Mortuary Attendant
CHARLOTTE MASON APPS as May (aged 3)
LLOYD McGUIRE as Man on Train
WILLIAM SCOTT MASSON as William Symonds
ELIZABETH ASHLEY as Margery Lipton
ALISTAIR FINDLAY as Dr Kendrew
JULIAN WADHAM as John Dyson
STUART FOX as Vicar
SALLY SANDERS as Landlady
LALITA AHMED as Asian Mother
ANISHA GANGOTRA, DHUPRAL PATEL as Asian Girls
JOHN MORENO as Taxi Driver
GUVVY as the Dog