Foundation, The (ITV 1977-1978, Lynette Davies, Bernard Lee)

In The Foundation 30 something Davinia Prince is married to the highly successful businessman Don Prince, they have two children and live a life of luxury. Davinia though is bored, lonely and contemplating divorce. However when Don dies suddenly she finds a new lease of life taking over the running of his business interests.

Around this time the TV Times was including a short story that set the scene for various new series, Rumpole of the Bailey was one and The Foundation was another. The story added plenty of background to the characters and their motivations for perhaps behaving as they do in the series.

Lynette Davies was relatively unknown at the time with mostly guest appearances in shows such as Raffles and The Ghosts of Motley Hall on her credits list. She was one of over 50 actresses auditioned for the role. This was her highest profile role and she died in 1993, aged 45, of drowning (ruled as suicide by the coroner).

The supporting cast was excellent, Keith Barron plays Don (briefly of course), Bernard Lee is Davinia’s father-in-law  Eddie; William Gaunt is accountant Gareth Brown who would like to offer Davinia more than financial advice. Meanwhile Geoffrey Whitehead plays Ronnie Bartlett whose ambitions perhaps do stretch to taking over the company himself. A young Patsy Kensit played Davinia’s daughter Emma.

production details
UK / ITV-ATV / 26×60 minute episode / Broadcast 8 July 1977 – 27 October 1978

Creator: Richard Gregson / Theme Music: Jack Parnell, David Lindup / Producer: John Cooper

cast
Lynette Davies as Davinia Prince
Bernard Lee as Eddie Prince
John Barron as Sir Clive Farmer
Peter Copley as Doctor Richard Montagu
William Gaunt as Gareth Brown
Geoffrey Whitehead as Ronnie Bartlett
Gerald Sim as Terry Bickles
Andrew Dove as Paul Prince
Patsy Kensit as Emma Prince
Helen Cleaves as Gwynneth
Anthea Holloway as Annie
Ellis Dale as Geoffrey Tatum
Fulton Mackay as Sam Wyatt (season two)

THE EPISODES
SEASON ONE 8 July – 2 September 1977
1. ACCIDENT
2. FINESSE
3. PRIORITIES
4. FAMILIES
5. INHERITANCE
6. INTUITION
7. LOVE
8. MARRIAGE
9. SEPARATION

SEASON TWO 30 June – 27 October 1978
1. BUSINESS NOT QUITE AS USUAL
2. WINDS OF CHANGE
3. A TROJAN HORSE
4. VALUES AND VALUATIONS
5. POWER PLAY
6. POWER WITHOUT GLORY
7. PARTIAL ECLIPSE
8. EXIT LINE
9. BLOODY VENICE
10. BEAR RAID
11. ALLIES
12. PRESSURE
13. TACTICS
14. COMMITMENTS
15. PARANOIA
16. THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
17. CONCLUSIONS