Episode 1: It is 1960s England, homosexuality is illegal and the politician Jeremy Thorpe begins a whirlwind affair with a young stable hand, Norman Scott. But when the relationship turns sour and Jeremy’s career goes from strength to strength, Norman becomes a secret that Jeremy is desperate to hide…
Episode Cast:
Hugh Grant (Jeremy Thorpe), Ben Whishaw (Norman Scott), Alex Jennings (Peter Bessell), Monica Dolan (Marion Thorpe), Jonathan Hyde (David Napley), Jason Watkins (Emlyn Hooson), Patricia Hodge (Ursula Thorpe), Naomi Battrick (Diana Stainton), David Bamber (Lord Arran), Susan Wooldridge (Countess Of Arran), John Bett (Lord Kilmuir), Nicholas Blane (Norman Van De Vater), Michelle Fox (Lyn), Daryl McCormack (Luke Mackenzie), Ben Moor (BBC Radio Interviewer), Anthony O’Donnell (Leo Abse), Alice Orr-Ewing (Caroline Alpass), Chris Ashby (Messenger), Morgan Watkins (Mike Steele), Andrew French (Sergeant At Arms), Nick Malinowski (Returning Officer)
Writer: Russell T Davies / Director: Stephen Frears
Airdate: 20 May 2018 on BBC
Series: A Very English Scandal Season 1 Episode 1
Show Info: It’s the late 1960s, homosexuality has only just been legalised and Jeremy Thorpe, the leader of the Liberal party, has a secret he’s desperate to hide. It wasn’t until the late 1970’s that the story hit the newspapers and then it was open season.