Stonehouse: Series Premiere (ITV Monday 2 January 2023)

Series Premiere: Drama with Matthew Macfadyen as the ambitious British politician who devises a crazy scheme to vanish in 1974. The astonishing true story serves as inspiration.

Miami, 1974. The head of John Stonehouse (Matthew Macfadyen) bobs in the sea. He notices his clothes folded up as he turns to face the beach. The turning point is at hand.

John Stonehouse’s political career is thriving in the late 1960s. He obtains cabinet positions in aviation and then as postmaster general under the direction of Prime Minister Harold Wilson (Kevin R. McNally). He has three children and is happily married to Barbara Stonehouse (Keeley Hawes).

Nevertheless, even as he achieves these victories, Stonehouse is also developing a number of covert alliances, first with the Czech spymaster Alexander Marek (Igor Grabuzov), and later with his new secretary Sheila Buckley (Emer Heatley). Stonehouse is more than willing to exchange knowledge for cash when Marek makes him an offer. Although his relationship with Sheila is more natural, it also takes more spinning of the plates.

In addition, he generously spends his newly acquired fortune in the theatre. They relocate to a luxurious new home against Barbara’s preferences, and Stonehouse purchases an unnecessary sports car.

Stonehouse’s transformation into the scapegoat when Labour loses power after the 1970 election proves to be a watershed event. Wilson, Marek, and the media have abandoned him. His dubious investments are being investigated, and there are even rumours of fraud circulating. He’s starting to lose hope.

He devises a covert plot to escape his precarious situation, inspired by The Day of the Jackal, which uses a deceased constituent and fake passports. The ideal opportunity arises on a ministrerial trip to Miami, but can he stand to leave his family and the real John Stonehouse behind?

Airdate: Monday 2 January 2023 at 9.00pm on ITV.

Featured Image Credit: ITV