Period drama series Brief Encounters takes us back to Sheffield in the early 1980’s when Ann Summers demonstrations and party nights were becoming all the rage. Married mother of one Steph decides to take a chance and start selling the saucy lingerie and adult toys that the company makes by holding demonstration evenings for family and friends. Roping in new friend Nita, Steph is determined to make a success of her new career.
Ann Summers offered up a genuine revolution in the early 80’s as star Penelope Wilton says in the Radio Times “Their financial situation changes through these parties. They become much more independent. Also the dominance of the male in the family… there’s a different balance of power,.”
Main series star Sophie Rundle also made a valid point about this positive new empowerment for women in the same interviewing saying What they did was come along and say, ‘It’s okay, you’re allowed to enjoy sex. You’re allowed to be interested in it. This is for you, this isn’t for some smutty man in the raincoat outside the sex shop on the street corner. This is for you and your relationship and to feel empowered and good about yourself’.”
production details
UK / ITV / 6×60 minute episodes / Broadcast from 4 July 2016
Writers: Fay Rusling, Oriane Messina / Producer: Jo Willett / Executive Producers: Fay Rusling, Oriane Messina, Arabella McGuigan, Danielle Lux / Director: Jill Robertson
cast
Sophie Rundle as Steph
Angela Griffin as Nita
Sharon Rooney as Dawn
Penelope Wilton as Pauline
Peter Wight as Brian
Karl Davies as Terry
Ben Bailey Smith as Johnny
Will Merrick as Russell
Chloe Pirrie as Hellie
Felicity Montagu as Joan
Pippa Haywood as Bunny
