Period drama serial Tender is the Night, based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was one of the few non original pieces Dennis Potter was involved with.
This high budget six parter told the highly tense and knife-edge married life of a US couple during the 1920’s. It was said to be highly biographical of Fitzgerald’s own life with wife Zeldi.
production details
UK / BBC2 / 6×55 minute episodes / Broadcast 23 September – 28 October 1985
Writer: Dennis Potter / Novel: F.Scott Fitzgerald / Music: Richard Rodney Bennett / Executive Producer: Jonathan Powell / Producer: Betty Willingale / Director: Robert Knights
cast
PETER STRAUSS as Dick Diver
MARY STEENBERGEN as Nicole
JOHN HEARD as Ate North
SEAN YOUNG as Rosemary Hoyte
Edward Asner as Devereaux Warren
Jurgen Brugger as Franz Gregorovius
Kate Harper as Baby Warren
Piper Laurie as Mrs Speers
Joris Stuyck as Tommy Barban
Joanna David as Hannah
THE EPISODES
1. 1917 (23 Sep 85)
2. 1925 (30 Sep 85)
3. 1925 (7 Oct 85)
4. 1925 (14 Oct 85)
5. 1928 (21 Oct 85)
6. 1929 (28 Oct 85)
