Drama serial A Year In Provence saw executive Peter Mayle and his wife Annie give up the rat race to live in a farmhouse in France. Having been one of the most hyped by the BBC shows ever, A Year in Provence, based on the massive best seller by Peter Mayle, was always going to find it tough going with the TV critics of the day but luckily the viewing audience made up their own minds, some 14.5 million of them.
We’ve all surely thought about getting out of the rat race and finding that perfectly idyllic unspoilt spot, maybe to write that novel you’ve always been convinced you’ve had inside you or maybe producing the perfect wine out of your own vineyard; This is just what Peter and Anna Mayle (John Thaw and Lindsay Duncan) decide to do, quitting their high pressure lives in London for a gorgeous village in Provence in Southern France.
Of course it’s not all fine wine, sumptuous food and rural living as the Mayles soon find out, having to deal with everything from the local truffle hunting season (so expensive are the truffles that even the Mafia decide to get involved) to understanding the sometimes eccentric ways of the locals.
Gorgeously filmed on location in Southern France.
production details
UK / BBC1 / 12×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 28 February – 16 May 1993
Writer: Michael Sadler / Book: Peter Mayle / Producer: Ken Riddington / Director: David Tucker
cast
JOHN THAW as Peter Mayle
LINDSAY DUNCAN as Annie Mayle
JEAN-PIERRE DELAGE as Colombani
BERNARD SPIEGAL as Marcel
JO DOUMERG as Amadee Clement
