Episode 1
Drama about the notorious Profumo Affair. In 1960s London, model Christine Keeler deals with an explosive love triangle, while War Minister John Profumo seeks press attention.
London, winter 1962. Britain is gripped by the Cuban Missile Crisis, and a series of sex and spy scandals have rocked the British government. Short of money, working-class model Christine Keeler has returned to stage-dancing in Sohoβs famous cabaret clubs. Christine lives with her West Indian boyfriend Johnny in a racially tense Notting Hill, and confides in her best friend Mandy Rice-Davies.
It has been over a year since Christineβs secret affair with the married, middle-aged Conservative minister of war, John Profumo. But now Christine is shaken by violent harassment by a West Indian stalker, βLuckyβ Gordon, and when Johnny fails to protect her, she considers refuge with her mentor, socialite Dr Stephen Ward. However, Ward is under MI5 surveillance for entertaining a handsome Russian diplomat, and amid delusions of grandeur, he tries to use his establishment links to secure emergency nuclear talks between the US and Russia.
At the same time, Profumo tries to raise his profile to mark the end of UK conscription, and Christine recalls the beginnings of their infamous affair: the fateful weekend they met at twilight by a country manor swimming pool.
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Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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00:03Stranger Cole
Ruff and Tuff
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00:18Dakota Staton
Knock Me A Kiss
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Christine Keeler | Sophie Cookson |
| Stephen Ward | James Norton |
| Mandy Rice-Davies | Ellie Bamber |
| Valerie Profumo | Emilia Fox |
| John Profumo | Ben Miles |
| Bill Astor | Michael Maloney |
| Redmayne | Tim McInnerny |
| Eugene Ivanov | Visar Vishka |
| Lucky Gordon | Anthony Welsh |
| Writer | Amanda Coe |
| Director | Andrea Harkin |
| Producer | Rebecca Ferguson |
| Production Company | Ecosse Films |
| Production Company | Great Meadow Productions |
Broadcast
- Sun 29 Dec 2019 21:00
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