The Politician's Wife

British television series

Juliet Stevenson
Trevor Eve
Ian Bannen
Anton Lesser
Frederick Treves
Minnie Driver

ComposerBarrington PheloungCountry of originUnited KingdomOriginal languageEnglishNo. of series1No. of episodes3ProductionProduction locationEnglandCinematographyTom McDougalEditorAlan JonesRunning time185 minutesOriginal releaseNetworkChannel 4Release16 May (1995-05-16) –
30 May 1995 (1995-05-30)RelatedThe Politician's Husband

The Politician's Wife is a British television political drama broadcast on Channel 4 in 1995, written by Paula Milne, and starring Trevor Eve and Juliet Stevenson. Milne returned to the same themes in her BBC 2 drama miniseries, The Politician's Husband (2013).

Plot

Duncan Matlock (Trevor Eve) is a high-flying politician and Families Minister for the British government, who becomes embroiled in a tabloid scandal as it is discovered that he has been having a 10-month affair with a former escort turned parliamentary researcher (Minnie Driver). Duncan's wife, Flora (Juliet Stevenson), becomes the focus of media attention as her reactions to the revelations are played out. Initially she plays the part of the loyal wife, but as an aide of her husband's, Mark Hollister (Anton Lesser), feeds her details about the affair and various other political scandals that could be made to happen, she begins to sabotage her husband's integrity and reputation through a campaign of leaks and misinformation to the press and Conservative Party stalwarts. After a series of increasingly sensational and damaging stories in the press, her husband is forced to resign in humiliation. The last episode closes with the results of the by-election being announced on TV. Flora Matlock wins with the support of her party, whilst her husband is exiled to a minor post in Belgium.

Cast and characters

Juliet Stevenson as Flora Matlock, Duncan's loyal wife and mother to his children, Paul and Joanna. After the revelation of his affair, Flora begins to plan her revenge.
Trevor Eve as Duncan Matlock, Tory MP, Minister for the Family and Flora's husband.
Ian Bannen as Sir Donald Frazier
Anton Lesser as Mark Hollister, Ministerial Advisor to Duncan Matlock, who hides his sexuality for fear of stereotypical comments from Duncan.
Frederick Treves as Clive Woodley, Flora's father. He hides the true facts of Duncan's affair from his daughter, but not to spare the emotional impact, only to ensure Flora's relationship with Duncan continues to benefit his political career.
Minnie Driver as Jennifer Caird, a Parliament Researcher, who has a degree and used to be an escort, who has an affair with Duncan Matlock.
Veronica Clifford as Veronica Weston, a member of the Conservative Christian Wives Association
Diana Fairfax as Rosalind Clegg, Vice Chairman of the Carlingham Conservative Association

Reception

The show won Best Serial Drama at the 1996 British Academy Film Awards,^[1] and Best International Drama at the 1995 Emmy Awards.^[2] It received a positive review in the New York Times, which praised Stevenson and Eve's performances.^[3]

Home media

The Politician's Wife was released on DVD by Acorn Media UK in August 2011.

The Politician's Husband

A companion series by Milne, The Politician's Husband, is a three-episode British television miniseries, first shown on BBC Two between 25 April and 9 May 2013.^[4]

References

^ "BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
^ "International Emmy nominations unveiled". Variety. 5 November 1995.
^ O'Connor, John J. (6 January 1996). "TELEVISION REVIEW;Hating The Sin. Hating A Sinner More". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
^ Gilbert, Gerard (25 April 2013). "Sex, lies and Parliament: What happens when the woman is on top in a power couple?". The Independent. Retrieved 24 May 2024.