An architect’s return to his coastal hometown reopens old wounds and reawakens a forbidden romance with his widowed sister-in-law.
Architect Nathan (Iain Glen) comes home to care for his terminally ill mother, Hattie (Annette Crosbie), bringing his teenage son Michael (Andrew Lee Potts) with him. The return forces Nathan into close proximity with his sister-in-law, Jackie (Julia Ford), the widow of his late brother. Their shared grief and unresolved history soon reignite a powerful, long-suppressed attraction. The story moves between the present-day emotional drama and flashbacks to their youth, with Russell Tovey as the young Nathan, which gradually reveal the events that have bound the two together since adolescence.
This two-part serial is a quiet, melancholic family drama constructed around a dual timeline. Writer Ashley Pharoah uses the structure to examine how past decisions and unspoken attachments continue to shape adult lives. The narrative avoids melodrama, instead building its story from the subtle interactions between its characters as they grapple with grief, duty, and regret. The production makes effective use of its coastal setting, creating a windswept, atmospheric backdrop that mirrors the characters’ internal turmoil. With strong, understated performances from Iain Glen and Julia Ford, the drama is a character-driven piece about the gravitational pull of a first, defining love.
Broadcast: ITV – Granada, 2 Episodes, 3 September – 4 September 2000
Written by: Ashley Pharoah
Director: Patrick Lau
Producer: Sita Williams
Executive Producers: Susan Hogg, Simon Lewis
Music: Christopher Gunning
Main Cast: Iain Glen (Nathan), Julia Ford (Jackie), Annette Crosbie (Hattie), Frank Windsor (William), Laura Sadler (Cassie), Andrew Lee Potts (Michael), Russell Tovey (Young Nathan), Adam Kotz (Billy), Sheridan Smith (Young Jackie)
