In this lavish historical drama, the lives and loves of the four aristocratic Lennox sisters unfold against the backdrop of 18th-century high society.
The story begins in 1743 and follows the four Lennox sisters, daughters of the Duke of Richmond. The eldest, Caroline (Serena Gordon), defies her parents by eloping with the ambitious politician Henry Fox (Alun Armstrong). The spirited Emily (Geraldine Somerville) marries the Earl of Kildare (Ben Daniels) and dedicates herself to creating a sprawling dynasty in Ireland. The shy Louisa (Anne-Marie Duff) finds happiness in a quieter life, while the youngest and most beautiful, Sarah (Jodhi May), becomes the object of King George III’s affections before embarking on a scandalous affair with Lord Gordon that threatens to ruin her family’s name. Their interconnected lives are framed by the recollections of the elderly Lady Emily (Siân Phillips).
Based on Stella Tillyard’s acclaimed biography, Aristocrats represented a significant turn in the television costume drama. The production moved beyond the male-dominated political narratives of the 18th century to reconstruct history from the viewpoint of its female protagonists. Using the rich personal correspondence of the Lennox sisters as its foundation, the teleplays achieved an unusual intimacy, grounding the grand sweep of historical events in the personal rebellions and private heartbreaks of the four women. The serial’s lavish scale, a co-production between the BBC, Ireland’s RTÉ, and America’s WGBH, was evident in its extensive location filming and detailed design. The entire story is framed by the reminiscences of the elderly Emily, giving the drama a powerful, reflective quality.
Broadcast: BBC One, 6 Episodes, 20 June – 25 July 1999
Written by: Harriet O’Carroll
Based on the book by: Stella Tillyard
Director: David Caffrey
Producers: Christopher Hall, David Snodin
Executive Producers: Kevin Menton, Nigel Warren-Green, Rod Stoneman, Rebecca Eaton, Michael Wearing
Main Cast: Geraldine Somerville (Lady Emily), Serena Gordon (Lady Caroline), Anne-Marie Duff (Lady Louisa), Jodhi May (Lady Sarah), Siân Phillips (Older Lady Emily), Alun Armstrong (Henry Fox), Ben Daniels (Lord Kildare), Andrew Havill, Tom Mullion, Julian Fellowes, Diane Fletcher, John Light
