A man’s search for his missing brother on Cyprus leads him into a web of conspiracy, mythology, and murder.
Following the suspicious death of his brother, David Collier (Peter McEnery) travels to Cyprus to attend to the estate. He quickly discovers that his brother’s demise was no accident and that he has inherited a dangerous and complex mystery. His investigation draws the attention of several powerful local figures, including the enigmatic Helene (Alexandra Bastedo), the sinister Charalambos (Stefan Gryff), and the imposing tycoon Basileos (Brian Blessed). With the help of Inspector Dimas (Godfrey James), Collier uncovers a conspiracy rooted in the island’s history, a plot connected to the cult of the goddess Aphrodite.
This serial was the third in writer Michael J. Bird’s unofficial trilogy of Mediterranean-set thrillers, following The Lotus Eaters and Who Pays the Ferryman?. The production made extensive use of its Cypriot locations, grounding the increasingly fantastical plot in a tangible, sun-drenched landscape. True to Bird’s signature style, the story weaves ancient mythology into a contemporary thriller plot, constructing an intricate puzzle where modern greed collides with the power of the old gods. The narrative’s strength is its fusion of suspense and atmosphere, turning the island itself into a character in the unfolding drama.
Broadcast: BBC One, 8 Episodes, 3 January – 21 February 1979
Written by: Michael J. Bird
Directors: Terence Williams, Viktors Ritelis
Producer: Andrew Osborn
Music: George Kotsonis
Main Cast: Peter McEnery (David Collier), Alexandra Bastedo (Helene), Stefan Gryff (Charalambos), Paul Maxwell (Hellman), Brian Blessed (Basileos), Godfrey James (Inspector Dimas), William Wilde (Eric Morrison), Carmen Gomez (Maria), Tony Doyle (Martin Preece), Ray Jewers (Olsen), Karl Held (Travis)
