"A Very British Scandal" features good performances from its two well-matched leads, Claire Foy and Paul Bettany, as Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, and Ian, Duke of Argyll. The couple had a volatile union in the '50s and '60s, plagued by heavy drinking, drugs (on his part), violence, debts, lies, forgery and copious incidents of infidelity. This three-part series delves into their tragic marriage and highly publicized divorce trial, including the devastating impact on them and their families (they had five children between them). This high-budget production delivers an accurate portrayal of their glamorous lifestyle of Scottish castles, London townhouses and private clubs, elegant restaurants and bars, private parties and speedboat jaunts, but also how bleak, painful and dismal a bad marriage truly is -- and how destructive to everyone involved. The miniseries also shows how Margaret was absolutely vilified by the chauvinistic society of the time for having affairs both before and after her marriage, while her aristocratic husband was mostly given a pass.
"A Very British Scandal" follows "A Very English Scandal," about MP Jeremy Thorpe's trial for attempted murder, and I thought the previous series was superior, but this one is interesting for delving into the social mores of the time period and how much things have changed. Foy and Bettany are both terrific in their not particularly sympathetic parts, but it's an interesting slice of 20th century history.
"A Very British Scandal" follows "A Very English Scandal," about MP Jeremy Thorpe's trial for attempted murder, and I thought the previous series was superior, but this one is interesting for delving into the social mores of the time period and how much things have changed. Foy and Bettany are both terrific in their not particularly sympathetic parts, but it's an interesting slice of 20th century history.