Bristol in 1787 is booming, from its stinking docks to its elegant new houses. Josiah Cole (Warren Clarke), a small dockside trader, is prepared to gamble everything to join the big players of the city. But he needs ready cash and a well-connected wife.
An arranged marriage to Frances Scott (Emma Fielding) – an orphan in the care of her titled aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Scott (Simon Williams and Jenny Agutter) – is a mutually convenient solution.
Trading her social contacts for Josiah’s protection, Frances enters the world of the Bristol merchants and finds her life and fortune dependent on the respectable trade of sugar, rum and slaves.
Josiah introduces Frances to his trade, giving her the responsibility of teaching a handful of slaves English and social etiquette so that they may serve as maids and footmen in the prosperous households of Bristol.
Among the slaves is the educated and charismatic Mehuru (Ariyon Bakare), who refuses to accept his new, Anglicised name of Moses.
Lonely in her new life, married to a boorish and uneducated husband with whom she has little in common, Frances finds herself increasingly drawn to Mehuru, and he to her.
But tensions are mounting, and Mehuru and the other slaves are prepared to risk everything for their freedom.
Mehuru (Moses)
Ariyon Bakare Matthew
Junior Laniyan Frances Cole
Emma Fielding Sarah Cole
Anna Massey Josiah Cole
Warren Clarke Sophia Snelling
Claire Huckle Lady Scott
Jenny Agutter John Bates
Grahame Fox Lord Scott
Simon Williams Cook
Doreen Andrew Brown
Cait Davis Jack Kedge
Campbell Morrison Bates’ Man
Francis Crampsie Dr Hadley
Ralph Brown Luke
Anton Rice Elizabeth
Jenny Jules Stephen Waring
Matthew Marsh Mark
Clinton Blake Mr Woolwick
David Foxxe Captain Smedley
Paul McNeilly Mrs Waring
Dinah Stabb Naomi
Makaela Alexander Mr Shore
Geoffrey Greenhill Mary
Kaddy Faal Sam Fielding
Richardson Morgan MC
Richard Dixon Mrs Shore
Abigail McKern Sir Charles Fairley
Richard Briers Samuel
Lloyd Notice Rachel
Tanya Moodie Ruth
Sainabou Manneh
Trading her social contacts for Josiah’s protection, Frances enters the world of the Bristol merchants and finds her life and fortune dependent on the respectable trade of sugar, rum and slaves.
