Leeds housewife Alison Braithwaite (Amanda Redman) is gifted a ticket for the Euro Lottery for her fortieth birthday and unexpectedly wins £38 million.
Fearing the effects this life-changing event would have on her family – husband David (Peter Davison) and daughters Virginia (Sarah Smart), Sarah (Sarah Churm) and Charlotte (Keeley Fawcett) – Alison keeps it a secret.
She establishes a fake name and sets up a charity to help people through her good fortune. This laudable enterprise is doomed to failure, though, and by series two, the Braithwaites are installed in a country mansion.
Sally Wainwright’s scripts explore the effects of sudden wealth on an already dysfunctional family and how it emphasises the fractures already present.
David has been having an affair with his secretary; Virginia is obsessed with neighbour Megan (Julie Graham); Sarah embarks on a series of ill-advised relationships; while Charlotte is a quiet loner.
Over the space of four series, the family experiences divorce, pregnancies, battles with the tabloids, a damehood for Alison and much, much more. Relationships evolve, end, are reconciled or terminated in bitter acrimony, but Wainwright’s subversive humour is ever present.
The series quickly became a major player in the ITV schedules – something the network recognised, recommissioning the show to the surprise of many (including the cast).
Redman and Davison proved their skill as TV leads, Davison especially showing his underrated range.
Alison Braithwaite
Amanda Redman David Braithwaite
Peter Davison Virginia Braithwaite
Sarah Smart Sarah Braithwaite
Sarah Churm Charlotte Braithwaite
Keeley Fawcett Denise Skidmore
Ishia Bennison Phil Skidmore
Damian Zuk Colin Skidmore
Garry Cooper Megan Hartnoll
Julie Graham Mike Hartnoll
Kevin Doyle Elaine Fishwick
Judy Holt Tamsin
Lucy Whelan Marion Riley
Sylvia Syms Pauline Farnell
Lynda Bellingham Kieran
Jonathan Le Billon Audrey Crowther
Hazel Douglas Graham Braithwaite
Ray Stevenson
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She establishes a fake name and sets up a charity to help people through her good fortune. This laudable enterprise is doomed to failure, though, and by series two, the Braithwaites are installed in a country mansion.
