The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (TV series)

The Life and Loves of a She-Devil
GenreDrama
Based onThe Life and Loves of a She-Devil by Fay Weldon
Written byTed Whitehead
Directed byPhilip Saville
Starring
Theme music composerPeter Filleul
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Running time60 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC Two
Release8 October (1986-10-08) –
29 October 1986 (1986-10-29)

The Life and Loves of a She-Devil is a 1986 British drama serial produced by the BBC and adapted from Fay Weldon's 1983 novel The Life and Loves of a She-Devil. It won four British Academy Television Awards including Best Drama Series.

Plot

The story concerns married couple Ruth and Bobbo, who are on the verge of separating as Bobbo is having an affair with romantic novelist Mary Fisher. After Bobbo leaves Ruth and moves in with Mary, Ruth develops a plan to get her revenge on both of them.[1]

Cast

The cast of the drama includes:[2]

Production

Writing

The adaptation by Ted Whitehead was faithful to the novel with only minor changes from the book.

Locations

It was partly shot at the Belle Tout Lighthouse at Beachy Head near Eastbourne in East Sussex.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Episode 1"Philip SavilleTed Whitehead8 October 1986 (1986-10-08)
Ruth is devastated when she realizes that her husband Bobbo has been cheating on her, and when he finally abandons her, and their two children, she decides that she will do anything to get revenge on Bobbo and his mistress, romantic novelist Mary Fisher.
2"Episode 2"Philip SavilleTed Whitehead15 October 1986 (1986-10-15)
Ruth takes on a number of different roles and aliases to get her revenge, including starting to study accountancy, and working in a care home with Mary's mother, and having sex with a lot of different men to desensitize herself.
3"Episode 3"Philip SavilleTed Whitehead22 October 1986 (1986-10-22)
Because Ruth burnt down their family home, Bobbo and Mary have to let Bobbo's two children live with them, which spoils their romantic plans, meanwhile Ruth gets Mary's mother kicked out of her care home, and she moves in to Mary's home as well.
4"Episode 4"Philip SavilleTed Whitehead29 October 1986 (1986-10-29)
Mary realizes that Ruth is targeting her, and the stress and worry is making her sick, so she turns to a priest for help but she doesn't suspect that the priest is in Ruth's thrall. Meanwhile Ruth gets Bobbo sent to jail, and starts to takes over Mary's life and identity.

Awards

Year Award Category Nominated artist/work Result
1987 British Academy Television Awards Best Drama Series Sally Head, Philip Saville Won
Best Actress Julie T. Wallace Nominated
Best Video Lighting John King Won
Best Video Cameraman Mike Winser, John Hawes Won
Best VTR Editor Malcolm Banthorpe, Dave Jervis Won
Best Make Up Elizabeth Rowell Nominated
Best Costume Design Joyce Mortlock Nominated
Best Graphics Michael Graham-Smith Nominated
Best Original Television Music Peter Filleul Nominated
1988 CableACE Awards Writing a Movie or Miniseries Ted Whitehead Won
Actress in a Movie or Miniseries Julie T. Wallace Nominated
Make-Up Elizabeth Rowell Nominated

References

  1. ^ People Magazine: Picks and Pans Review: The Life and Loves of a She Devil
  2. ^ IMdb listing for "The Life and Loves of a She-Devil"
Awards
Preceded by British Academy Television Awards
Best Drama Series or Serial
1987 		Succeeded by