: ''For the American TV series starring
Diana Rigg, see
Diana (American TV series)
''Diana'' is an American sitcom that aired on NBC during the 1973–1974 television season that was created by Leonard Stern, which ran from September 10, 1973 to January 7, 1974. The series was filmed in front of a live studio audience at CBS ...
''.
''Diana'' is a British television drama series first broadcast by the
BBC in 1984. It was adapted by
Andrew Davies from two
R. F. Delderfield
Ronald Frederick Delderfield (12 February 1912 – 24 June 1972) was an English novelist and dramatist, some of whose works have been adapted for television and film.
Biography
Childhood in London and Surrey
Ronald Frederick Delderfield ...
novels.
It follows the intersecting but very different lives of Jan Leigh (
Kevin McNally), a poor but studious young country lad and Diana Gayelorde-Sutton (
Jenny Seagrove), the equally single minded daughter of a rich landowner, from the 1920s through to post-war Britain. The early story revolves around the class mismatch between the pair; the besotted Jan attempts to elevate his status through hard work and the more aloof Diana attempts to keep her affections in check and pursue her own goals.
The story is mainly told from Jan's POV, as Diana comes unexpectedly (and disruptively) back into his life at various points, then departs as unpredictably as she came. A recurrent theme (depicted memorably in the show's animated opening credits sequence) is a pair of
Common Buzzard
The common buzzard (''Buteo buteo'') is a medium-to-large bird of prey which has a large range. A member of the genus ''Buteo'', it is a member of the family Accipitridae. The species lives in most of Europe and extends its breeding range across ...
s they used to see as children, circling each other over a field—coming together to rear young during the breeding season, then parting for a time. Somehow always together, even when separated. Mated for life.
The complete series of ten episodes is available on DVD in the UK through Simply Media.
Episodes
Broadcast Thursday evenings on BBC1 at 9:25pm, except Episode 10, broadcast at 9:35pm. Produced by Ken Riddington.
Main cast:
Kevin McNally,
Jenny Seagrove,
Patsy Kensit,
Harold Innocent,
Mary Morris,
Fulton Mackay,
Jonathan Lynn,
Moray Watson,
Gillian Raine,
Michael Melia &
Gertan Klauber.
References
External links
*
BBC television dramas
1984 British television series debuts
Television shows written by Andrew Davies
1984 British television series endings
1980s British drama television series
English-language television shows
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