''A Statement of Affairs'' is a three-part British television psychological thriller, written by

Eric Deacon Eric Cecil Deacon (born 25 May 1950 in Oxford) is an English actor and writer perhaps best known for his role in the 1985 film ''A Zed & Two Noughts'', directed by Peter Greenaway, in which he acted alongside his brother Brian. He trained as a ...

and directed by

Colin Gregg Colin Gregg (born 10 January 1947) is a British film and television director, editor and photographer. His work includes the films ''To the Lighthouse'' (1983), ''Lamb'' (1985), and ''We Think the World of You'' (1988). He has also directed episodes ...

, that first broadcast on ITV for two consecutive nights from 8 to 9 March 1993. The series stars

Frances Barber Frances Barber (née Brookes, born 13 May 1958) is an English actress. She received Olivier Award nominations for her work in the plays '' Camille'' (1985), and ''Uncle Vanya'' (1997). Her film appearances include three collaborations with Gar ...

David Threlfall David John Threlfall (born 12 October 1953) is an English stage, film and television actor and director. He is best known for playing Frank Gallagher in Channel 4's series '' Shameless''. He has also directed several episodes of the show. In A ...

Adrian Dunbar Adrian Dunbar (born 1 August 1958) is a Northern Irish actor, director and singer, known for his television and his theatre work. Dunbar co-wrote and starred in the 1991 film '' Hear My Song'', nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the BA ...

Lesley Manville Lesley Ann Manville (born 12 March 1956) is an English actress known for her frequent collaborations with Mike Leigh, appearing in the films '' Grown-Ups'' (1980), '' High Hopes'' (1988), '' Secrets & Lies'' (1996), ''Topsy-Turvy'' (1999), ''A ...

, Rosalind Bennett and

Dorian Healy Dorian Healy (born 11 February 1962) is a British actor, best known for his role as Capt/Maj Kieran Voce in the award-winning drama series ''Soldier Soldier'' (1993–1994). He conceived and co-wrote the TV series ''Masculine Mescaline'' with ...

as friends Pip, Alan, Adrian, Carol, Sue and Steve, who have been close friends for many years. But when one of them is murdered, hidden secrets from the past begin to emerge. In a pre-broadcast review by ''

The Independent ''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publish ...

'', the series was described as "stylish", with writer James Rampton commenting; "Sporty yuppies who live in penthouse flats and embroil themselves in financial chicanery may seem a bit vieux jeu in the recessionary Nineties. This, however, is the backdrop to Carlton's stylish three-part psychological thriller about friendship foundering. Despite similarities with ''

Thirtysomething ''Thirtysomething'' is an American drama television series created by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz for United Artists Television (under MGM/UA Television) and aired on ABC from September 29, 1987, to May 28, 1991."The 'don't trust any ...

'' (check the acoustic soundtrack) and '' The Big Chill'', this is certainly more substantial than Carlton's last network drama offering, '' Head Over Heels''".

Production

The series was written by Eric Deacon, known for his work on ''

The Bill ''The Bill'' is a British police procedural television series, first broadcast on ITV from 16 August 1983 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, '' Woodentop'', broadcast in August 1983. The programme focused o ...

'' and '' London's Burning''. ''The Independent'' added that; "Deacon, being an actor, has a keen ear for dialogue. avidThrelfall, exasperated by his unreliable car, says he is 'thinking of asking the AA man to be godfather to our next child'."

Plot

Alan, Adrian and Steve have been friends since childhood. All three are happily married: Alan to Carol, Adrian to Pip and Steve to Sue. All three have good, stable jobs and lead carefree existences. But when Steve and Sue's house burns down, Pip offers to put up their children until they can find alternative accommodation. Adrian is unhappy with the situation, which causes a lethal quarrel. The pair exchange harsh words, leading Pip to declare she wants a divorce. Reeling from the argument, she opens her heart to Alan. Later that evening, Pip is found dead and the question arises, was she murdered or did she commit suicide? A further revelation occurs when Pip was discovered to have been pregnant at the time of her death.

Cast

as Pip *

as Alan *

as Adrian *

as Carol * Rosalind Bennett as Sue *

as Steve * Francesca Folan * Mo Sesay

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Statement of Affairs, A 1993 British television series debuts 1993 British television series endings 1990s British drama television series 1990s British television miniseries British thriller television series ITV television dramas Carlton Television Television series by ITV Studios Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios English-language television shows Television shows set in England