"The Ambassador" (1998) TV series 1998-

Creator:

Russell Lewis
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

4 January 1998 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Negotiating a World of Deception, Mistrust and Betrayal

Plot:

Harriet Smith (Pauline Collins), the new British ambassador to Ireland, desperately wants to make her...

Plot Keywords:

Government | Ireland | Anglo Irish Relations | Diplomacy | Family Relationships

Cast

Pauline Collins	...	Harriet Smith (13 episodes, 1998-1999)
Denis Lawson	...	John Stone (12 episodes, 1998-1999)
Owen Roe	...	Minister Kevin Flaherty (11 episodes, 1998-1999)
Tom Connolly	...	Sam Smith (11 episodes, 1998-1999)
William Chubb	...	Stephen Tyler (10 episodes, 1998-1999)
Alison McKenna	...	Jennifer (6 episodes, 1998)
Sara Markland	...	Becky (6 episodes, 1998)
Tim Matthews	...	Nate Smith (6 episodes, 1998)
Sinead Clarkin	...	Susan (6 episodes, 1999)
Eve Matheson	...	Catherine Grieve (6 episodes, 1999)

Series Directed by
Ken Grieve		(2 episodes, 1998)
Patrick Lau		(2 episodes, 1998)
Syd Macartney		(2 episodes, 1998)
Matthew Evans		(2 episodes, 1999)
A.J. Quinn		(2 episodes, 1999)
Crispin Reece		(2 episodes, 1999)

Series Writing credits
Russell Lewis		(13 episodes, 1998-1999)
Julian Jones		(3 episodes, 1998-1999)
Timothy Prager		(3 episodes, 1998-1999)
Christopher Russell		(2 episodes, 1998)
Neil McKay		(2 episodes, 1999)

Series Produced by
Louise Berridge	....	producer (7 episodes, 1999)
Stephen Smallwood	....	producer (6 episodes, 1998)
Jeremy Gwilt	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Richard Harvey		(1 episode, 1998)

Series Cinematography by
Simon Kossoff		(1 episode, 1998)

Series Film Editing by
Kevin Lester		(1 episode, 1998)
Charles Alexander		(unknown episodes)
Catherine Creed		(unknown episodes)
Andrew McClelland		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Nathan Crowley		(1 episode, 1998)

Series Art Direction by
Clodagh Conroy		(1 episode, 1998)

Series Costume Design by
Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh		(1 episode, 1998)

Series Makeup Department
Joe Whelan	....	assistant hair stylist (7 episodes, 1999)

Series Production Management
Des Martin	....	production manager (1 episode, 1998)
Shelley Powell	....	post-production supervisor (1 episode, 1998)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Cain	....	second assistant director (7 episodes, 1999)
Brian 'Joker' Mulvey	....	trainee assistant director (6 episodes, 1998)
Robert Quinn	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1998)
Catherine Dunne	....	second assistant director (unknown episodes)
Andrew Woodhead	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Cos Egan	....	property master (2 episodes, 1998)
Graeme Bird	....	art department trainee (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Eddie Quinn	....	boom operator (13 episodes, 1998-1999)
Iain Eyre	....	assistant sound editor (12 episodes, 1998-1999)
Steven McLoughlin	....	sound trainee (7 episodes, 1999)
Peter Dyson	....	sound editor (3 episodes, 1999)
Becki Ponting	....	foley editor (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Brendan Byrne	....	special effects supervisor (1 episode, 1998)

Series Visual Effects by
Colin Liggett	....	digital compositor (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Philippe Zone	....	stunt arranger (1 episode, 1998)
Donal O'Farrell	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Darryl Byrne	....	clapper loader dailies / clapper loader: dailies (7 episodes, 1998-1999)
Ciaran Kavanagh	....	a camera focus puller (6 episodes, 1998)
Philip Murphy	....	key grip (6 episodes, 1998)
Garret Baldwin	....	best boy (unknown episodes)
Tim Fleming	....	focus puller: second unit (unknown episodes)
Patrick Redmond	....	still photographer (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Ann Fielden	....	casting: UK (1 episode, 1998)
Frank Moiselle	....	casting: Ireland (1 episode, 1998)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lian Callaghan	....	wardrobe supervisor (1 episode, 1998)

Series Editorial Department
Scott Hinchcliffe	....	on-line editor (6 episodes, 1998)

Series Transportation Department
Eamonn Murphy	....	transport captain (1 episode, 1998)

Series Other crew
Kevin Jackson	....	production executive (13 episodes, 1998-1999)
Laerke Sigfred Pedersen	....	script supervisor (13 episodes, 1998-1999)
John McKenna	....	armorer (unknown episodes)
Georgina O'Connor	....	assistant production coordinator (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Ecosse Films
• Irish Screen

Distributors

• BFS Video (2011) (USA) (DVD) (complete series)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (BBC Northern Ireland)

Special Effects

• Team FX

Other Companies

• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services

Also Known As:

Runtime:

50 min (12 episodes)

Country:

UK | Ireland

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Company:

Ecosse Films

Intriguing series about a British Ambassador juggling private and public issues in Ireland

This is an excellent series. Pauline Collins plays Harriet Smith, the Ambassador, who has to maneuver through difficult political obstacles as she represents the British government in Ireland. This aired originally in 1998, so the situation in Ireland is probably quite different. Since it was not a period drama it's not that educational about Irish/British relations. It's more about the difficulty of diplomacy in a general sense.

Smith has to deal with both public and personal issues, which sometimes overlap. She has children who don't understand why her job has to take precedence over their needs. And she has assistants who don't always have her best interests at heart.

Things are never black-and-white in her world, and Smith is seldom foolish enough to think they are (although she has her moments). Surprisingly, her integrity is an asset, rather than a handicap--but not in a schmaltzy way. She succeeds, not because she's more ethical than her male counterparts, but because she's ethical *and* smart *and* tough-minded.

But I emphasize that things are not clear cut and even when Smith is right, she can also be wrong.

One of the pleasures in this series is the presence of Denis Lawson, who plays her political attaché. Although he is her loyal ally, he often has his own agenda.

All in all, a very thoughtful and intriguing drama.