The Jewel in the Crown 

The British Raj: though their position seems secure, thoughtful English men and women know that "their" time in India is coming to an end. The story begins with an unjust arrest for rape, ... See full summary »

Stars:

Tim Pigott-Smith, Geraldine James, Wendy Morgan

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 10 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Tim Pigott-Smith	...	Ronald Merrick 13 episodes, 1984
Geraldine James	...	Sarah Layton 12 episodes, 1984
Wendy Morgan	...	Susan Layton 11 episodes, 1984
Judy Parfitt	...	Mildred Layton 9 episodes, 1984
Rosemary Leach	...	Aunt Fenny 7 episodes, 1984
Peggy Ashcroft	...	Barbie Batchelor 7 episodes, 1984
Geoffrey Beevers	...	Kevin Coley 7 episodes, 1984
Eric Porter	...	Dimitri Bronowsky 6 episodes, 1984
Nicholas Le Prevost	...	Nigel Rowan 6 episodes, 1984
Art Malik	...	Hari Kumar 6 episodes, 1984
Derrick Branche	...	Ahmed Kasim 6 episodes, 1984

Storyline

The British Raj: though their position seems secure, thoughtful English men and women know that "their" time in India is coming to an end. The story begins with an unjust arrest for rape, and the consequences of this echo through the series. Questions of identity and personal responsibility are explored against a background of war and personal intrigue.

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Plot Keywords:

cricket the sport | male frontal nudity | male nudity | period drama | rape | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Tim Pigott-Smith (Ronald Merrick) and Geraldine James (Sarah Layton) both had roles in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland." They played Lord & Lady Ascot, Alice's future in-laws.

James also had a role in another drama based in India, with a role in "Gandhi."

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Quotes

Capt. Ronald Merrick: Are you one of those people who think that if you teach an Indian the rules of cricket he'll become an English gentleman?
Guy Perron: Hardly sir. I know quite a few English gentlemen who play cricket brilliantly but are absolute shits.

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Connections

Referenced in Casting Far and Wide (2011)

User Reviews

A Masterpiece

I think that this series is absolute perfection. The acting is magnificent, the story is fascinating and the characters are so real that one thinks that one is actually watching a documentary about the final days of the Raj. It is a marvelous adaptation, not a spare scene and it is beautifully directed. It is tightly woven and tells its tale with enviable clarity. I can not find one flaw in this stupendous series. Literate, complex, compelling, this series is singular and an out and out classic. I fear that we will never see anything like this again. Given the current vapid and stupid landscape of American and British television, "The Jewel in the Crown" is THE exemplar of the height of drama.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 January 1984 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Jewel in the Crown

Filming Locations:

Kashmir, India

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

778 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1