BEECHAM HOUSE
set on the cusp of the 19th century in Delhi before the British ruled
in that region, depicts the fortunes of the residents of Beecham House,
an imposing mansion surrounded by acres of exotic woods and pristine
lawns.
Tom Bateman takes the role of enigmatic, soulful John Beecham, a handsome former soldier who has purchased the magnificent mansion,
BEECHAM HOUSE,
to begin a new life with his family.
Wealthy and distinguished, John has witnessed profiteering and
exploitation during
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Gurinder Chada both wrote and directed the new epic TV seres |
his time with the controlling East India Company and
has resolved to conduct his business as a trader in a more equitable
manner. Determined to escape his previous life, John appears haunted by
his past, but is inspired to become an
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Tom Bateman leads an ITV series again after Vanity Fair |
honourable member of the region’s
trading community.
In spite of John’s good intentions his life is shrouded in mystery and
when he arrives at the house with a child named August and two Indian
nursemaids, Chanchal
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Victoria's Leo Suter plays Beecham's younger brother Daniel! |
(
Shriya Pilgaonkar) and Maya (
Trupti Khamkar),
it causes speculation and gossip amongst the servants that he may be
the boy’s father. One of the Indian nursemaids, the beautiful Chanchal,
is overly protective and
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Beecham House will also air on PBS Masterpiece probably this Autumn |
particularly fond of the child. Could she be
John’s lover and the mother of August?
Lesley Nicol is John’s robust, interfering mother Henrietta who
has travelled from England to India to stay with her son. She is
accompanied by a young family friend Violet, played by
Bessie Carter who she is determined to
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Marc Warren will play John's friend Samuel Parker |
help form a union with John.
The pair are accompanied by an old friend of John’s, Samuel Parker, played by
Marc Warren who
has also left the East India Company and has returned to India for a
fresh start. Samuel helps John
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Gregory Fitoussi is villainous General Castillon |
to find his brother Daniel who he has not
seen for 10 years. John convinces Daniel (
Leo Suter) to leave the East India Company and join him at
BEECHAM HOUSE.
Gregory Fitoussi plays General Castillon, a French mercenary
working for the Emperor at a time when the French are challenging the
East India Company for India. Castillon is suspicious of John and his
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Tom Bateman's John will be sporting tons of Indiana Jones costumes1 |
motives and conspires to stop John being granted a trading licence.
Adil Ray is
John’s neighbour Murad Beg who dislikes General Castillon intensely and
agrees to help John secure a trading licence. Murad’s daughter,
Roshanara, (
Medha Shankar) has an English governess Margaret Osborne, played by
Dakota Blue Richards whose beauty and intelligence catches John’s
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Downton Abbey's Leslie Nicol plays John's mother |
attention.
However, when beautiful Chandrika (
Pallavi Sharda) arrives at
BEECHAM HOUSE
with her entourage she is shown to luxurious guest quarters and
immediately insists on seeing August. What secrets does Chandrika bring
with her to
BEECHAM HOUSE? Finally
Laura Dutta plays Begum Samru, a real woman who existed in 18th century India and was the head of a professional trained mercenary army.
What a cute baby! Such a very handsome father!
ReplyDeleteThe series is going to be visually great with beautiful locations and costumes.
As for the plot - it seems there are too many people at the mansion, and that will prevent things from moving smoothly.
A lot will depend on the script and the actors.
I'd really enjoy an Indian set series this summer! ITV had Indian Summers a few years ago and it was lovely watching during summer.
DeleteIt's a maybe from me!
ReplyDeleteA lil' bit of preRaj fun this summer!
DeleteLove the idea of this and that dude dressed in those lovely dusty romantic clothes! I will wait impatiently for this one to show up!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing it will hit your PBS in Autumn.
DeleteI will keep my eyes peeled for this one on PBS. Too bad it will be this fall instead of summer, but it will be one that I know I won't want to miss.
ReplyDeleteI hope it does not disappoint like other ITV's shows this year. They've turned Victoria into pathetic melodrama.
Delete