The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (TV series)

The Life and Loves of a She-Devil is a 1986 award-winning BBC drama serial adapted from Fay Weldon's 1983 novel The Life and Loves of a She-Devil.

The Life and Loves of a She-Devil
GenreDrama
Based onThe Life and Loves of a She-Devil by Fay Weldon
Written byTed Whitehead
Directed byPhilip Saville
Starring
Theme music composerPeter Filleul
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Running time60 minutes
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release8 October (1986-10-08) 
29 October 1986 (1986-10-29)

Plot

The story concerns married couple Ruth and Bobbo, who are on the verge of separating as Bobbo is having an affair with novelist Mary Fisher. After Bobbo leaves Ruth and moves in with Mary, Ruth develops a plan to get her revenge on both of them.[1]

Cast

The cast of the drama includes:[2]

Production

Writing

The adaption by Ted Whitehead was very faithful to the novel with only minor changes from the book.

Locations

It was partly shot at the Belle Tout Lighthouse at Beachy Head near Eastbourne in East Sussex, which has since been moved several metres from the cliff edge, due to the rapid rate of coastal erosion in the area.[3]

Episodes

Episode Title Written by Directed by Original air date Ratings
1"Episode 1"Ted WhiteheadPhilip Saville8 October 1986 (1986-10-08)N/A
Ruth is devastated when she realizes that her husband Bobbo has been cheating on her, and when he finally abandons her, and their two children, she decides that she will do anything to get revenge on Bobbo and his mistress, novelist Mary Fisher.
2"Episode 2"Ted WhiteheadPhilip Saville15 October 1986 (1986-10-15)N/A
Ruth takes on a number of different roles and aliases to get her revenge, including starting to study accountancy, and working in a care home with Mary's mother, and having sex with a lot of different men to desensitize herself.
3"Episode 3"Ted WhiteheadPhilip Saville22 October 1986 (1986-10-22)N/A
Because Ruth burnt down their family home, Bobbo and Mary have to let Bobbo's two children live with them, which spoils their romantic plans, meanwhile Ruth gets Mary's mother kicked out of her care home, and she moves in to Mary's home as well.
4"Episode 4"Ted WhiteheadPhilip Saville29 October 1986 (1986-10-29)N/A
Mary realizes that Ruth is targeting her, and the stress and worry is making her sick, so she turns to a priest for help but she doesn't suspect that the priest is in Ruth's thrall. Meanwhile Ruth gets Bobbo sent to jail, and starts to takes over Mary's life and identity.

Awards

Year Association Category Nominated artist/work Result
1987 BAFTA Best Drama Series Sally Head, Philip Saville Won
Best Video Lighting John King Won
Best Video Cameraman Mike Winser, John Hawes Won
Best VTR Editor Malcolm Banthorpe, Dave Jervis Won
Best Actress Julie T. Wallace Nominated
Best Make Up Elizabeth Rowell Nominated
Best Costume Design Joyce Mortlock Nominated
Best Graphics Michael Graham-Smith Nominated
Best Original Television Music Peter Filleul Nominated
1988 CableACE Awards Writing a Movie or Miniseries Ted Whitehead Won
Actress in a Movie or Miniseries Julie T. Wallace Nominated
Make-Up Elizabeth Rowell Nominated

References

Awards
Preceded by
Edge of Darkness
British Academy Television Awards
Best Drama Series or Serial

1987
Succeeded by
Tutti Frutti
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