Series from 2012
Julia Davis brings her brand of dark humor to the 1830s in this acclaimed period comedy. Helene is the lone survivor of a ship washed ashore near the …
Shipwreck survivor Helene is washed ashore near a small English village, where she meets and falls in love with widowed pastor Edmund. They soon marry - but he is unaware she is hiding dark secrets from her past. Meanwhile, Edmund's sinister housekeeper Dorothy seems determined to drive the newlyweds apart.
In the wake of Bird Raymond's death, for which Helene is blamed, the shipwreck survivor attempts to adjust to life as a pastor's wife. Negotiating devious Dorothy's wicked schemes grows increasingly tricky when she's also blamed for the deteriorating health of Mother Mathilde.
Helene tries to adjust to life as a pastor's wife, but is held responsible for Mother Mathilde's declining health. She also tries to cheer up Edmund by buying him a dog, but her gift does not have the desired effect - and Dorothy schemes to ensure her reputation is further tarnished. Meanwhile, Annie and Tom secretly let Helene's fellow survivor Geoff live in a cupboard.
Edmund learns he will inherit his late mother's estate if he fathers an heir within a year of her death, and desperately tries to impregnate Helene. However, when a series of supposedly foolproof methods proves unsuccessful, he sends her to be examined by Dr Foggerty - unwittingly driving them closer together.
Edmund announces he and Helene are going to start a new life in Fiji, but Dorothy is determined to stop them leaving - and she begins to hatch an evil plan after spotting a newspaper advert for a travelling freak show. Meanwhile, Dr Foggerty and Helene struggle to hide their attraction for each other.
Helene makes plans to flee Hunderby with her lover Dr Foggerty, but an eavesdropper overhears their scheming - and decides to put an end to it. Elsewhere in the house, Dorothy's sinister schemes continue as she welcomes an unusual visitor, who also gives Edmund hope that his search for an heir may not be in vain.
