Watch Paradise Postponed

Name: Paradise Postponed
Genre: Reality
Released: 1986-09-15
Cast: Michael Hordern

1986
1 Season
7.9 (136)

Paradise Postponed is a British television drama mini-series that premiered in 1986. The show is based on the novel of the same name by author John Mortimer, who also adapted the screenplay. The series was directed by Alvin Rakoff and produced by Ken Riddington. The show follows the life of a clergyman named Simeon Simcox, played by Michael Hordern. Simcox lives in a small English village and has spent his life devoted to his parishioners and his family. However, when he dies, his will reveals a series of shocking secrets that have the potential to upend the lives of those around him.

The show is comprised of 10 episodes, each running for about an hour. It is set in the 1980s and features a star-studded cast, including Frank Finlay, Annette Crosbie, and Peter Egan.

Paradise Postponed explores themes of class, politics, and morality. It paints a vivid picture of life in a small English village and delves into the complicated relationships between the characters. The show is often described as a portrait of England during the Thatcher era, reflecting the social and political issues of the time.

The story begins with the death of Simeon Simcox. His will reveals that he has left his extensive property holdings to a mysterious figure named Leslie Titmuss, played by David Threlfall. Titmuss is a social climber and a conservative politician who uses his newfound wealth and power to pursue his ambitions. However, he faces opposition from the socialist vicar Samuel Crane, played by Finlay, who is determined to fight Titmuss on behalf of the working-class people in the village.

As the story unfolds, we see the complex relationships between the characters. The show explores themes of love, greed, and the struggle for power. It also deals with issues of morality and the consequences of our actions. The characters are flawed and multi-dimensional, and the show is able to present their struggles in a nuanced and compelling way.

One of the standout performances in the show is Michael Hordern as Simeon Simcox. Although his character dies early on, his presence is felt throughout the series. Hordern gives a powerful and emotional performance that highlights the importance of his character in the lives of those around him.

The show's production values are also impressive. It features beautiful scenery and excellent cinematography, creating a vivid picture of life in a small English village. The period costumes and sets are also well-done, transporting the viewer back to the 1980s.

Overall, Paradise Postponed is a must-see for fans of British drama. Its exploration of social and political issues of the time is both fascinating and thought-provoking. The outstanding cast and well-crafted story make this show a classic of British television.

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Seasons

11. The Simcox Inheritance

November 24, 1986

Fred finally learns the truth about his father--and that the Simcox, Fanner, and Titmuss families are linked in a way that no one could have imagined. Truths of all sorts catch up with Leslie Titmuss as well, who risks losing both his fortune and his political career.

10. Faithful, Unfaithful

November 17, 1986

Titmuss has recovered politically from his personal heartbreak, but moves are afoot to unseat him. Henry targets Titmuss, determined to contest Reverend Simcox's will in court. Fred, however, is equally adamant about not basing the case on his father's supposed insanity.

9. The Gods of the Copy Book Headings

November 10, 1986

It's election time again for Leslie Titmuss, MP, and he hits the stumps. A father now, he's determined to get young Nicholas into the best boarding school, which creates more friction with his wife. Titmuss encourages Charlotte to find interests outside the home, but her new cause has tragic results.

8. Enigma Variations

November 3, 1986

Dr. Salter finally breathes his last, as if Leslie Titmus being a member of Parliament is too much for him to bear. His daughter, Agnes, meanwhile, tires of Henry's infidelities and walks out. And Fred, grown disenchanted with the woman in his life, leaves as well.

7. And a Happy New Year to You, Too!

October 27, 1986

The extended Simcox clan gathers at the rectory for Christmas, while the Titmusses join the Fanners. But the season's goodwill proves in short supply. Agnes learns disturbing news about Henry, now a successful novelist. By New Year's Eve, tensions threaten to erupt into open hostilities.

6. The Lost Leader

October 20, 1986

Titmuss eyes the Conservative Party nomination for the parliamentary seat recently lost to the socialists. First, though, he has to maneuver a rival out of the way. Then his wife, Charlotte, threatens to thwart his chances.

5. The Wrongs of Man

October 13, 1986

The death of a local poacher is thought to be accidental. But Fred isn't convinced. Why did Dr. Salter always pretend he didn't know the man? The good doctor and the poacher may share more in common than meets the eye--and seem destined for the same fate.

4. Living in the Past

October 6, 1986

Henry and Agnes get married and have a child, and the brothers finally reconcile. But as he's coming to terms with his current life, Fred also begins to probe some mysteries in his past. Always looking to the future, Leslie Titmuss engineers a victory for the hated Labour Party in the parliamentary election.

3. Chez Titmuss

September 29, 1986

Fred's relationship with Agnes's father, Dr. Salter, improves even as his affair with Agnes ends. Titmuss's romance with Charlotte Fanner, on the other hand, goes from strength to strength, but both sets of parents disapprove.

2. The Temptation of Henry Simcox

September 22, 1986

The relationship between Fred, the jazz-drumming medical student, and Agnes, the local doctor's daughter, hits a sour note. Meanwhile, Henry finds out that he and his brother have more in common than either could have guessed. And Titmuss makes his own moves on the romantic front.

1. Death of a Saint

September 15, 1986

From the time Leslie Titmuss was a young boy, Reverend Simcox encouraged his endeavors. Now an accounts clerk at the Simcox brewery, Titmuss shows every sign of being on the way up. The same can't be said of the rector's sons, Henry and Fred, who appear to be on a downward track.

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