2.3 Cousin Bette

An A to Z of UK Television Drama

While Andy is returning to an old favourite and a third viewing, Martin is seeing this 1971 adaptation of Honore de Balzac’s Cousin Bette for the first time. As with Barchester his worst fears are unfounded, in fact he, like confirmed fan Andy, finds this drama compelling and delicious and vows to introduce it to others. The series concerns the fortunes of poor relation Cousin Bette played with verve and ferocity by the wonderful Margaret Tyzack (best known for the role of Antonia in I, Claudius) who decides to revenge herself upon her family when the man she saves from suicide, Count Steinbock (Colin Baker), is taken from her. Bette allies herself with the beautiful and ambitious Valerie Marneffe (Helen Mirren) whose appetite for money just about surpasses her appetite for lovers and together the pair set about destroying the Hulot family, including sex-mad patriarch Hector (Thorley Walters) and his long-suffering deeply religious wife Adeline (Ursula Howells). The series also stars Doctor Who luminaries Edward de Souza, Davyd Harries and David Garth. A surprisingly fast-paced exploration of revenge, jealousy and infidelity, Andy and Martin choose their favourite moments and give their commentary on the unfolding intrigue and some of the most memorable performances ever given in BBC costume drama. Margaret Tyzack was quite rightly nominated for an Emmy for what is surely the role of her career.