January, 2023, is a great month for TV dramas with Happy Valley returning to BBC One, you can read more about Happy Valley here, and Welsh drama, The Light in the Hall, beginning on Channel 4. ITV is also airing some gripping dramas including Stonehouse.
Following the life and times of disgraced Labour minister John Stonehouse, the drama stars BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Matthew Mcfadyen in the title role. John Stonehouse shot to fame when as a serving MP he attempted to fake his own death in 1974. This became one of the biggest political dramas of the 1970s and has now been dramatised for ITV. Here is everything you need to know about the drama.
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When does Stonehouse begin on ITV?
The first episode of Stonehouse will air on ITV1 on Monday, January 2, at 9pm. There are three episodes in the series with the second episode airing on Tuesday, January 3, and the third on Wednesday, January 4, both at 9pm on ITV1.
If binge-watching is for you, you can enjoy all three episodes on the ITV streaming site ITVX as the full series will be available after the first episode airs.
What is the Stonehouse plot?
The drama is based on the true story of former MP for Walsall North, John Stonehouse, who attempted to fake his own death. John left behind his loving wife Barbara and three young children as a shocked public and media presumed he had drowned or been eaten by sharks.
Charismatic, oozing with charm and brimming with confidence, Stonehouse had impressed Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Labour stalwarts from an early stage in his parliamentary career. From a working-class background, he’d graduated from the London School of Economics, was in the RAF during the war and seemed the ideal candidate for a life in politics.
As the drama unfolds, it becomes apparent his reputation as a devoted family man masked the truth, as he’d embarked on an extramarital affair with his secretary, Sheila Buckley, and acted as a spy for the Czech Secret Service in the 1960s. His complex financial status and relationships eventually took their toll, with Stonehouse deliberately stealing the identity of a recently deceased constituent.
Stonehouse applied for a passport in the dead man’s name and began to weave an elaborate conspiracy, seeking a new life in Australia. But his plans soon turned sour as Stonehouse was arrested by Australian police who had been under the mistaken impression that he was the fugitive peer Lord Lucan.
Brought back to the UK by Scotland Yard detectives, Stonehouse found that he was crucial to keeping the Labour government in power with its wafer-thin majority.
Who is in the Stonehouse cast?
Matthew Macfadyen as John Stonehouse: In the title role is Matthew Macfadyen as John Stonehouse. He has won an Emmy and two BAFTAS for his role as Tom Wambsgans in Succession and also starred in the ITV drama Quiz.
Keeley Hawes: Real life wife of Matthew is Keeley Hawes who is playing his on-screen wife Barbara Stonehouse in the drama. Matthew and Keeley married in 2004 and have acted together in Spooks, Ashes To Ashes and Death At A Funeral.
Kevin R. McNally as Harold Wilson: Taking on the role of Labour prime minister Harold Wilson is Kevin R. McNally. Kevin is best known for playing Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series and he has also appeared in Netflix hit series The Crown.
Emer Heatley as Shelia Buckley: Emer Heatley is playing Shelia Buckley, who is John's secretary who he had an affair with. Previously Emer starred in the TV series Showtrail.
Dorothy Atkinson as Betty Boothroyd: Playing the MP for West Bromwich West Betty Boothroyd is Dorothy Atkinson. In 2021 Dorothy joined the cast of All Creatures Great and Small and has also performed on stage.
Igor Grabuzov as Alexander Marek: In the role of Alexander Marek is Igor Grabuzov. Igor has previously starred in the film Why Don't You Just Die! and the TV series 1703.
Where was Stonehouse filmed?
Following the real-life area where John Stonehouse was MP, filming for Stonehouse took place in the Midlands, in Coventry and Birmingham. Other locations include Stratford-upon-Avon, Harborne and Leamington Spa.
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