Stonehouse

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Broadcasts on ITV1 then full series drop on ITVX on Wednesday 4 January.

Stonehouse

Series overview:

Drama starring Matthew Macfadyen as the ambitious British politician who, in 1974, hatches an outlandish plan to disappear. Inspired by the extraordinary true story.

Episode 2:

John Stonehouse, hiding out in Melbourne, draws suspicion from local police. Barbara and Sheila fly to Australia to confront the disappeared MP.

***

In Melbourne, John Stonehouse moves to a grotty, downtown apartment to lie low, but is drawn out by friendly locals in a jazz club. Slightly drunk, he signs off a cheque that will draw the attention of Australian police.

Back in the UK, Labour loses an important vote and - with the government’s majority still wafer thin - Stonehouse’s disappearance gains significance. 

On Christmas Eve, Stonehouse is arrested and questioned. He’s initially suspected of being the missing peer Lord Lucan, but further interrogation and evidence lead to Stonehouse spilling the beans. He has to call home to Barbara, who had been preparing herself and the children for Stonehouse never to return.

After Stonehouse refuses to resign, Wilson deploys chief aid Betty Boothroyd to convince Barbara to fly out to Australia. Once there, Barbara has to contend with Stonehouse’s pseudo-psychological excuses and Sheila’s suspicious presence during the trio’s uneasy stay at a rural 'safehouse’. 

Wilson - still determined to get Stonehouse back to the UK - calls in a favour from the Australian High Commissioner.

Full cast (if applicable)

John Stonehouse - MATTHEW MACFADYEN
Sheila Buckley - EMER HEATLEY
Harold Wilson - KEVIN R. MCNALLY
Barbara Stonehouse - KEELEY HAWES 
Speaker at The House of Commons - SIMON GREENALL
Betty Boothroyd - DOROTHY ATKINSON
Civil Servant - CELIA ROBERTSON
Young Matthew Stonehouse - DAINTON ANDERSON
Jane Stonehouse - ORLA HILL
Julia Stonehouse - AOIFE CHECKLAND
Czech Government Official - BRIAN CASPE
Irena Bala    I - EVA ANDREJEVAITE
Alexander Marek - IGOR GRABUZOV
Bank Manager - ROBIN LAING
BAC Spokesman - JONATHAN RHODES
Charles Elwel - TIMOTHY WALKER
Harry Evans - WILL ADAMSDALE
Margaret Thatcher - DEVON BLACK
Cliff Michelmore - ALBERT WELLING
BBC Studio Manager - JOSHUA DIFFLEY
Chief Whip - BRYAN LAWRENCE
Assistant Bank Manager - TOMMY LETTS
Patient - RICHARD RYCROFT
Nurse - SAM YETUNDE
Mrs Carey - CATHERINE SKINNER
Mourner - LINDA ARMSTRONG
Desk Clerk - SAM LOCKWOOD
Matthew Stonehouse - ARCHIE BARNES
Airline Official - TRACEY VANESSA BROWN