Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20110704 | Written by Franny Moyle. Constance was a shy child with a bullying mother. After the death of her father she escapes to live with her grandfather and blossoms into a confident, outgoing young woman. In the spring of 1895 the life of Constance Wilde changed irrevocably. Up until the conviction of her husband, Oscar, for homosexual crimes, she had held a privileged position in society. Part of a gilded couple, she was a popular children's author, a fashion icon, and a leading campaigner for women's rights. A founding member of the magical society the Golden Dawn, her pioneering and questioning spirit encouraged her to sample some of the more controversial aspects of her time. Mrs Oscar Wilde was a phenomenon in her own right. But that spring Constance's entire life was eclipsed by scandal. Forced to flee to the Continent with her two sons, her glittering literary and political career ended abruptly. Having changed her name, she lived in exile until her death. Franny Moyle's biography tells Constance's story with a fresh eye and new material. Drawing on numerous unpublished letters, she brings to life the story of a woman at the heart of fin-de-si耀cle London and the Aesthetic movement. In a compelling and moving tale of an unlikely couple caught up in a world unsure of its moral footing, she uncovers key revelations about a woman who was the victim of one of the greatest betrayals of all time. Reader: Rachel Atkins Abridger: Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green Following the death of her father, Constance escapes the clutches of her bullying mother. |
| 02 | 20110705 | Written by Franny Moyle. Constance is engaged to Oscar Wilde and the couple are blissfully happy. But her brother Otho has doubts about Oscar's suitability as a prospective husband. In the spring of 1895 the life of Constance Wilde changed irrevocably. Up until the conviction of her husband, Oscar, for homosexual crimes, she had held a privileged position in society. Part of a gilded couple, she was a popular children's author, a fashion icon, and a leading campaigner for women's rights. A founding member of the magical society the Golden Dawn, her pioneering and questioning spirit encouraged her to sample some of the more controversial aspects of her time. Mrs Oscar Wilde was a phenomenon in her own right. But that spring Constance's entire life was eclipsed by scandal. Forced to flee to the Continent with her two sons, her glittering literary and political career ended abruptly. Having changed her name, she lived in exile until her death. Franny Moyle's biography tells Constance's story with a fresh eye and new material. Drawing on numerous unpublished letters, she brings to life the story of a woman at the heart of fin-de-si耀cle London and the Aesthetic movement. In a compelling and moving tale of an unlikely couple caught up in a world unsure of its moral footing, she uncovers key revelations about a woman who was the victim of one of the greatest betrayals of all time. Reader: Rachel Atkins Abridger: Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green Otho has doubts as to Oscar's suitability as a future husband for Constance. |
| 03 | 20110706 | Written by Franny Moyle. Oscar and Constance are married with two young sons. But Constance is determined not to let motherhood stand in the way of her own literary ambitions. In the spring of 1895 the life of Constance Wilde changed irrevocably. Up until the conviction of her husband, Oscar, for homosexual crimes, she had held a privileged position in society. Part of a gilded couple, she was a popular children's author, a fashion icon, and a leading campaigner for women's rights. A founding member of the magical society the Golden Dawn, her pioneering and questioning spirit encouraged her to sample some of the more controversial aspects of her time. Mrs Oscar Wilde was a phenomenon in her own right. But that spring Constance's entire life was eclipsed by scandal. Forced to flee to the Continent with her two sons, her glittering literary and political career ended abruptly. Having changed her name, she lived in exile until her death. Franny Moyle's biography tells Constance's story with a fresh eye and new material. Drawing on numerous unpublished letters, she brings to life the story of a woman at the heart of fin-de-si耀cle London and the Aesthetic movement. In a compelling and moving tale of an unlikely couple caught up in a world unsure of its moral footing, she uncovers key revelations about a woman who was the victim of one of the greatest betrayals of all time. Reader: Rachel Atkins Abridger: Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green Now married with two young sons, Constance embarks on her own literary career. |
| 04 | 20110707 | Written by Franny Moyle. Constance has become close friends with Lady Mount-Temple which, conveniently for Oscar, leaves him free to spend more time with Lord Alfred Douglas. In the spring of 1895 the life of Constance Wilde changed irrevocably. Up until the conviction of her husband, Oscar, for homosexual crimes, she had held a privileged position in society. Part of a gilded couple, she was a popular children's author, a fashion icon, and a leading campaigner for women's rights. A founding member of the magical society the Golden Dawn, her pioneering and questioning spirit encouraged her to sample some of the more controversial aspects of her time. Mrs Oscar Wilde was a phenomenon in her own right. But that spring Constance's entire life was eclipsed by scandal. Forced to flee to the Continent with her two sons, her glittering literary and political career ended abruptly. Having changed her name, she lived in exile until her death. Franny Moyle's biography tells Constance's story with a fresh eye and new material. Drawing on numerous unpublished letters, she brings to life the story of a woman at the heart of fin-de-si耀cle London and the Aesthetic movement. In a compelling and moving tale of an unlikely couple caught up in a world unsure of its moral footing, she uncovers key revelations about a woman who was the victim of one of the greatest betrayals of all time. Reader: Rachel Atkins Abridger: Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green As Constance spends time with Georgina, Oscar falls under the spell of 'Bosie'. |
| 05 LAST | 20110708 | Written by Franny Moyle. When Oscar loses his libel case against Queensbury and is charged with acts of indecency, Constance realizes she must move quickly to protect the children. In the spring of 1895 the life of Constance Wilde changed irrevocably. Up until the conviction of her husband, Oscar, for homosexual crimes, she had held a privileged position in society. Part of a gilded couple, she was a popular children's author, a fashion icon, and a leading campaigner for women's rights. A founding member of the magical society the Golden Dawn, her pioneering and questioning spirit encouraged her to sample some of the more controversial aspects of her time. Mrs Oscar Wilde was a phenomenon in her own right. But that spring Constance's entire life was eclipsed by scandal. Forced to flee to the Continent with her two sons, her glittering literary and political career ended abruptly. Having changed her name, she lived in exile until her death. Franny Moyle's biography tells Constance's story with a fresh eye and new material. Drawing on numerous unpublished letters, she brings to life the story of a woman at the heart of fin-de-si耀cle London and the Aesthetic movement. In a compelling and moving tale of an unlikely couple caught up in a world unsure of its moral footing, she uncovers key revelations about a woman who was the victim of one of the greatest betrayals of all time. Reader: Rachel Atkins Abridger: Libby Spurrier Producer: Joanna Green Constance hears the news she'd been dreading and moves to protect the children. |