An Unwanted Woman
1992: Adapted by Rosemary Anne Sisson.
Myland Castle has stood for more than 900 years. Now someone - or something - is maliciously pushing cyclists as they ride along the path close to the castle walls. When one of the victims dies, Wexford employs Sgt Martin as bait to catch the killer.
Meanwhile, in nearby Castle Road, ninety-two-year-old Ivy Wrangton dies of apparently natural causes. However, district nurse Judith Radcliffe has her doubts. She tells Wexford that she has an instinct for death and that - despite her age - there was ‘no sign of death in Ivy Wrangton’… Continue reading →
Background: Portchester Castle near Portsmouth was used as the setting for Myland Castle. An Unwanted Woman was adapted from two Ruth Rendell short stories: An Unwanted Woman and Old Wives’ Tales.
Audio Clip: “It was old Arthur”
Audio Clip: “It was old Arthur”
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Cast and Crew
- DCI Wexford
- GEORGE BAKER
- DI Burden
- CHRISTOPHER RAVENSCROFT
- Dora Wexford
- LOUIE RAMSAY
- Jenny Burden
- DIANE KEEN
- Sophie
- CLAIRE WOODGATE
- Ann Waterton
- EILEEN PAGE
- Hilary Stacey
- SUSAN WOOLDRIDGE
- Elsie Parrish
- MAJORIE SOMMERVILLE
- Car Salesman
- TERRY JOHN
- Desmond Stacey
- JOHN CONROY
- Matron
- TILLY TREMAYNE
- Mrs Betts
- MAGGIE HOLLAND
- Mr Betts
- PETER COPLEY
- Sister
- BARRIE SHORE
- Peter Renton
- IAN GELDER
- Roy Smith
- ROGER GRIFFITHS
- DS Martin
- KEN KITSON
- Dr Crocker
- JOHN BURGESS
- Dr Moss
- VINCENT REGAN
- Coroner
- BASIL MOSS
- Original music composed by
- BRIAN BENNETT
- Casting Director
- DOREEN JONES
- Stunt Arranger
- TERRY FORRESTAL
- Production Manager
- GRAEME MacARTHUR
- 1st Assistant Director
- PHIL HARTLEY
- Production Secretary
- SUSAN IRISH
- Producer’s Secretary
- CATHERINE BOLWELL
- Graphic Designer
- TIM BERNARD
- Costume Designer
- JAN COLLINS
- Make Up Supervisor
- DEBORAH McKINLAY
- Production Buyer
- GRAHAM CURTIS
- Designer
- CHRISTINE RUSCOE
- Camera Grip
- ALAN IMESON
- Sound Recordist
- MAURICE HILLIER
- Camera Operator
- JULIAN BARBER
- Dubbing Editor
- PETER DANSIE
- Dubbing Mixer
- DAVE FALLON
- Film Editor
- NIGEL BATE
- Lighting Cameraman
- GRAHAM GEDDES
- Executive Producer
- GRAHAM BENSON
- Producer
- NEIL ZEIGER
- Directed by
- JENNY WILKES
- A Blue Heaven Production for
- TVS
Principal Characters
An Unwanted Woman
Ivy Wrangton - a 92-year-old housebound woman with an independent spirit - reluctantly shares her home on Castle Road with sixty-something daughter Doreen (Maggie Holland) and her gloomy husband Harry Betts (Peter Copley).
Ivy is regularly visited by neighbour Elsie Parish (Majorie Sommerville) - an elderly widow - who feels isolated and dreams of being able to afford her “own little car”. When Ivy dies suddenly, suspicions are aroused and Wexford has to investigate the possibility that Mr and Mrs Betts both had a hand in her demise.
Jenny Burden is rehearsing with the Myringham Singers for a concert that is to be held in the grounds of nearby Myland Castle. Jenny introduces Mike to Hilary Stacey (Susan Wooldridge), an old friend who has moved back to live in Kingsmarkham. Hilary is newly remarried but her happiness is shattered when her teenage daughter, Sophie (Claire Woodgate) , refuses to accept her mother’s new relationship and goes to live with Ann Winterton (Eileen Page), an elderly widow whom Sophie saved from suicide.
Background notes | Cast & crew »
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