The Devil's Whore

The background and synopsis of this four-part historical drama.

The Devil's Whore tells the story of the seismic events of 17th-century England, when political disobedience turned to revolution and civil war, and English history changed forever.

The story is told through the experiences of a spirited aristocratic woman, Angelica Fanshawe (Andrea Riseborough), who comes to know the key figures on both sides of this bitter conflict. It is a story not just of political and historical significance, but of love, loss, murder, courage and betrayal.

Angelica is born in 1623, when England is divided both politically and religiously. When Angelica's deeply religious mother gives up her daughter and flees to France to the sanctuary of a Catholic convent, the child Angelica curses God. Thereafter, at key moments throughout the rest of her life, she is haunted by images of the Devil, seemingly cursed for her moment of rash blasphemy.

As the years pass, Angelica becomes part of the royal court of Charles I (Peter Capaldi), enjoying a life of carefree privilege. She is engaged to her childhood sweetheart, her cousin Harry Fanshawe (Ben Aldridge), and looks forward to their future together at Fanshawe House.

But England is changing. Outside Angelica's gilt-edged world, the people are poor, sick, hungry and angry; demanding society and government change radically to ensure a better life for all. One such man is John Lilburne (Tom Goodman-Hill), whose campaigning on behalf of the common man puts him at odds with the authorities. On the day of her marriage, Angelica witnesses his brutal public flogging as his wife Elizabeth (Maxine Peake) looks on. That same day, a mercenary and soldier for hire, Edward Sexby (John Simm), visits the palace, where he is captivated by Angelica's beauty.

Soon after their wedding, Harry and Angelica are visited at home by Elizabeth Lilburne, who has walked, heavily pregnant, from London, to plead with Harry to intercede on her imprisoned husband's behalf. Loyal Royalist Harry dismisses her immediately, and is appalled when Angelica questions his decision. But for Angelica, the seeds of her political awareness are sewn. She persuades Sexby to take her to prison to visit Lilburne, to hear what he has to say. In the meeting, Lilburne is flanked by two supporters, also paying a visit. They are Thomas Rainsborough (Michael Fassbender) and Oliver Cromwell (Dominic West).

Soon afterwards, amidst mounting public pressure, Lilburne is released from prison. With the authority of the throne under threat, the King marches on parliament to arrest five rebels. They are tipped off, and escape. It is a further humiliation. As the royal authority begins to crumble, so too does Angelica's marriage, her husband Harry unable to cope with such a spirited and modern woman as his wife.

The royal family are forced to abandon London, and take refuge in Oxford. Finally, the long-threatened war breaks out, with the Royalists and Parliamentarians clashing at the bloody Battle of Edgehill. Those prominent in the Roundhead cause include Rainsborough, Cromwell and Lilburne. During the battle Sexby, previously merely a soldier for hire, becomes troubled by his allegiance to the Royalists, disobeys his superior officer, Harry Fanshawe, and defects to the other side. In the heat of battle, Fanshawe all but kills him, but Sexby's vision of Angelica helps him to survive.

By now, the lines are drawn, and England has begun one of the bloodiest periods of its history. Sexby has joined the Roundhead cause. King Charles calls upon the massed ranks of his own nobility, including Harry Fanshawe, to support him. But Harry's wife has different ideas.

It is the start of a road that will change inexorably not only Angelica's life, but all of those with whom she comes into contact, including the most important figures of this tumultuous time. Ahead of her lies unaccustomed poverty, tragedy and triumph, love and loss on an unimaginable scale, with the Devil of her visions seemingly thwarting her every attempt at happiness.

For England, the future is equally radical. Village will fight against village, brother against brother, as the nation is torn apart. Friendships will be tested and loyalties broken - even among those in command, and on the same side.

The drama has only just begun to play out.