Ashenden (TV series)
BBC adaptation of Maugham's spy novel, aired 1991.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Ashenden is a British four-part television series that aired on BBC1 from 17 November to 8 December 1991. Based on W. Somerset Maugham's 1927 spy novel *Ashenden: Or the British Agent*, the series was directed by Christopher Morahan and starred Alex Jennings in the title role. It is notable for its framing device, which depicts an aged Ashenden living in France in the mid-1960s, reacting adversely to music on the radio.
- field
- Television
- nationality
- British
- known_for
- Adaptation of Maugham's spy novel, four-part BBC series
- broadcast_dates
- 17 November to 8 December 1991
- director
- Christopher Morahan
- lead_actor
- Alex Jennings
Lore & Background
The series was filmed over 13 weeks on location in Yugoslavia and was completed in June 1991, immediately prior to the outbreak of the Ten-Day War. Each episode begins with a framing device showing progressively more of an aged Ashenden living in France in the mid-1960s, reacting adversely to a piece of music on the radio. The final episode closes with a return to this 'future' setting.
The cast includes Joss Ackland as Cumming, Ian Bannen as 'R', and Jason Isaacs as Andrew Lehman. Guest actors appear in each episode: Harriet Walter as Giulia Lazzari in the first, Alan Bennett as Grantly Caypor in the second, René Auberjonois as John Quincy Harrington in the third, and Elizabeth McGovern as Aileen Sommerville with Alfred Molina as Carmona in the final story.
The four episodes are titled 'The Dark Woman' (17 November 1991), 'The Traitor' (24 November 1991), 'Mr Harrington's Washing' (1 December 1991), and 'The Hairless Mexican' (8 December 1991).
Reader's Guide
Ashenden represents a late-20th-century television adaptation of a classic spy novel, notable for its casting and production timing. The series was completed just before the Ten-Day War in Yugoslavia, where it was filmed, adding a layer of historical context to its production. Its framing device—showing an aged Ashenden in the 1960s—provides a reflective structure that distinguishes it from straightforward adaptations. The series features a strong ensemble cast, including prominent British actors and international guest stars such as René Auberjonois and Alfred Molina. While the source article does not discuss critical reception or legacy, the series remains a documented example of BBC period drama and spy fiction from the early 1990s.
Did You Know?
- The series was filmed in 13 weeks on location in Yugoslavia and completed in June 1991, just before the Ten-Day War.
- Each episode opens with a framing device showing an aged Ashenden in France in the mid-1960s reacting to music on the radio.
- Guest actors include Alan Bennett, Harriet Walter, René Auberjonois, Elizabeth McGovern, and Alfred Molina.
- The final episode closes with a return to the 'future' setting of the framing device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ashenden (TV series)?
It is a four-part British spy drama that aired on BBC1 in late 1991, adapting W. Somerset Maugham's 1927 novel about a journalist turned wartime intelligence operative.
Who stars in Ashenden (TV series) and who directed it?
Alex Jennings plays the eponymous British agent, while Christopher Morahan helmed the production behind the camera.
What novel is Ashenden (TV series) based on?
The series is an adaptation of Maugham's 1927 spy novel *Ashenden: Or the British Agent*, which follows a reporter recruited into British intelligence during the First World War.
When did Ashenden (TV series) broadcast and on which channel?
The four episodes ran on BBC1, premiering on 17 November 1991 and concluding on 8 December 1991.
What is the framing device in Ashenden (TV series)?
The narrative is bookended by an elderly Ashenden living in France in the mid-1960s, who reacts with irritation to music on his radio before the story flashes back to his wartime espionage.
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