A grieving widow discovers that her seemingly ideal husband lived many secret lives.A grieving widow discovers that her seemingly ideal husband lived many secret lives.A grieving widow discovers that her seemingly ideal husband lived many secret lives.
- Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
- 10 nominations total
Browse episodes
Featured reviews
This BBC drama is centred on Alison Wilson, a woman who lives happily with her husband and their two sons... until her husband dies and a man comes to the door stating that he is the son of Mr Wilson's wife... who he never divorced despite what he told Alison. Alison is determined to discover the truth and as she investigates she learns more of her late husband's secrets. Intertwined with her investigations we see flashbacks of how she met during the war when both worked for the Intelligence Services... something that explains many of his lies.
This is one of those dramas that would seem somewhat far-fetched if it wasn't based on real events. That reality is emphasised by the fact that the actress portraying Alison Wilson is none other than her actual granddaughter Ruth Wilson. She does a really good job in the role and is ably supported by a quality cast that includes Keeley Hawes, Iain Glen, Fiona Shaw and Ian McElhinney. The story is populated with interesting characters and provides some impressive twists and surprises. Overall I'd definitely recommend this drama; the story may be personal in nature but it feels like a mystery or spy thriller at times.
This is one of those dramas that would seem somewhat far-fetched if it wasn't based on real events. That reality is emphasised by the fact that the actress portraying Alison Wilson is none other than her actual granddaughter Ruth Wilson. She does a really good job in the role and is ably supported by a quality cast that includes Keeley Hawes, Iain Glen, Fiona Shaw and Ian McElhinney. The story is populated with interesting characters and provides some impressive twists and surprises. Overall I'd definitely recommend this drama; the story may be personal in nature but it feels like a mystery or spy thriller at times.
I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. I thought it was well paced and very interesting. Three episodes to tell this true story was just right or would have dragged on. Ruth Wilson was superb . Must've been so tough playing her fathers mum lol . Incredible story . The closing scene was so emotional and score was amazing . Very moving .Well worth a watch .
This is a very interesting limited TV series inspired by the life of lead actor/producer, Ruth Wilson's grandmother. Well told and well performed with intricate twists and turns, all the more fascinating as you are always aware that it must have been bizarre for Ruth Wilson to walk in her grandmother's shoes. Fantastic cast. I give this series an 8.5 (captivating) out of 10. {BioPic Mystery}
The BBC proved once again that 2018 has really been the year for drama, Mrs Wilson follows the likes of Killing Eve, The Bodyguard, with another exceptional series, Mrs Wilson. A show that must have been incredibly close to home for the lead actress, Ruth Wilson.
The story was fascinating, the way it was told was captivating, how on Earth could someone you love so much, hide so much? Fascinating, it just gets deeper and more complicated with each scene.
The performances all round are excellent, but the problem is, that when Ruth Wilson is on screen, she's just so captivating, that it's hard to focus on anything else, she really is that good.
Superbly acted, fantastic production values, and a captivating story, if I had one criticism, I would say I think it could have been done over two parts.
Excellent. 8/10
The story was fascinating, the way it was told was captivating, how on Earth could someone you love so much, hide so much? Fascinating, it just gets deeper and more complicated with each scene.
The performances all round are excellent, but the problem is, that when Ruth Wilson is on screen, she's just so captivating, that it's hard to focus on anything else, she really is that good.
Superbly acted, fantastic production values, and a captivating story, if I had one criticism, I would say I think it could have been done over two parts.
Excellent. 8/10
This was a three-part miniseries, each episode about 55 minutes, now available via streaming services.
Back around 1940 a 20-ish young lady began working in London as a typist for a secret wartime surveillance operation. Her work required her to type for a distinguished older gentlemen, Alex Wilson. After her residence was damaged in a bombing raid he took her in, they became lovers, they were married, they eventually had two sons, the younger being Nigel. But that is only the beginning, Alex led a life was filled with secrets.
That young lady was Alison and after she was married became Alison Wilson, the series is partly based on a memoire she wrote in the mid-1960s as a way to tell her sons the truth of their father. Of note the actress Ruth Wilson is the real-life granddaughter of Alison and the younger son Nigel depicted in the series became Ruth's father. At the end of the last episode we see photos of everyone and it is clear that Ruth Wilson inherited her distinctive upper lip from her dad. (Not a criticism, to me Ruth is a real beauty.)
This is a very well made and intriguing almost 3-hour series. Ruth Wilson of course is superb and her comments about playing her own grandmother are very interesting and worth looking up on the internet. Search "Ruth Wilson on playing her grandmother."
My wife and I watched it on Amazon streaming via Roku.
Back around 1940 a 20-ish young lady began working in London as a typist for a secret wartime surveillance operation. Her work required her to type for a distinguished older gentlemen, Alex Wilson. After her residence was damaged in a bombing raid he took her in, they became lovers, they were married, they eventually had two sons, the younger being Nigel. But that is only the beginning, Alex led a life was filled with secrets.
That young lady was Alison and after she was married became Alison Wilson, the series is partly based on a memoire she wrote in the mid-1960s as a way to tell her sons the truth of their father. Of note the actress Ruth Wilson is the real-life granddaughter of Alison and the younger son Nigel depicted in the series became Ruth's father. At the end of the last episode we see photos of everyone and it is clear that Ruth Wilson inherited her distinctive upper lip from her dad. (Not a criticism, to me Ruth is a real beauty.)
This is a very well made and intriguing almost 3-hour series. Ruth Wilson of course is superb and her comments about playing her own grandmother are very interesting and worth looking up on the internet. Search "Ruth Wilson on playing her grandmother."
My wife and I watched it on Amazon streaming via Roku.
Did you know
- TriviaRuth Wilson plays her own grandmother, Alison Wilson. Based on real-life events, the series follows Alison Wilson who discovers secrets about her husband Alexander 'Alec' Wilson after he dies unexpectedly in 1963. Alison and Alec's younger son, Nigel, is Ruth's father.
- GoofsMany of the street scenes occur during the period of the Blitz (in London) where draconian lighting restrictions for public road traffic. Buses are shown with all lights blazing away normally, both inside views and exterior views, and no windows are netted to protect passengers and crew from blast damage. No vehicles have masked headlights, either.
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Mrs Wilson
- Filming locations
- Northern Ireland(location)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content