How Come There Aren't More Posts on This Mini-Series?

Hampshire has been in several television series since that time, notably The Pallisers, Monarch of the Glen, and The Grand. She's also continued to do stage work.

Sadly, Margaret Tyzack (Anne) passed away a couple of summers ago. She and Hampshire were close friends throughout their careers, working together on several occasions. I'll watch anything with Tyzack in it, even if it's just to see her!

John Neville (Churchill) also passed away a couple of years ago, Alan Rowe (William) died more than a decade ago, Sheila Gish (Duchess of York) died of cancer several years ago, Moira Redmond (Barbara Villiers) is also deceased, as are John Westbrook (James) and James Kerry (Monmouth).

John Standing (Godolphin) is still alive and still working. Hampshire retired so she could take care of her husband. I believe Villiers is still alive, but I haven't seen him in anything for a while.

I agree with everything you say here. An amazing series that makes the period so clear and real. It holds up very well after close to 50 years. Didn't seem dated at all. I would have great difficulty choosing favorites among the actors although a few stand out even among this marvelous cast. James Villers WAS a standout as Charles II. I posted a pic of him and a portrait of the real King and its amazing how similar they were.

Wonderful series.

I finally got to see this series a few years ago by convincing my library to purchase the DVD set because it was the very first program aired on PBS' Masterpiece Theatre. What a fantastic, epic series. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Tyzack and Hampshire. If you get a chance, try to watch the bonus feature interview with Hampshire on the region 1 (North American) dvd.

I remember my parents watching this when it was first broadcast on PBS years ago (1970?). At the time I was into Napoleonic history, and a bit of Plantagenet history, so didn't watch it along with them. Over the years (especially after reading "Forever Amber") I wanted to get a hold of this series. I managed to rent it on VHS tape in the '90s.Now it's on DVD thankfully, and I've really enjoyed it. To mention another historical novel (or trilogy, rather)--in reading Neal Stephenson's "Baroque Cycle," I could only picture John Neville as John Churchill!

had a crush on Monmouth

I’m rewatching it too; it’s been a few years and this is one of my favorites. Love the opening credits, love the music, the superb performances, beautiful costumes, and and excellent pacing. I just wish they had spent a few pounds on superior lighting and cameras.

In the bonus feature of Susan Hampshire’s interview she reports that the actors hated the dialogue and deliberately made fun of it in their performances. Apparently these scenes weren’t reshot and made it into the final cut.

I am guessing the lines about John Churchill’s spurs were among those the actors disapproved. (Cringey indeed, lol). 🤣 But I think Neville’s acting was straight up serious in their delivery. There are other scenes in which he does appear to be goofing off. I’ll try to remember to make note of them.