BBC to axe 'lavish' fan favourite period drama in just days
Devotees of period dramas will be devastated to discover this overlooked 1999 gem is departing the BBC on August 2, but with mere days remaining to catch it, now is the perfect moment.
An Ideal Husband presents a tale plucked directly from the brilliant mind of the iconic Oscar Wilde, brought to life from his celebrated 1895 theatrical work. The narrative weaves a compelling tale of extortion and governmental scandal amongst high society whilst exploring what it truly means to be a 'perfect husband'.
The production benefits enormously from being stuffed with A-list talent, featuring Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver, Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore and Jeremy Northam. Their stellar turns are guided by Oliver Parker's skilled direction, the same filmmaker behind 2002's Wilde adaptation The Importance of Being Earnest.
More than 25 years after hitting cinemas, An Ideal Husband continues to earn acclaim from movie enthusiasts, boasting an impressive 85% rating on review platform Rotten Tomatoes. One glowing review says: "A delightful Oscar Wilde story with an all-star cast doing great work in a beautifully evoked period setting: that is a recipe for a delightful romantic comedy."
In this sharp social commentary, the story centres on political heavyweight Sir Robert Chiltern, portrayed by Jeremy Northam, alongside his debonair companion Lord Arthur Goring, brought to life by Rupert Everett, who enjoys an idyllic existence with his spouse, Gertrude, reports the Express.
However, both gentlemen find their worlds thrown into turmoil when a former acquaintance resurfaces - Mrs Laura Cheveley, who schemes to extort Chiltern using damning proof of his historical misdeeds.
Suddenly, everything hangs in the balance for him, including his brilliant wife, portrayed by Cate Blanchett, but it falls to the pair to tackle this pandemonium together.
As gossip starts to circulate, his standing begins to crumble and everyone begins to realise the seemingly flawless gentleman might be fundamentally corrupt beneath the surface.
Audiences cannot stop raving about the ensemble's portrayals as they breathe life into these intricate personalities on the big screen.
One review says: "Outstanding cast in this delightful comedy of high society England in the Victorian era. Rupert Everett was outstanding playing the handsome, charming ladies man... But the prize for the best acting must go to Julianne Moore."
A separate spectator penned: "A rather good adaptation of one of Wilde's best scripts delivered by a stellar cast. Jeremy Northam is fine, and one wonders why he has not done more on screen. Leisurely but smoothly directed with sumptuous art direction."
One viewer praised Rupert Everett's portrayal of Goring, stating: "Delightfully British, upper-class drollness and wit. Everett effortlessly inhabits his role, almost as if he was born to play a Wilde character."
Following the film's triumph, An Ideal Husband received multiple BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations and garnered acclaim from both industry professionals and admirers of Wilde's original literature.
The costume drama stands as the most triumphant version of this enduring tale and is regarded by countless critics as both "witty" and "entertaining."
One film reviewer captured it perfectly, declaring: "It's lavish, clever entertainment, a welcome opportunity to laugh without shame."
Audiences have mere days remaining to watch the film without charge on BBC iPlayer before it vanishes from the service on August 2.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
Gregg Wallace's replacement for final MasterChef episodes revealed
Gregg Wallace is set to be replaced by Irish chef Anna Haugh towards the end of the new MasterChef 2025 series. This decision follows an independent report substantiating 45 allegations against Wallace, including inappropriate sexual language and unwelcome physical contact. Co-host John Torode also had an allegation of racist language upheld against him, which he denies recalling. The BBC controversially decided to broadcast the 2025 series, stating it was to recognise the efforts of the amateur cooks involved. Anna Haugh will take over from Wallace after the semi-finals, while Grace Dent has already replaced him on the next series of Celebrity MasterChef.
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
With TWO disgraced presenters, BBC decision to air MasterChef is an insult to all of us and a slap in the face to everyone who has been belittled and abused on the show, says CHRISTOPHER STEVENS
How bad do things have to get before the BBC does the right thing and bins MasterChef? The return of the long-running culinary contest, after the sacking of its disgraced presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode, is an insult to licence-payers and a slap in the face for all the participants and crew who have been belittled and abused over the years. Series 21 is to air in full, supposedly because cancelling it would be unfair to this year's 60 contestants – even though one of them, Sarah Shafi, called for it to be axed. Instead, she was edited out of the show, a move that left her 'flabbergasted'. After watching the first episode, I'm flabbergasted too. It's as though the production company, Banijay, has watched the playbacks and thought: 'Don't panic! There's at least an hour of footage where Gregg has his trousers on and John says nothing racist. We're good to go!' If you've sidestepped the furore leading up to this broadcast, you might suppose I'm being facetious. But the extraordinary truth is that, following multiple complaints, Banijay carried out an investigation into Wallace's behaviour. The majority of the 83 allegations against him related to 'inappropriate' sexual language and humour – though that raises another question of whether the producers think sexual remarks and jokes are ever appropriate on a TV set. Perhaps they don't understand that 'food porn' has nothing to do with nudity. Wallace certainly didn't. Of the 45 complaints against him upheld, one related to 'unwelcome physical contact' and three to being 'in a state of undress'. In the course of their enquiries, Banijay also learned that Torode had used a racist slur. Despite protesting their innocence, both men were dropped from the show... and yet, here we are, with Wallace and Torode once again the judges. I do not believe for a second that BBC executives feel compelled to air the series as a favour to contestants, as the Corporation has suggested. The TV industry is not that sentimental. It's much more likely to be about money. The Beeb has paid for MasterChef and now it wants its pound of flesh, lightly seared and served on a bed of herby potatoes with a scatter of grated walnuts. Even now, it is entirely within the BBC's power to cancel the series. The Government would certainly support that, as would its union paymasters. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says she won't be watching. Downing Street has welcomed the BBC's decision to 'sever ties' with Wallace. And the broadcasting union Bectu has said the presenters 'should not be rewarded with prime-time coverage'. There is strong precedent, too. BBC One removed episodes of The Repair Shop from its schedule last year after presenter Jay Blades was charged with coercive and controlling behaviour against his estranged wife. Series 21 is to air in full, supposedly because cancelling it would be unfair to this year's 60 contestants – even though one of them called for it to be axed The majority of the 83 allegations against Wallace related to 'inappropriate' sexual language and humour – though that raises another question of whether the producers think sexual remarks and jokes are ever appropriate on a TV set Yet dozens remain on iPlayer, even though Blades faced two much more serious charges of rape this week. Whether he will be edited out of old episodes if found guilty, the BBC has not said. It has to be emphasised, of course, that neither Wallace nor Torode has faced a police investigation, much less criminal charges. Yet, strict action has been taken over other controversies. In 2020, Sky chiefs were horrified to realise a heavily tattooed contestant on a forthcoming reality show was actually flaunting neo-Nazi symbols. It was only when trailers for woodworking competition, The Chop, featured contestant Darren Lumsden that social media users pointed out that elements of his body art were coded displays of support for Adolf Hitler and white supremacy. Sky could have fudged the issue. Instead, they did the right thing. The Chop got the chop. The BBC lacks the common sense to follow suit. Its solution is to sieve out all but the blandest moments featuring Wallace and Torode. We see them asking innocuous questions about dishes and then grinning silently at the answers. Almost all his cheesy banter has gone. As a result, the hour is as tepid and flavourless as the water strained from a pan of spaghetti. The judges might as well be a pair of AI robots. And if MasterChef is to continue, perhaps that would be the Beeb's safest option.
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Ozzy Osbourne's final months captured in two new documentaries as BBC and Paramount 'race to air unseen footage' following his death aged 76
Two documentaries charting the final years of Ozzy Osbourne are understood to be in a race to be aired following his death at the age of 76 following a battle with Parkinson's disease. The BBC and Paramount+ are said to be producing documentaries on the Black Sabbath star after filmmakers were given access to him for the final three years of his life. According to The Sun, both broadcasters are eager to be the first one to get their documentary released because interest will be high following Ozzy's passing. A source said: 'At this stage it's looking like the BBC might just pip Paramount+ to the post. 'But both organisations are keen to be the first to get them out there because they understand just how hugely popular Ozzy was and how well received these shows will be. 'Of course, there's an element of competition there, but their main priorities are producing two shows that are respectful and that the Osbourne family approve of.' MailOnline has contacted the BBC and Paramount+ for comment. Paramount+ announced their Ozzy documentary Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now earlier this year. The company said it will be 'a deeply personal portrait of the rock legend's harsh new realities and his battle to take the stage for one final performance.' The final performance the film will document was Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning show in Birmingham on July 5 - just 17 days before the singer's death. The BBC, meanwhile, are said to be putting the final touches on their documentary - originally called Home To Roost - and will follow the Osbourne's return to live in England after years in LA. Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson's during this time but filmmakers were permitted to carry on with the documentary. A third documentary on Ozzy is said to be in the works from Sony but that is not expected to be released until next year. According to his death certificate, the singer died from an 'acute myocardial infarction' and 'out of hospital cardiac arrest'. Ozzy was laid to rest on the grounds of his own mansion in Buckinghamshire last week during a private funeral attended by his family and a host of rock royalty. His widow Sharon, 72, and their children were joined by stars including Marilyn Manson and Ozzy's lead guitarist Zakk Wylde during the event at the family's 250-acre estate near Gerrards Cross. The concert - three weeks before his death - saw him reunite with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for the first time since 2005. More than 42,000 fans packed into the venue for the Back To The Beginning show, during which he told the crowd in his final speech: 'You've no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart.'
