The Jewel in the Crown

1984 - 1984

Crossing the River

9th January 1984

Episode 1

The story begins in 1942. The Japanese are threatening to invade and Gandhi is calling on the British to quit India. In Mayapore Hari Kumar comes under suspicion of subversion by Merrick, the District Superintendent of Police. This turns to hatred when Hari begins a relationship with Daphne Manners, the object of Merrick's affections. It is the start of a chain of events binding English and Indians in a web of love, tragedy and death.

The Bibighar Gardens

10th January 1984

Episode 2

It is now August 1942. In Mayapore, Daphne and Hari draw closer together despite warnings from Ronald Merrick. Daphne and Hari quarrel and the divide between them is seemingly unbridgeable. On a night of rioting and protest Daphne has not returned home. Merrick searches for her with more than official zeal. Meanwhile Daphne finds herself drawn toward the darkness of the Bibighar Gardens and its ghosts.

Questions of Loyalty

17th January 1984

Episode 3

Hari, still keeping his promise of silence, remains in prison. Daphne has been prevented from seeing him. Regardless of the scandal and the risks, Daphne is determined to give birth to the child she believes is Hari's. On the lakes of Kashmir the sound of a baby crying arouses the curiosity of Sarah Layton-a daughter of the regiment. And in the princely state of Mirat, Teddy Bingham is asked by an ex-policeman to keep a secret.

Incidents at a Wedding

24th January 1984

Episode 4

The hasty arrangements for Susan and Teddy's wedding are threatened, but Ronald Merrick provides a solution. The Layton family gathers in Mirat as guests of its ruler, the Nawab, who may even attend the wedding. However, what should be a happy occasion is overshadowed by unexplained incidents.

The Regimental Silver

31st January 1984

Episode 5

Susan and Teddy's wedding day is a happy one, except for the strange attack on the car taking Ronald Merrick and Teddy to the church. Merrick apologises to Sarah and explains the connections between Mirat and Mayapore where Daphne was attacked. What happened on the night of the Bibighar haunts Lady Manners too.

Ordeal by Fire

7th February 1984

Episode 6

In Pankot, Sarah has to break the news of Teddy's death to Susan. Later they learn together of a brave attempt to save his life. Sarah embarks on a journey to bring comfort to a wounded man and comes face to face with the war and its pain in Calcutta.

Daughters of the Regiment

14th February 1984

Episode 7

While visiting the wounded Ronald Merrick in Calcutta, Sarah meets Jimmy Clark who later challenges many of the values by which she lives. In Pankot another daughter of the regiment confesses her own act of rebellion long ago.

The Day of the Scorpion

21st February 1984

Episode 8

Sarah returns to Pankot to find her sister Susan becoming increasingly agitated by her new baby. Merrick too is close to madness, but who will snap first?

The Towers of Silence

28th February 1984

Episode 9

Susan's baby has been rescued from the ring of fire that nearly engulfed him, but how did that awful moment leave Susan? Barbie embarks on a generous mission but is turned back by an appalling discovery. Meanwhile, the Laytons have moved into Rose Cottage, but the shadow of events in Calcutta darkens this home-coming.

An Evening at the Maharanee's

Episode 10

It is 1945. Colonel Layton has been released from prison camp. Sarah visits Barbie in hospital then goes to Bombay to welcome him home. Also in Bombay, Sergeant Guy Perron of Military Intelligence is quickly drawn into a web of intrigue by Major Ronald Merrick. A web not only to catch traitors, but to bind the Laytons too. At a strange party Guy widens his circle of friends with far reaching consequences.

Travelling Companions

13th March 1984

Episode 11

On 6th August 1945 Barbie lies in hospital in Rampur. Sarah meets Guy in Bombay, after which she and her father travel to Pankot for his home-coming. There are other travellers who make the journey north with them, two old school fellows and a recently promoted Lt. Colonel. A number of questions need to be answered about loyalty, whether Merrick has finally met his match in Guy and whether it is time for another marriage.

The Moghul Room

20th March 1984

Episode 12

Merrick, having blackmailed an orderly to gain access to Susan's records, is recalled to Delhi at the end of the war. Guy and Sarah find that their friendship with Hari is drawing them together.

Pandora's Box

27th March 1984

Episode 13

In August 1947 Guy Perron returns to India on the eve of independence to observe the last days of British rule. He discovers that Merrick had married Susan but was subsequently killed in a riding accident. Guy questions Nigel about Merrick and discovers he was murdered.

The Division of the Spoils

Episode 14

Guy discovers the horrific details of Merricks death. He travels to Ranpur for the independence celebrations, but the train is besieged and Ahmed Kasim and other Muslims are killed.

Top Cast

Tim Pigott-Smith

Writer

Paul Scott

The Jewel in the Crown is a 1984 British television miniseries based on Paul Scott's The Raj Quartet novels. In India during the final years of British rule in World War II, an unjust arrest for rape sets off questions of identity and personal responsibility being explored against a background of war and personal intrigue. The critically acclaimed drama explores the complex relationships between the British colonizers and the Indian population, focusing on themes of cultural clash, racial tension, and the decline of the empire.

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Full Cast

Tim Pigott-Smith Image

Tim Pigott-Smith

Ronald Merrick

Full Crew

Denis Forman

Executive Producer

Milly Preece

Producer

Christopher Morahan Image

Christopher Morahan

Producer

George Fenton Image

George Fenton

Music

Paul Scott

Writer

Irene Shubik

Writer

Milly Preece

Associate Producer

Ray Goode

Director of Photography

Edward Mansell

Editor

Ken Taylor

Writer

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