British Comedy Guide
Hope Springs. Image shows from L to R: Hannah Temple (Sian Reeves), Ellie Lagden (Alex Kingston), Shoo Coggan (Christine Bottomley), Josie Porritt (Vinette Robinson). Copyright: Shed Productions
Hope Springs

Hope Springs

  • TV comedy drama
  • BBC One
  • 2009
  • 8 episodes (1 series)

Eight-part comedy drama about four female ex-cons trying to go straight. Stars Alex Kingston, Vinette Robinson, Christine Bottomley, Sian Reeves, Annette Crosbie and more.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 8

Ellie and the others are forced to face up to their criminal past in the final episode of the series.

Further details

Hope Springs. Image shows from L to R: Josie Porritt (Vinette Robinson), Shoo Coggan (Christine Bottomley), Ellie Lagden (Alex Kingston), Sadie Cairncross (Annette Crosbie). Copyright: Shed Productions

Having discovered the dead body is hit man Marius, policeman Gil questions the shamed women - he wants the truth. Ellie makes the shocking confession that they're ex-convicts on the run from her vengeful husband, Roy, whom they conned out of £3m and framed for handling stolen goods.

Meanwhile, in prison, Roy strikes a deal for a quick release, determined to take revenge on his double-crossing wife and her friends, Hannah, Shoo and Josie.

Back at the hotel, Gil is overwhelmed by their confessions but Ellie reassures him he knows the whole truth now. Gil, however, discovers a pregnant Ann Marie is being held captive by the gang and promptly arrests the women - including Sadie.

At the station, Gil corroborates the gang's stories. But things are further complicated when he discovers two Scotland Yard detectives are on their way to Hope Springs suspecting a link to the women and Marius's murder.

Having drawn up his divorce settlement, meanwhile, Euan visits Ina with the good news. But she drops a bombshell of her own - Ronan's going to tell the police everything.

Back at the hotel, Ann Marie is playing the victim in front of Euan, but he's got other things on his mind - Billy's dead body under the floorboards. Unseen by Euan, Ann Marie makes her way downstairs only to witness him digging up the corpse. Horrified, she goes into premature labour.

With the London CID in the village, the locals - Gil included - rally round to protect the women's identities. But things take a nasty turn after Roy arrives in Hope Springs, dead-set on revenge.

And when Ellie makes a grim discovery in the hotel shed, her life and the gang's future hangs precariously in the balance as their Barbados dream slips tantalisingly away.

Broadcast details

Date
Sunday 26th July 2009
Time
8pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Alex Kingston Ellie Lagden
Vinette Robinson Josie Porritt
Christine Bottomley Shoo Coggan
Sian Reeves Hannah Temple
Annette Crosbie Sadie Cairncross
Alec Newman Euan Harries
Ronni Ancona Ann-Marie Miller
Paul Higgins Gil Cameron
Lorraine McIntosh Ina Harries
Richard Madden Dean McKenzie
Tony McGeever Ronan Harries
Mark Frost Roy Lagden
Sanjeev Kohli Mo Khan
Belgit Gill Rita Khan
Guest cast
Paul Cassidy Billy McKenzie
Kelly Love Katie Watson
Gavin Baldwin DS John Neame
Nick Farr DC Peter Nottage
Writing team
Ann McManus Writer
Maureen Chadwick Writer
Liz Lake Writer
Hayley Gelling Script Editor
Production team
Brian Kelly Director
Spencer Campbell Producer
Brian Park Executive Producer
Anne Mensah Executive Producer
Sandra MacIver Executive Producer
David Cresswell Editor
Andy Harris Production Designer
Tristin Norwell Composer
Nick Green Composer

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