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Eddie Izzard, Joanne Whalley, Hugo Speer and Kerry Fox head the cast of 40, a powerful three-part drama by Bryan Elsley (The Young Person’s Guide To Becoming A Rock Star, The Crow Road, Nature Boy, Rose & Maloney).<br/>

40 revolves around seven people whose lives are intimately linked by their hidden sexual and emotional secrets. Provocative and explicit, 40 deals with the pleasure as well as the pain of giving in to others, coming to terms with yourself and the shocking consequences of owning up.



Episode 1: Anita (Nimmy Marsh) and her friend Joanne plan a school reunion in Bristol. Four weeks before the date, they send out invitations, but not to Anita's troublesome ex, Ralph (Eddie Izzard). Aware that he has been left off the list, Ralph travels to Bristol and re-opens old wounds in their relationship. Anita and Ralph meet their old school friend Gregory (Mark Benton), who is lonely and overweight, and has a slightly mysterious past. Gregory decides to move in on Anita. Fellow former pupil Rob's (Hugo Speer) marriage to his wife Maggie (Kerry Fox) is faltering. On a work visit to a meat factory, he meets Kristina, a young illegal immigrant. He starts to follow her.



Episode 2: The second episode of 40 kicks off three months before the school reunion and establishes the background to the events in episode one. Years ago, Anita (Nimmy Marsh) gave up the baby she and Ralph (Eddie Izzard) had for adoption. Now she asks Ralph to find their missing child. The truth about Gregory's (Mark Benton) mysterious past is revealed. Rob (Hugo Speer) and Maggie (Kerry Fox) visit their friends Ken and Jess (Joanne Whalley), but there is more to the two couples' friendship than meets the eye. Gregory and Anita get drunk and fall into bed. And Rob's true character is revealed.



Episode 3: Ten days before the reunion, Ralph (Eddie Izzard) decides to tell Anita (Nimmy Marsh) that he has found their adopted child, who is living in Bristol. Jess (Joanne Whalley) feels estranged from her husband, Ken - something is eating at her and threatens to destroy their marriage. On the night of the party, Kristina escapes from the camp in order to meet Rob (Hugo Speer). As they make love, events get out of control, with horrific consequences. Ralph forms a strange co-dependent relationship with Rob's daughter, Amy, at the party. Anita bumps into Gregory's (Mark Benton) former lover in London. She is very surprised by what she finds. And Ralph's life and career fall apart, but he has discovered that there is more to life than money and power. For him the path of love doesn't run straight, but it will run true.

Programme Information

  • Genre: Drama

  • Subgenre: Series

  • Producers: COMPANY PICTURES

  • Broadcaster: Channel 4 UK

  • Duration: 3 x 50'

  • Tags: Drama Series

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