- Title: The Rector's Wife
- Date: 3rd March 1994
- Summary: When Peter Bouverie (Jonathon Coy), the Rector of a small rural parish deep in the heart of the Engligh shires, fails to gain promotion to archdeacon, it is a bitter pill for both himself and his family to swallow. His wife, Anna (Lindsay Duncan), finds it difficult to console him and their two children, Flora (Lucy Dawson) and Luke (Simon Fenton) also have their reasons to be disappointed. Anna had hoped that Peter's additional income as archdeacon would enable her to remove Flora from the local state school where her classmates are making like a misery. While Luke had been hoping to accompany a group of friends overland to India during the summer holidays. The parishioners of Loxford are sympathetic, but, a the same time, pleased that the Bouveries will be staying. Meanwhile, there is a buzz of expectation around the village with the arrival of Patrick O'Sullivan (Miles Anderson) the new owner of The Old Rectory, the find period residence which overlooks the church and the charmless, sixties red-brick rectory that is home for the Bouveries. The gloom that hangs over the Bouveries is lifted somewhat with the arrival of Anna's mother Laura (Joyce Redman). She encourages Anna to take the initiative and fight back against the adversity of the situation they find themselves in. Anna responds by taking a job at a supermarket in the nearby market town of Woodborough but when Peter discovers he is further humiliated thinking it inappropriate work for a rector's wife. However, Anna reassures him that the job will in no way diminish the efforts she puts into her parochial duties, but clearly their relationship is beginning to come under increasing pressure. Patrick becomes aware of his attractive neighbour but before making contact with her he receives a brief, welcoming visit from Peter. Meanwhile, Anna also receives a visitor at work in the form of Daniel Byrne (Ronald Pickup), the new archdeacon. He drives her home from the supermarket to meet Peter for the first time, a meeting which is uncomfortable for all concerned. But there is even more discomfort ahead for Anna when she is discovered stacking shelves by a very disapproving Mrs Richardson (Prunella Scales), a leading light in parish affairs.
- Description:For twenty years Anna Bouverie has been the dutiful wife of a priest,submergingher will for the sake of the parish,until pressures at home force her to behavein a very unexpected and shocking way.
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Documentary and Factual
- Producer:TALISMAN FILMS LTD
- Programme Episode:Episode 1
- Transmission Date:03/03/1994
- Rights:On Request
- Decade: 1990s