Anyone watching / watched “A very British scandal”?

Yes, I nearly watched episode 2 on catchup but decided to watch it tonight. I thought it was very good.

Yes, I've only watched the first episode. It is a story I know nothing about I have to say.

I’ve just watched all three episodes and thought it excellent. The acting and surroundings depicted that era. I was 13 at the time and vaguely remember the story through the newspapers.

Oh I read about it and the story sounded really interesting, I am glad it was good, I must have a look.

I read an article that said people forget how frowned upon divorce was back then. My dad divorced his first wife and my mum was very embarrassed telling me about it when I was in my teens ( I thought she was going to tell me I was adopted!). It had been a very unhappy marriage and there was no adultery or anything like involved but mum was very ashamed of it and didn’t want people to know. One of the many things that I wish I’d asked my mum about before she died.

Yes and I remember it being in the papers.

Of course, Margaret was vilified in those days!

My aunt was divorced but it was never mentioned.

We are enjoying the programme and I too remember the scandal at the time

I watched it all last night, as I couldn't sleep (and craved some 'me time when everyone had gone to bed?).

I thought it was very good. I felt really sorry for Margaret - she was never going to win against the sexism of the time.

MayBee70, I had a similar experience. My grandparents were divorced, and I knew nothing about it until I was 15, when my grandmother came back from abroad and wanted to meet my father (and her grandchildren). Even then I was sworn to secrecy - it just wasn't talked about.

Yes. Almost finished 2nd episode. Had to pause to watch Corrie. I visited Inveraray Castle many years ago so was interested. Both enjoying it. What a way to live. Felt sorry for the children.

It’s fascinating. I did remember hearing about it but didn’t really know the whole story. Extremely well acted and, I suspect, still happens today in some circles. I shall wait for tomorrow’s programme.

Margaret was the villain at the time but:
The writer Norman Mailer, who married the Duke of Argyll’s daughter from a previous marriage, described him as “one of the coldest, nastiest men I’ve ever known”

History Extra

I remember the case and it being in the papers, but that is all. At school (boarding) we only got the Daily Telegraph and that was notorious for reporting all the most salacious divorces in great detail.

Loving it

I am watching it with interest, although it concerns a most unpleasant set of people of which the Duchess was a prominent member. Not quite the victim of patriarchy as she is being portrayed, but entitled and amoral with few redeeming features, as was her husband. She was born with wealth, beauty and intelligence and wasted it all.

Clare Foy is lovely but I never thought the Duchess of Argyll was beautiful.

Watched the first two episodes and although I think it's well acted I find all the characters irritating. I Googled the Duchess off Argyle to find out more and found she had an abortion at 15, the child was David Niven's. I couldn't help thinking how many girls without her money ruined their lives with an illegitimate child.

Allegedly, trisher

How old was David Niven at the time of the alleged pregnancy?

17 - both children in the eyes of the law

Christ 15 years old. Poor child.

I think Claire Foy is way too pretty to play the hard looking Margaret. But then perhaps back in the day, Margaret was considered beautiful.

It was a cause célebre in Scotland when I was doing a Dip Ed course in Edinburgh, so I remember seeing the headlines and reading accounts in the Scotsman. With DS and his partner, I binge watched the 3 episodes today and - would you believe it? - I fell asleep for the last half hour! Nevertheless, I did find it fascinating. Claire Fox sounded just as she did when playing the Queen!

Claire Fox sounded just as she did when playing the Queen!

Wasn't Margaret brought up in America?

Galaxy

Christ 15 years old. Poor child.

Yes, I agree.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that despite the wealth and luxury, many of the aristocracy lived miserable lives with absolutely prescribed roles and expectations, and severe penalties for over-stepping the mark.

The Duke of Argyll comes across as a monster. Margaret is no angel, but she doesn't appear to have deserved the treatment she got.

A friend of mine had an abortion at just a little bi