The Jewel in the Crown ambient background
CinebyCineby
The Jewel in the Crown backdrop

The Jewel in the Crown

The Jewel in the Crown
★ 6.5/10•1984•50m•TV-14•Drama
Similars

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.

Paul Scott · Writer

Irene Shubik · Writer

Ken Taylor · Writer

StatusEnded
Runtime50m
LanguageEN
First Air DateJan 9, 1984

Episodes

Episode 1 - Crossing the RiverE1106m

Crossing the River

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.

Jan 9, 1984

Episode 2 - The Bibighar GardensE252m

The Bibighar Gardens

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.

Jan 10, 1984

Episode 3 - Questions of LoyaltyE351m

Questions of Loyalty

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.

Jan 17, 1984

Episode 4 - Incidents at a WeddingE452m

Incidents at a Wedding

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.

Jan 24, 1984

Episode 5 - The Regimental SilverE551m

The Regimental Silver

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.

Jan 31, 1984

Episode 6 - Ordeal by FireE652m

Ordeal by Fire

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.

Feb 7, 1984

Episode 7 - Daughters of the RegimentE752m

Daughters of the Regiment

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.

Feb 14, 1984

Episode 8 - The Day of the ScorpionE852m

The Day of the Scorpion

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?

Feb 21, 1984

Episode 9 - The Towers of SilenceE952m

The Towers of Silence

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.

Feb 28, 1984

Episode 10 - An Evening at the Maharanee'sE1053m

An Evening at the Maharanee's

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.

Mar 6, 1984

Episode 11 - Travelling CompanionsE1152m

Travelling Companions

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.

Mar 13, 1984

Episode 12 - The Moghul RoomE1252m

The Moghul Room

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.

Mar 20, 1984

Episode 13 - Pandora's BoxE1352m

Pandora's Box

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.

Mar 27, 1984

Episode 14 - The Division of the SpoilsE1451m

The Division of the Spoils

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.

Apr 3, 1984

Actors

Tim Pigott-Smith

Tim Pigott-Smith

Ronald Merrick

Recommendations

Murder in a Small Town
Lady Chatterley
Joan
Little Disasters
If Tomorrow Comes
The Rainmaker
Army Wives
Sanditon
Nuremberg
Dangerous Liaisons
Foyle's War
SkyMed
Agatha Christie's Poirot
Roots: The Next Generations
Return to Eden
London Kills
Little Dorrit
Bleak House
Flowers in the Attic: The Origin
I, Claudius

Similars

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
The Flatshare
Rough Cut
Lies Hidden in My Garden
Glue
The End of Love
Cilla
The Little Murders of Agatha Christie
The Driver
Pride and Prejudice
Tales from the Neverending Story
Father Brown
Murder Call
Gossip Girl
Game of Thrones
Hell on Wheels
Boyfriend on Demand
The Passing Bells
Olive Kitteridge
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit