In 2005 ITV aired the 1920’s period thriller Malice Aforethought, based on the 1931 novel of the same name by Frances Iles. Richard plays the supporting role of solicitor Bill Chatford. Bill returns from his honeymoon with his pretty wife Ivy (Lucy Brown), only to discover she was the village physician Dr. Bickleigh’s mistress before their marriage.
Bickleigh (Ben Miller) whose own wife is a harpy several years his senior, has a dilemma. His current amour, Madeleine, wants a ring on her finger and will not settle for being the other woman. And so he plots to poison the wife.
This isn’t a murder mystery, as there is never any doubt “whodunit.” But will Bickleigh get away with it? Or will Bill, who is suspicious of the circumstances surrounding the death of the doctor’s wife, get the evidence to prove Bickleigh’s guilt? Will there be more victims?

The Case of the Suspicious Solicitor: Bill (RA) is certain his wife's former lover has been up to no good. But can he prove it?
As Richard himself says, there is a thread of dark humor (dark humor, I like) running through the production, and Ben Miller is particularly good in the role of the womanizing murderer. You will also recognize the lovely actress Lucy Brown, who played Ann Latimer in N&S, as Ivy. Bill may be, as Richard describes the character, a “misogynistic cad,” but he sure looks swell in his tennis whites. He wears a thin mustache and frequently bears a resemblance to Guy in a definitely disdainful mood.
I always seem to enjoy period mysteries/thrillers/dramas like this. MA offers a literate script, talented cast, lovely 20’s-era costumes and a glimpse of a time long past of garden parties, games of croquet and lawn tennis in a charming English village. MA is available on DVD on both Region 1 and Region 2 formats and I believe it is also available through Netflix.
(screencaps courtesy of RANet)
This is one I have not seen ( This,Macbeth, RH S3 and Spooks S9).Okay so there is a few I have not seen but that gives me something to look forward too. I will definitely get it now.
I haven’t got round to this one either.. So, I take it, poor Ms. Brown got to speak some lines in this one whereas I can’t remember her having any dialogue in the role of Miss Latimer! Btw, RA manages to look gorgeous even with that unflattering moustache, just HOW does he do it????
Yes, she does actually have some dialogue this time around. ๐ I know. That mustache is hardly my favorite look on him, and yet–my, how attractive he is! I even like his purple-striped PJs. And he looks so angelic when he’s “sleeping.”
I saw this a few years ago. I don’t remember a great deal about it except I kept wanting to fast forward to RA’s part. It was when they were still adjusting my meds and without it my brain gets fuzzy! (Brain fog, just another delightful drawback to thyroid problems!) I didn’t even recognize the actress Lucy Brown! I think I need to watch it again! But then again, any excuse will do to watch Richard!
Fedorlady, I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful work you do in keeping this blog for us, the videos, the fanfic, etc I am sure it is work, but you are so creative and you have really created a welcoming place to admire and enjoy our fandom. You along with the other F3 bloggers really need to take a bow.
Thank you, Gracie! That is really kind of you. ๐ Truth be told, in recent years, if I hadn’t had the creative outlets offered through this fandom, I think I would have gone crazy. It’s helped me through personal and family illnesses, deaths, financial pinches, work stress and now recovery from an accident and dealing with unemployment. You who read and comment here are also helping me, so it is a two-way street. I think all of us who blog about Richard do it as an outlet, a labor of love and as an enjoyable way to share our affection/addiction with others. You meet a lot of interesting, bright, lovely people. ๐
Thank you once again for that mad RA week Angie ! You can be really proud of you. Take care of you because we need you and …. vous savez que vous avez dรฉjร une place dans nos coeurs !
Oh, thank you, Nadia. ๐
Definately on my list of things to watch. Thanks for reminding me, Fedoralady!
Thank you too for your fabulous posts ! Triple hourra for the United Nations of Richard Armitage’s Lovers !!!!!
Yay! It’s wonderful to be part of the Wonderful World of Armitage Admiration, or, as Antonia Romera calls us: Richardettes! ๐
Thanks so much Nadia, it was a pleasure and a real joy to read your comments! ๐
Richardette, that sounds awesome! Love it! ๐
I’m sure Antonia will be happy to hear that! She’s a ball of positive energy, that one ๐