TV Preview: Bouquet of Barbed Wire

ITV’s highly anticipated remake of the 1970s risqué series about a father’s obsession and love for his daughter.

ITV’s highly anticipated remake of the 1970s risqué series about a father’s obsession and love for his daughter. Andrea Newman wrote the novel Bouquet of Barbed Wire in 1969 and within a few short years it was adapted for television by London Weekend Television in 1976. It starred Susan Penhaligon, James Aubrey, Frank Finlay and Deborah Grant and while critically acclaimed was highly risqué for the time – it’s subject matter still taboo today. A sequel was filmed in 1977 titled Another Bouquet with a novelisation following shortly afterwards. Andrea Newman adapted her novel for LWT and also wrote the sequel.

Now several decades on ITV have decided to remake Bouquet of Barbed Wire as a three-part drama. It stars Waking the Dead’s Trevor Eve as Peter Manson, a father who becomes obsessed with his daughter, Prue – played by Imogen Poots. Spooks and Kingdom actress Hermione Norris plays Cassie Manson with Tom Riley as Gavin Sorenson, the man that Prue plans to marry and is pregnant by. The series also stars Lost in Austen/Hex actress Jemima Rooper and has been adapted for ITV by Guy Andrews whose previously credits include Lost in Austen and Prime Suspect.

In the opening episode Peter and Gavin Manson discover their daughter Prue is pregnant with the child of her teacher, Gavin. Prue wants to drop out of school and marry Gavin but Peter doubts Gavin’s intentions. Peter’s love for his daughter is strong – even obsessional – but he can’t help but think there is more to Gavin than meets the eye. Peter begins to wonder if Gavin has a personal grudge against him.

Bouquet of Barbed Wire ITV1 at 9pm.