Channel 4’s epic new ten-part period drama tells the story of the decline of the British Empire and the birth of modern India.
Set against the sweeping grandeur of the Himalayas and tea plantations of Northern India, Indian Summers stars Julie Walters (Harry Potter), Henry Lloyd-Hughes (The Inbetweeners), Jemima West (The Borgias), Nikesh Patel (Bedlam), Roshan Seth (Ghandi) and Lillete Dubey (Monsoon Wedding).
The cast also includes Alexander Cobb (Mr Selfridge), Craig Parkinson (Line of Duty), Fiona Glascott (Episodes), Amber Rose Revah (What Remains), Aysha Kala (Shameless), Olivia Grant (Legacy) and Edward Hogg (The Borgias).
> Order Indian Summers on DVD on Amazon.
It’s the summer of 1932. India dreams of independence, but the British are clinging to power. In the foothills of the Himalayas stands Simla; a little England where the British power-brokers of this nation are posted to govern during the warmer months. Revealing a tangled web of passions, rivalries and clashes that define the lives of those brought together in the shadow of the mountains, this is a summer that will change everything.
Episode 1
Sunday 15 February 2015, 9pm
Ralph Whelan (Henry Lloyd Hughes) and the rest of the Indian Civil Service begin the annual move to Simla. Ralph’s sister Alice (Jemima West) returns to India, while the doyenne of British society Cynthia Coffin (Julie Walters) prepares the exclusively white British Club for the start of the summer season.
The train to Simla is delayed, however, when a young boy is found collapsed on the railway tracks. Local missionary Dougie (Craig Parkinson) and his assistant Leena (Amber Rose Revah) seek medical attention for the child, leaving behind Dougie’s furious wife Sarah (Fiona Glascott).
Meanwhile, a mysterious assassin makes his way to Simla, leading to a bloody start to the summer season.
Episode 2
Sunday 22 February 2015, 9pm
The fallout from the shooting reverberates around Simla and a curfew is put in place to deal with the supposed terrorist threat. The arrival of a journalist causes trouble for Ralph (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) when he attempts to uncover the truth behind the assassination attempt.
Tensions between Ralph and Alice (Jemima West) continue to escalate. Ian (Alexander Cobb) is shocked to learn of his uncle’s financial difficulties. Eugene (Edward Hogg) and Cynthia (Julie Walters) conspire to push Madeleine (Olivia Grant) and Ralph closer together.
Sarah (Fiona Glascott) becomes suspicious of Alice’s past and begins some detective work to uncover the real reasons behind her move to India.
Episode 3
Sunday 1 March 2015, 9pm
It’s the Sipi Fair in Simla, the only time in the year when the Indian community are allowed onto the grounds of the British Club. However, Ralph (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) and Cynthia (Julie Walters) are more distracted by the upcoming inquest.
Ralph conspires to get Aafrin (Nikesh Patel) onside by granting him a highly sought after promotion, while Cynthia’s attempts to coerce Alice (Jemima West) lead to further tension between Alice and Ralph. Sooni (Aysha Kala) finds herself in serious trouble when’s she’s arrested at a pro-independence rally.
Sarah (Fiona Glascott) decides to retake control of her marriage and confronts Leena (Amber Rose Revah) at the Sipi Fair. Armitage’s (Richard McCabe) attempts to ignore his growing debt crisis finally come to a head.
Episode 4
Sunday 8 March 2015, 9pm
There’s much excitement in Simla as the Viceroy (Patrick Malahide) arrives for the first of his summer visits. Ralph (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) is troubled when he discovers that the only piece of evidence that linked Chandru Mohan to the Congress Party has gone missing.
Aafrin (Nikesh Patel) is in danger when he discovers that Ralph has planned to a search the properties of all those who had access to the stolen piece of evidence. Ian (Alexander Cobb) is forced to grow up very quickly when he receives some sad news about his uncle.
Eugene (Edward Hogg) threatens to return to Chicago with Madeleine (Olivia Grant). And Sarah (Fiona Glascott) receives news from England that sheds light on Alice’s (Jemima West) mysterious past.
Episode 5
Sunday 15 March 2015, 9pm
Ralph’s (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) attempts to take advantage of divisions within the Indian communities to further the British agenda prove risky when he invites a member of the Untouchable community to a lavish party held at Viceregal Lodge in honour of his engagement.
Cynthia (Julie Walters) is left reeling when Eugene (Edward Hogg) makes a revelation about his family’s finances. Sarah (Fiona Glascott) uses her knowledge of Alice’s (Jemima West) secret past to blackmail her friend, placing Alice in a very difficult position.
Ian (Alexander Cobb) receives a job offer from an unexpected source. Alice threatens to tell Ralph the truth about Aafrin’s (Nikesh Patel) role in the disappearance of the congress card. A face from Ralph’s past comes back to haunt him.
Episode 6
Sunday 22 March 2015, 9pm
The pressure continues to mount on Ralph (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) as Jaya (Hasina Haque) reveals the real reason for her visit to Simla.
A mountaineer saves Alice (Jemima West), Madeleine (Olivia) and Ronnie (Rick Warden) from a perilous situation and inveigles his way into Alice’s affectations. Alice is unaware that he has an ulterior motive and when he later reveals he knows the truth about her past he leaves her in no doubt as to what exactly his silence will cost.
Darius (Roshan Seth) puts pressure on Roshana (Lillete Dubey) to accept Sita (Ellora Torchia) into the Dalal family fold. Ramu (Alyy Khan) is furious when he discovers that Jaya has stolen his late wife’s wedding dress.
Dougie (Craig Parkinson) and Sarah (Fiona Glascott) work hard to rebuild their troubled marriage.
Episode 7
Sunday 29 March 2015, 9pm
Simla is buzzing as it prepares for the annual amateur dramatic performance, but the production of The Importance of Being Earnest is overshadowed by the news that the body of a murder victim has been found in the river.
Ralph (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) is under increasing pressure when Gandhi declares a hunger strike. Ian (Alexander Cobb) inadvertently points the finger of blame for the murder at a close friend.
Aafrin (Nikesh Patel) is shocked when Sergeant Singh (Sudarshan Chandra Kumar) confronts him about the missing evidence.
Episode 8
Sunday 5 April 2015, 9pm
The British community turn out in force for the murder trial. Ian (Alexander Cobb) is wracked with guilt about Ramu’s (Alyy Khan) arrest and prepares to act as his alibi.
Sooni (Aysha Kala) takes advantage of the trial to gain some much-needed legal experience. Leena (Amber Rose Revah) is torn apart in the witness box, causing Dougie (Craig Parkinson) to publicly support her, a move which humiliates Sarah (Fiona Glascott).
Ralph (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) is terrified that the truth of Adam’s (Shachin Sailesh Kumar) paternity will be revealed, while Aafrin (Nikesh Patel) finally admits his feelings for Alice (Jemima West).
Episode 9
Sunday 12 April 2015, 9pm
As Simla prepares for the arrival of a powerful Nawab, Madeleine (Olivia Grant) is dealt some devastating news. Alice (Jemima West) is terrified when Sarah (Fiona Glascott) threatens to tell everyone at the Club that Alice’s husband is still alive.
Sergeant Singh (Sudarshan Chandra Kumar) discovers an incriminating note from Aafrin (Nikesh Patel) to Sita (Ellora Torchia) which he uses to blackmail Aafrin into joining their terrorist group. Aafrin is warned about the dangers of having a relationship with a British woman.
The recent tensions between Ralph (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) and Cynthia (Julie Walters) come to a head, leading to a bitter row between the pair and leaving their relationship in tatters.
Episode 10
Sunday 19 April 2015, 9pm
It’s the end of the summer season and Ramu Sood’s (Alyy Khan) fate is left in Ralph’s (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) hands. Now he knows the truth behind the murder, will he let an innocent man hang?
A vote takes place at the club to lift the colour bar, and although Ronnie (Rick Warden) tells Cynthia (Julie Walters) that it was on Willingdon’s orders, Cynthia knows that it is an act of vengeance by Ralph following their recent argument.
Alice (Jemima West) and Aafrin (Nikesh Patel) prepare to go public with their relationship, but will the news be as welcomed as they think? Sarah (Fiona Glascott) is distraught as she prepares to say goodbye to India and her husband.
> Order Indian Summers on DVD on Amazon.
Watch the trailer…
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