Gold Digger (TV series)

Last updated

Gold Digger
GenreRomance drama
Created byMarnie Dickens
Written byMarnie Dickens
Directed by Vanessa Caswill
David Evans
Starring Julia Ormond
Ben Barnes
Alex Jennings
Jemima Rooper
Sebastian Armesto
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producersGuy de Glanville
Marnie Dickens
Sally Haynes
Elizabeth Kilgarriff
Laura Mackie
ProducerAni Kevork
CinematographyJean-Philippe Gossart
Production companyMainstreet Pictures
Original release
Network BBC One
Release12 November (2019-11-12) –
17 December 2019 (2019-12-17)

Gold Digger is a six-part drama television miniseries created and written by Marnie Dickens and starring Julia Ormond and Ben Barnes broadcast weekly from Tuesday 12 November 2019 on BBC One. Unusually for a BBC series, all episodes became available on BBC iPlayer on the day of the first episode's television broadcast and the series was broadcast internationally. The series has been described by the BBC as a contemporary relationship thriller, about second chances, family and betrayal. [1]

Contents

Premise

After putting her own life behind the lives of everyone around her, a wealthy 60-year-old woman enters into a relationship with a man half her age. Her adult children worry that he's a gold digger.

Cast and characters

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Viewers
(millions)  [2]
1"Her Boy"Vanessa CaswillMarnie Dickens12 November 2019 (2019-11-12)6.85
Julia Day is a wealthy woman and a recent divorcée who ends up spending her 60th birthday alone in London, after her three now grown-up children: Patrick, Della and Leo bail out for various reasons. Spending the afternoon at the British Museum, she meets a young man named Benjamin Greene with whom she instantly becomes smitten. They begin dating and she eventually introduces him to her children, who immediately suspect that he is a gold digger. Meanwhile, Patrick is stressed at both his work and raising his own family. He even tries to resist having an affair with one of his colleagues at work.
2"Her Daughter"Vanessa CaswillMarnie Dickens19 November 2019 (2019-11-19)6.01
Patrick, suspicious of Benjamin's intentions, decides to spy on Benjamin with his sister Della. They eventually catch Benjamin in a compromising situation which could potentially end his relationship with Julia. Meanwhile, Della struggles to come on terms with her ex-girlfriend returning to London.
3"Her Rival"Vanessa CaswillMarnie Dickens26 November 2019 (2019-11-26)5.99
While visiting Julia at her home in Devon, Benjamin meets her former best friend, Marsha, and learns of Marsha’s affair and current relationship with Julia's ex-husband, Ted. Patrick and Della pay Julia a visit where they show her evidence of Benjamin's infidelity. However, Benjamin clears up the misunderstanding after being confronted by Julia, and their relationship grows stronger. He eventually moves into her home, much to Leo's chagrin. While walking along the cliffs, Benjamin proposes to Julia who accepts.
4"Her Husband"David EvansMarnie Dickens3 December 2019 (2019-12-03)6.13
Julia informs Ted of her engagement to Benjamin. Ted retaliates by proposing to Marsha, but she rejects him because of Julia. Meanwhile, Julia announces the engagement to her children during Christmas dinner, but they are immediately against it. Determined to protect their mother's wealth, Patrick persuades Julia to sign a pre-nup. Not wanting to upset Benjamin and worried her children are right about Benjamin, Julia forges Benjamin’s signature. It is also revealed that Julia's relationship with Ted was an abusive one.
5"Her Baby"David EvansMarnie Dickens10 December 2019 (2019-12-10)6.19
While celebrating Leo's 25th birthday, Benjamin's half-brother, Kieron, shows up unexpectedly. This threatens Julia and Benjamin's relationship, since Benjamin claimed he was an only child. Believing Benjamin is hiding more than he is letting on, Julia travels to his hometown where she discovers his secret. Meanwhile, Leo befriends Kieron who inspires him to build a business venture, but Julia refuses to invest in it after being influenced by Benjamin. Leo retaliates by leaving her to live with Ted which upsets Julia.
6"Her Love"David EvansMarnie Dickens17 December 2019 (2019-12-17)6.36
It's the day of the wedding and Julia is reeling from the revelations of Benjamin's past. She flees from the wedding, but Benjamin eventually finds her. After learning Benjamin's side of the story, Julia faces the ultimate decision that will determine her future.

^α Ratings include pre-transmission.

Production

It was announced in August 2018 that Julia Ormond would be starring in the six part miniseries, commissioned by the BBC. The first three episodes of the series were directed by Vanessa Caswill. [3] Ben Barnes was cast later that month. [4] The supporting cast, including Alex Jennings, Jemima Rooper and Sebastian Armesto, was added as filming began between Devon and London. [5] Filming commenced in September 2018. [6]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the show holds an approval rating of 57%. The critical consensus reads: "Visually gorgeous and thematically ambitious, but ultimately void of cohesion, Gold Digger bites off more than it can chew." [7]

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian , however called the show "a bold and hugely entertaining attempt by writer Marnie Dickens." [8]

Adaptations

An Italian Netflix adaptation titled Deceitful Love has been announced, starring Giacomo Gianniotti and directed by Pappi Corsicato. Filming began in spring 2023 and its premiere is scheduled for 2024. [9]

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References

  1. ↑ "Gold Digger".
  2. ↑ "Weekly top programmes on four screens (from Sept 2018)". BARB. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  3. ↑ Julia Ormond to Star in BBC Thriller 'Gold Digger'
  4. ↑ ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ & ‘Westworld’s Ben Barnes To Star In BBC One Drama ‘Gold Digger’
  5. ↑ ‘The Crown’s Alex Jennings & ‘Lost in Austen’s Jemima Rooper Join BBC Drama ‘Gold Digger’
  6. ↑ "Filming Begins on BBC One's GOLD DIGGER".
  7. ↑ "Gold Digger: Miniseries". Rotten Tomatoes .
  8. ↑ Mangan, Lucy (12 November 2019). "Gold Digger review – the twisty toyboy thriller that will get everyone talking". The Guardian.
  9. ↑ Vivarelli, Nick (22 March 2023). "'Grey's Anatomy' Star Giacomo Gianniotti Set For Netflix's Italian Adaptation of 'Gold Digger' TV Series (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
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