Mrs Biggs: episode guide

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Episode 3

UK: September 19, 2012
Australia: tba
Written by Jeff Pope
Directed by Paul Whittington

Urged by Ron to do 'whatever it takes' to keep herself happy, Charmian embarks on an ill advised affair with Alan.

When she falls pregnant she can't risk an abortion at a clinic and has to use a back street abortionist. She falls seriously ill but manages to pull through.

Then she hears the news she's been waiting for — Ron is planning to escape. She helps organize the attempt, getting money to the gang helping Ron and giving herself a cast iron alibi by taking the boys to Whipsnade Zoo.

The escape attempt succeeds spectacularly and Ron becomes Britain's most wanted man. Charmian is put under close observation but she bides her time and finally, after being separated from him for almost a year, meets up with Ron in Paris.

His appearance alarms her, he has undergone crude and largely unsuccessful plastic surgery. They talk about the life they had together and Charmian wonders if they will ever be able to return to it. Ron tells her she must keep faith. He is planning on them all starting a new life in Australia. It will cost him over half of his robbery money, but they will be able to turn over a fresh leaf in a country that asks no questions. A country big enough for them to lose themselves in.

Six months later Charmian arrives with the boys in Darwin, but Ron is not there to meet her. Forced to spend the night on camp beds in the airport toilet, she considers getting the next plane home.

But then Ron turns up at her hotel — it's all been a misunderstanding. He was at the airport but she looked right through him (in fact she hadn't seen him), and he thought she was giving him a signal.

The family buy a car and set off through the outback to Adelaide, where Ron has lined up work and a rented home. Charmian soon falls pregnant again and the family live a tightrope, constantly trying not to let slip their true identities.

But Ron gets a job and when baby Farley arrives they appear to be settling back into normal family life. Then Reynolds is arrested in the UK… bringing sharp focus to the fact that their past could catch up on them at any moment.

Cast:

  • Sheridan Smith as Charmian Biggs
  • Daniel Mays as Ronald Biggs
  • Jack Lowden as Alan Wright
  • Claire Rushbrook as Ruby Wright
  • Dorian Lough as Paul Seabourne
  • Elizabeth Edmonds as Mrs. Baker
  • Oscar Sanders as Nicky Biggs
  • Leo Gregory as Eric Flower
  • Blake Nicholson as Twiz
  • Michael Anthony Taylor as American Passenger
  • Hunter Perske as Customs Officer
  • Libby Gott as Airport Employee
  • Mick Alford as Car Salesman
  • Denise Roberts as Annie Pitcher
  • Jamie Croft as Sam
  • Freya Stafford as Julie Flower
  • Alex Borg as Doctor Boyd