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Series · 1989 · Mystery

Summer's Lease

A family's holiday in Tuscany leads in intrigue and mystery in this BBC classic

★7.2 1989 1 Season John Mortimer TV-MA

Fortysomething wife and mother Molly Pargeter leads a stable but dull life in 1980s West London. She feels overweight and there is no passion in her relationship with her husband Hugh, who is secretly seeing another woman. For most of her life, Molly has found escape in detective novels and art books, especially on 15th-century Italian fresco painter Piero Della Francesca. Suddenly, in the small ads, she spots the details of a Tuscany villa to let, and after a viewing, she takes it for holiday.

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Seasons & episodes

1 season · 4 episodes

Episode 01

Villa to Let

Nov 1, 1989 · 55 min

Housewife Molly Pargeter arranges for her family to travel to a Tuscany summer rental, where she meets a variety of eccentric locals but is most fascinated by Chrissie and Buck Kettering, who own the villa.

Episode 02

Where the Water Goes

Nov 8, 1989 · 55 min

La Felicita is hit by a water shortage, forcing the Pargeters to shack up with the Ketterings.

Episode 03

A Battlefield

Nov 15, 1989 · 55 min

Molly pieces together the clues connecting Buck, Nancy and the local waterboard but her snooping draws threats from the displeased ex-pats. Meanwhile, Haverford tests his chances with his forgetful ex-flame.

Episode 04

The Urbino Trail

Nov 22, 1989 · 55 min

As holiday's end draws nearer, Molly realises that the answer to her mystery is at the end of the Piero Della Francesca Trail. As she sets off on her trip of discovery, Haverford's night of passion ends in farce.

About the series

Summer's Lease poster
Audience score
★ 7.2 /10

based on 8 votes

Synopsis

Fortysomething wife and mother Molly Pargeter leads a stable but dull life in 1980s West London. She feels overweight and there is no passion in her relationship with her husband Hugh, who is secretly seeing another woman. For most of her life, Molly has found escape in detective novels and art books, especially on 15th-century Italian fresco painter Piero Della Francesca. Suddenly, in the small ads, she spots the details of a Tuscany villa to let, and after a viewing, she takes it for holiday.

MysteryDrama

Cast

8 principal cast

Susan Fleetwood

Susan Fleetwood

Molly Pargeter
John Gielgud

John Gielgud

Haverford Downs
Michael Pennington

Michael Pennington

Hugh Pargeter
Rosemary Leach

Rosemary Leach

Nancy Leadbetter

Caroline Waldron

Henry Pargeter
Veronica Lazăr

Veronica Lazăr

Baronessa Dulcibene

Suzanne Hay

Sam Pargeter
Samantha Glenn

Samantha Glenn

Jack Pargeter

Where to watch Summer's Lease

Summer's Lease is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The mystery from John Mortimer has 1 season and 4 total episodes, rated 7.2/10 by 8 viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does Summer's Lease have?

Summer's Lease has 1 season with 4 episodes in total.

Is Summer's Lease still on the air?

Summer's Lease has ended and is no longer in production.

What network airs Summer's Lease?

Summer's Lease airs on PBS, BBC Two.

When did Summer's Lease first air?

Summer's Lease first aired on November 1, 1989.

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