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Season 1 – Indian Summers

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Indian Summers 2015 History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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79% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
"Indian Summers" is a miniseries set in the foothills of the Himalayas during the summer of 1932. The narrative focuses on the social politics behind the decline of the British Empire and the birth of modern India. A power struggle is emphasized through Brits sent to govern Northern India every summer and the Indian natives who are yearning for independence. The Indian Civil Service and the British Club rule from the foothills town of Simla, where the drama unfolds among Ralph Whelan, private secretary to the Viceroy of India; his younger, recently widowed sister Alice; and Cynthia Coffin, the proprietor of the club.
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Indian Summers — Season 1

Indian Summers — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Indian Summers gathers intrigue slowly but effectively, building into an addictive political thriller with exotic overtones.

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Critics Reviews

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s.e. smith Bitch Media Even as the show attempts to make some biting commentaries - a recent episode showed guards indiscriminately beating attendees at a political rally - it can't help but give colonialism a glamorous feel. Feb 9, 2021 Full Review Sarah Hughes Independent (UK) For all those sumptuous settings and despite the impeccable performances, there remains something slightly hollow at its heart. Mar 14, 2016 Full Review Keith Uhlich The Hollywood Reporter Pleasingly, Indian Summers never feels overstuffed, just exceedingly generous in the way it approaches the disparate people and situations portrayed. Sep 28, 2015 Full Review Vikram Johri Scroll.in Indian Summers is better than that, never judging, never eulogising, even as it makes clear how wrong and morally vacant the whole enterprise called the white man's burden was. May 25, 2017 Full Review Emily S. Mendel culturevulture.net After watching the first somewhat slow episode, you may be tempted to give up on [the series]. But, don't. It has more than enough style, suspense and thrills to keep one glued past the first episode. Nov 29, 2015 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice A glimpse of the last gasp of the British Raj in India with its nationalistic pride and it toxic racism. Rated: 4.5/5 Oct 7, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member It was so wonderful! The costumes, the scenery and the storyline all made me long for such a time and place. It was fantastic and I'm so sorry that it won't continue. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member This one started out slowly but really started paying off by mid-season. Characters that began as "good guys" and "bad guys" are revealed to be gray; indeed, the history, themes, and characters are so much darker and more compelling than those in "Downton Abbey" that it seems silly to compare the two. Somewhat complex plot lines lend themselves to binge-watching. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member This TV series had invested into it, not only because of its human and complex characters but also for its story, production design and fantastic direction and camera work Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member <@ if (review) { @><@= review @><@ } @> Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Cinematographers Peter Robertson and David Higgs prepare the canvas (Penang, Malaysia stands in for Simla) for writer Paul Rutman and his magnificent ensemble cast in this story of converging families and cultures during the final throes of the British Raj in 1932 India. Roshan Seth as Darius Dalal is brilliant, funny and emerges as the series' emotional safety valve. Calling all David Lean, Ismail Merchant, James Ivory, Rudyard Kipling, E.M. Forster, and The Jewel in the Crown (Masterpiece Theater) fans - this one's for you. Bring on Series 2 ! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Reminiscent of Jewel in the Crown, this lush, gloriously colorful period piece set in the waning days of British colonialism adds in soapy, sudsy side plots, all set in the verdant mountains of northern India. The club, that bastion of British snobbery literally sits at the top of the hill for the Indian community that serves it and the staff of the Viceroy to look up at, and wonder if they will ever get to set foot in it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Indian Summers — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Julie Walters

Cynthia

Patrick Malahide

Ralph Whelan

Jemima West

Alice

Nikesh Patel

Aafrin

Lillete Dubey

Roshana

Roshan Seth

Darius

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 15, 2015 Part 1 Ralph Whelan and the rest of the Indian Civil Service begin the annual move to Simla; Ralph's sister Alice returns to India, while the doyenne of British society Cynthia Coffin prepares for the start of the summer season. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 22, 2015 Part 2 The fallout from the shooting reverberates around Simla and a curfew is put in place to deal with the supposed terrorist threat. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 1, 2015 Part 3 It's the Sipi Fair in Simla; Ralph plots to get Aafrin on his side by granting him a promotion. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 8, 2015 Part 4 Viceroy is visiting Simla; Ralph is disappointed by his discovery; Aafrin might be in danger. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 15, 2015 Part 5 Ralph's attempts to take advantage of divisions within the Indian communities prove risky. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 22, 2015 Part 6 The pressure continues to mount on Ralph as Jaya reveals the real reason for her visit to Simla, while Alice and Ronnie are saved by a mountaineer who tries to inveigle his way into Alice's affectations. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 29, 2015 Part 7 Simla's annual dramatic performance of "The Importance of Being Earnest" is overshadowed by the news that the body of a murder victim has been found in the river. Details Episode 8 Aired Apr 5, 2015 Part 8 Ian is wracked with guilt about Ramu's arrest and prepares to act as his alibi, and Leena is torn apart in the witness box. Details Episode 9 Aired Apr 12, 2015 Part 9 As Simla prepares for the arrival of a powerful Nawab, Madeleine is dealt some devastating news; and Sarah threatens to tell everyone that Alice's husband is still alive, and the recent tensions between Ralph and Cynthia come to a head. Details Episode 10 Aired Apr 19, 2015 Part 10 Ramu Sood's fate is left in Ralph's hands now that he knows the truth behind the murder, Alice and Afrin prepare to go public with their relationship, and Sarah prepares to say goodbye to India and her husband. Details

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Indian Summers — Season 1

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Season Info

Executive Producer
Charles Pattinson, Elaine Pyke, Simon Curtis, Rebecca Eaton
Network
Channel 4
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Feb 15, 2015