Aging historian Gerald Middleton is taciturn and methodical, a creature of habit who prefers his daily routine undisturbed. Separated from his wife and disapproving of his youngest son’s job, Middleton's life and career are beginning to lose meaning. Keenly aware of his faults and the void he's created around himself, Middleton is forced back into society once more as his past catches up with him.

Richard JohnsonGerald Middleton

Douglas HodgeYoung Gerald Middleton

Simon ChandlerJohn Middleton

Matthew OwensYoung John Middleton

Elizabeth SpriggsInge Middleton

Briony GlasscoYoung Inge Middleton

Nicholas JonesRobin Middleton

Deborah FindlayKay Consett

Kate MaberlyYoung Kay Consett

Simon MattacksDonald Consett

Oliver Ford DaviesProfessor Stokesay

Daniel CraigGilbert Stokesay

Tara FitzgeraldDollie Stokesay

Jamie McClellandYoung Robin Middleton

Paudge BehanLarrie Rourke

Amanda MealingElvira Portway

David SavileCanon Portway

John BoswallSir Edgar Iffley

Carl DeurellProfessor Pforzheim

Lila KayeDr. Rose Lorimer

Julie LegrandClarissa Crane

Robert LangProfessor Chun

David RyallFrank Rammage

Jonathan LaceyYoung Frank Rammage

Arthur WhiteLarwood

Hilda BraidMrs Larwood

Carmen du SautoyMarie Helene Middleton

Nicholas HaleyTimothy Middleton

Jane HowYoung Lillian Portway

Rosalie CrutchleyStephanie Houdet

Jay BenedictYves Houdet

John CaterHarold Cresset

Pat KeenAlice Cresset

Dorothy TutinDollie Stokesay

Helen CherryLillian Portway

Kate WinsletCaroline Jevington