When glamorous widow Vivien begins an unexpected romance with retired doctor Mark, her adult children’s initial misgivings manifest into deep suspicions as Mark seems too good to be true. Already faced with heaping problems of their own, the children's new familial tensions soon escalate to unbearable heights when a mysterious incident at Vivien’s house leaves investigators unsure whether an accident or a crime has occurred. Rife with thrilling uncertainty and endless intrigue, the MASTERPIECE series Flesh and Blood airs Fridays at 9 p.m. starting August 5 on WSBE Rhode Island PBS and is available to stream on Rhode Island PBS Passport.
Set in an idyllic seaside town soon marred by a bloody incident, the four-part series opens with the shock of police sirens and a body on a stretcher. Francesca Annis (Home Fires, Cranford) plays the role of widow Vivien, whose neighbor Mary, played by Imelda Staunton (Cranford, Harry Potter), puts her investigative skills to work as she pries into the intentions of Vivien’s new suitor, Mark. Played by Stephen Rea (The Crying Game, V for Vendetta), the retired doctor's loving and attentive attitude is cast into doubt after Vivien’s friends and family begin questioning his motives.
Episodes air on the following dates:
Episode 1 - August 5 at 9 p.m.
When Vivien introduces her new boyfriend, Mark, to her three grown children, not long after the death of their father, they are suspicious. Meanwhile, their own lives are a mess.
Episode 2 - August 12 at 9 p.m.
As Vivien and Mark grow closer, her kids become progressively more unhinged. Vivien’s inquisitive neighbor Mary does some investigating of her own.
Episode 3 - August 19 at 9 p.m.
As Vivien and Mark prepare for a trip to India, Vivien’s son Jake gets a hot tip. Daughters Helen and Natalie both reach crisis points with their partners.
Episode 4 - TBA
Four relationships spiral out of control. Vivien tries to dismiss her children’s fears about Mark. Mary responds to an emergency.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. Rhode Island PBS is now available to subscribers of YouTubeTV. The full schedule is available to live stream for free within the broadcast viewing area at watch.ripbs.org/livestream. An expansive catalog of PBS series, documentaries, and specials is available to Rhode Island PBS members through Rhode Island PBS Passport.
