It’s the summer of 1962, and London is swinging with new music, hip fashions, and an irresistible, hedonistic spirit. The city is also seething with antisemitic violence incited by homegrown neo-Nazis.
Adapted from the critically acclaimed novel by Jo Bloom, MASTERPIECE presents Ridley Road, a riveting four-episode drama set in a colorful yet tumultuous time. Starring newcomer Agnes O'Casey, the series follows Vivien Epstein, a young Jewish woman who discovers that her ex-boyfriend, Jack, is embedded within an extreme right-wing political movement, feeding intelligence to Jewish activists. When Jack suddenly goes silent, Vivien goes from humdrum hairdresser to amateur spy to learn what happened to him.
Inspired by true events, the adrenaline-filled Ridley Road follows Vivien as she joins the fight against fascism and goes undercover to infiltrate the British neo-Nazi hierarchy.
Ridley Road airs Fridays at 9 p.m. starting June 10 on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.
Stream the series on Rhode Island PBS Passport.
Episode 1 - June 10 at 9 p.m.
London in the swinging sixties is a hive of violent antisemitism, as Jewish hairdresser Vivien learns when she arrives in search of her beau, Jack.
Episode 2 - June 17 at 9 p.m.
Now undercover, Vivien strives to convince neo-Nazi leader Colin Jordan that she is on his side. Her spying turns up an alarming development.
Episode 3 - June 24 at 9 p.m.
Vivien’s link to Jordan is complicated by the arrival of his wife. The police rebuff warnings from the 62 Group, who must act on their own.
Episode 4 - July 1 at 9 p.m.
As Vivien’s deception starts to crumble, she races to secure incriminating evidence against Jordan. Meanwhile, Jack faces mortal danger.
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.
