The Ambassador (2005)

Negotiating a World of Deception, Mistrust & Betrayal Academy Award nominee Pauline Collins (Shirley Valentine) stars as England's Ambassador to Ireland - one of Britain's most coveted - and potentially explosive - Embassy posts.

As created by award winning writer Russell Lewis (Monsignor Renard, Sharpe's, Inspector Morse, Kavanagh Q.C.), Harriet Smith's job as liaison and troubleshooter for Britain takes her into a world of corruption, scandal and crime.

Continually under fire, the Ambassador treads a perilous path between the aims of diplomatic saboteurs, the interests of the people of Ireland, the demands of her family and most important of all - her duty to Britain. approx. 5 hrs. col. Special Features: Cast Profiles / Cast Trivia

Really nice stories!

These are well acted, developed and thought stories on the complexity of our human condition. The reality of the shades of gray of everyday life are presented compassionated and realistic manner. Highly recommended. March 24, 2007

HIGHLY ENTERTAINING

I concur with the previous reviewer that "The Ambassador" is British TV at its best--great script, great direction, and MOST OF ALL great acting! The program is really highly entertaining keeping this viewer on the edge of his seat!

Since the series "Upstairs Downstairs" from the 1970s, Pauline Collins has been a favorite actress of mine. In this series, she proves that she can do heavy dramas as well as comedies with the best of them. She is so very convincing as the British ambassador to Ireland. She portrays so very well a character that is very proficient at her job while at the same time, she is good at balancing being a widow, a single mom, a woman in a man's world (the men she works with DO question her almost every decision). No matter how tense or threatening the situation may be,she comes across as a caring human being that always tries to bring some humanity to her decision making. In fact, this series is filled with great actors--many that I've seen in other British presentations.

The "bottom line" for me is that "the Ambassador" series is GREAT entertainment! It shows what a really good T.V. program can be!! I was highly entertained--great and timely stories plus great acting--wow!

If you want to see what a great TV program is like, buy this DVD.
March 5, 2007

Another excellent reason to kill your TV and opt instead for your PC screen and DVD's

This has everything that one expects of British television entertainment -- compelling plots, convincing acting, topical themes such as nuclear power and the war against drugs. It has something more, a portrayal of how outcomes can change when a trace of humanity is displayed by those in power. The deplorable dumbing down of the American media in recent years is nowhere evident here. Choose this one, if you are a self-respecting enthusiast of contemporary drama for the discriminating and socially aware. October 29, 2006

First rate drama

This is one of the very best modern television series available. Pauline Collins, a skilled comedienne, proves that she can handle a challenging dramatic role with immense skill and subtlety. The rest of the cast is similarly outstanding. The series, a product of several different writers, concerns the English ambassador to Ireland (Collins), her two sons, and several of her assistants. Each story, set in the present, is completely absorbing. There is a noticeable absence of sex and violence, intelligence being used in their place. Five stars. December 29, 2005

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