After Pilkington is a BBC television drama film written by Simon Gray, starring Miranda Richardson, Bob Peck and Barry Foster. It was first broadcast as part of BBC Two's Screen Two series, in 1987.

Plot

The quiet life of Oxford professor James Westgate (Bob Peck) is shattered when he is introduced to Penny (Miranda Richardson), the wife of his crass new colleague (Barry Foster). Westgate recognises her as his childhood sweetheart "Patch", and the two resume their friendship. Westgate is bored with his mundane college life, including his German friend Boris who experiments on animals in the lab, and his lady friend Amanda, as well as the attentions of a shy male student who claims to be in love with him. He is only too happy to be diverted into joining Penny/Patch in her search for missing archaeologist Pilkington (a fellow Oxford colleague). As Westgate's obsession with his childhood friend grows, he is drawn into a tangle of misunderstanding, intrigue, and murder. Bob Peck imbues his character with comic ineptitude.

After Pilkington

The film frequently has the 4th movement from Schubert's Trout Quintet on the soundtrack.

After Pilkington

Awards and nominations

Best Actress (nomination): Miranda Richardson - BAFTA TV Awards

Best Fiction (won) - Prix Italia

Cast

Bob Peck as James Westgate

Miranda Richardson as Penny 'Patch' Newhouse

Reina James as Amanda

Gary Waldhorn as Boris

Barry Foster as Derek

Sarah Butler as Young Penny

Richard Grant as Young James

Richard Brenner as Wilkins

Mary Miller as Deirdre Pilkington

Derek Ware as Pilkington

Nigel Nevinson as Doctor

John Gill as Pottsy

References

External links

New York Times review

Cast and credit information from Screen Two website

Memorable TV review

1987 television films

1987 films

BBC television dramas

Prix Italia winners

After Pilkington