The BBC really didn’t know what it had with Hope Springs. This is a charming and delightful series that got killed after its first season for no obvious reason. You can watch it free on Tubi. A thumbnail sketch of the plot is four women who managed to get out of prison decide to rob the ex of one for three million pounds and escape to Barbados. The guy selling them fake passports croaks with the passports on him the ladies end up in a small Scottish backwater, Hope Springs. It has one hotel with about four rooms and the only pub in town. Oh yes, the cantankerous old woman running the thing hasn’t paid a bill or maintained the place for years.
Why is that last part important? To have a cover while trying to get new fake passports the girls pay cash for the hotel and a small hotel fire burns the rest of their money. Oh, that’s just the first episode or so. This series had some serious plot.
Vinette Robinson
As a street-wise tomboy the Catholic Church tried to beat and torture lesbianism out of, Vinette is a real treat. You will recognize her from both Sherlock and Doctor Who. Can’t wait for The Lazarus Project to get on one of the free streaming services because she is in 13 episodes.
Christine Bottomley
This girl is a true treasure. She has the perfect accent and is a joy to watch. Regrettably, I don’t remember the one episode of Torchwood she was in. I don’t see anything in her filmography that I remember watching. I do hope Sherwood comes to a free streaming service soon because she appears to be in quite a few episodes.
Annette Crosbie
Annette plays the cantankerous old woman who initially owns the hotel. You can’t really imagine anyone else in the role when you see her. This woman has a long filmography and 4 BAFTA’s. Some day One Foot in the Grave will be on free streaming services and we will all get to enjoy a role that won her some awards.
Alex Kingston
Love this woman, love her to death! I put Hope Springs on my watch list because she was in it. Some day ER will be on free streaming services and we will all get to watch the 160 episodes she is in. Doctor Who fans will know her as River Song, wife of The Doctor. She can do serious type acting as she does in A Discovery of Witches and Chasing Shadows. I must admit to loving her best when she has her saucy moments with that glint in her eye and a “catch me if you can” lilt to her voice. She is almost always a ladies lady in her roles. Stockings and heels with a wee bit of the girls on display. Only when the scene requires it does she wear anything else.
Summary
This show is a treasure. I wish the BBC would have kept it going for more than a single season. They do leave it with a really nice cliff hanger for a season two lead in, but, given this is a 2009 series and it is 2025 now, hope dims for a season two.
For more movie rental ideas please see list one and list two.
