Lilies (BBC TV series)
Encyclopedia
Lilies is a British period-drama television series, written by Heidi Thomas
, which ran for one eight-episode series in early 2007 on BBC One
. The show's tagline was "Liverpool, 1920. Three girls on the edge of womanhood, a world on the brink of change." Due to lower than expected ratings, the BBC did not commission a second series.
sisters living with their widowed father and brother in a terraced house
in Liverpool
in the early 1920s. The story is set in the years immediately after First World War
and, as such, the after effects of that conflict are apparent.
The story depicts a life lived on a knife-edge of poverty, tempered by various kinds of love. All three girls must make their own way in the world. In the course of the series, each sister tastes passion for the first time, and their lives, newly launched, are changed forever.
first developed the idea for Lilies from listening to her grandmother's stories about growing up in post-World War I Liverpool. The Moss sisters are loosely based on her grandmother and her three sisters. Some aspects of the series, such as the grave fund that the girls save for, are taken directly from their lives. Thomas wrote the first complete draft of the script in 1996, but it was almost ten years before it was optioned by the BBC. During that time she lost the script, and had to recreate it from an old copy she found in her attic. Thomas elected to insert certain elements into the script to give the series a sense of realism, such as the slaughter of animals in the Moss home. Largely unknown actors were cast in Lilies, including native Liverpudlian Kerrie Hayes
in her acting debut.
During location scouting, the production team was unable to find an area of Liverpool with terraced house
s that had been sufficiently preserved so they decided to reconstruct a whole neighborhood on a backlot in Aintree
. In order to give a sense of space to the production, large painted billboards mimicking distant buildings were erected on the edges of the set. Other scenes were filmed on location at the Woolton Picture House
, the Walker Art Gallery
and Croxteth Hall
.
Father Melia, the local priest, announces that there will be a homecoming streetparty as all the young men who survived the war are now back home and asks the Mosses to lend the pianola so they can have some music. Unfortunately it was pawned to pay for Mamma's funeral and the family do everything they can to raise the money necessary to get it back in time. Ruby works overtime, selling corsets, and May dances at a gentleman's club in her underwear.
The Brazendales, Richard and Madeleine, take an interest in May. Richard sits with May in the kitchen and tries to make friends, much to May's surprise. May supports Madeleine after she has another miscarriage.
Ruby trains for a place on the British Ladies Olympic swimming team, with a former neighbour, Phyllis Cook. On the day of the trial, Ruby's family go to support her, including Billy - despite his terror of water after his ship sank during the war. Someone, however, disapproves of Billy as he receives white feather
s (symbolising cowardice) in the post and gets another on the day of the trial, leading him to attempt suicide. He survives and tells his family that Phyllis was responsible, leading her and Ruby to fight in the street, and lose their places on the Olympic team. Phyllis sent them to Billy, angry that he survived the war while her dad (serving on the same ship) didn't.
(Originally broadcast: 12 January 2007)
Domingo reveals the full extent of his injuries to Iris on their wedding night. She is angry to discover that the future she hoped for - a home and family of her own - is impossible. Unable to stand the sight of Domingo, she goes home and is assured by Father Melia that she will not have to return or get a divorce.
(Originally broadcast: 19 January 2007)
Seeing him there and discussing their feelings later, they realise they have feelings for each other and start an affair. Unfortunately Mrs. Brazendale returns sooner than planned and in disgust at Madeleine telling her about how pleased Richard was to see her, walks out of her job.
Dadda and Billy practice, with the rest of their lodge, for the 12th July march
(they are staunch Protestants
). Iris struggles to cope with what she discovered about Domingo after she married him. Father Melia tells Iris that, although it will take time, her marriage can be dissolved. Mrs. Dobbs visits Ruby, wanting the gossip about Iris and Domingo.
(Originally broadcast: 26 January 2007)
The doctor notifies the Board of Health and the epidemics gentleman calls the tallyman, worried about overcrowding. Dadda makes sure no families are broken up. Realising no one can take all of the children, Father Melia puts them in an orphanage, having been assured that they will be raised together. This illusion is shattered once the papers are in order, making the orphanage the McBrides' legal guardians. The Matron tells Father Melia and Iris that Arthur (the youngest) will be transferred to Doctor Barnardo's and the older boys will go abroad. Horrified, Father Melia and Iris want to remove the children but are refused permission.
Ruby and Billy, suspicious that May didn't get a reference, write to Richard Brazendale and he replies, revealing May walked out but would be given a reference if she visited his office. They meet secretly, and Richard ends their romance, but later sends a key and a note with an address, asking her to meet him. Curious, she goes and he offers her a flat. Guessing he wants her to be his mistress, she is furious, feeling that would make her little better than a prostitute and walks out.
(Originally broadcast: 2 February 2007)
During the tea party, Nazzer tells Dadda what he saw the night their ship sank after Dadda tells about Billy's nightmares and fear of water. Nazzer stays over and sleeps with Billy. He later helps Billy overcome his fear of the sea, but admits hating living as a cripple in institutions. He tries to convince Billy to help him commit suicide, but he refuses. The night Billy and Queenie go to the dance, he visits Nazzer - to find him dying of pneumonia. Billy attends the funeral and signs up as cabin steward on the Aquitania
, in his memory.
May has a new job — cook for Father Melia — but isn't very good so Iris helps her. Father Melia tells her that the McBride boys have been split up - two have emigrated and the youngest will be adopted. He hopes to get the girls transferred to Catholic orphanages so they will stay together.
Seeing that May is ill, Father Melia calls the doctor and he tells her that she is pregnant. Now unable to work, she hands in her notice and goes to see Richard. She is shocked to discover that Madeleine went away deliberately, leaving Richard to seduce May. They hoped she would get pregnant and let them adopt the baby. Madeleine suggests May stay with them until suitable accommodation can be arranged but angry at being used, she tells Madeleine about Richard's offer of a flat and leaves.
(Originally broadcast: 9 February 2007)
. They refuse but offer her an account at a department store. When this does not change May's mind, Madeleine threatens she'll be charged if any harm comes to the baby but May ignores her and tries to induce a miscarriage regardless. Iris and Ruby realise and make her sick so May keeps the baby.
Ruby receives a letter from Marianne Parkes. She condemns corsets, believing them vile and unnecessary, and invites Ruby to a debate. She invites Ruby to a picnic, drawing her into their intellectual circle. They advocate reproductive rights
for women and vegetarianism
, amongst other things. Iris and May see Ruby becoming a snob and warn her to be careful but her ideas lead her to release the pigs kept by the butcher on an allotment, damaging other allotments. Ruby admits what she has done and is ordered to pay compensation and work on the damaged allotments. Joseph, the butcher, is impressed by Ruby's spirit and they become friends.
Ruby is horrified to discover that her new friends believe in sterilising people they deem unfit to reproduce - particularly girls who have illegitimate children - so she rejects them. She promises to support May and help her hide her condition. Iris supports May too after Father Melia reminds her that May needs support, not condemnation.
(Originally broadcast: 16 February 2007)
Iris reveals that she wants to be a nun. Father Melia initially supports her, but later changes his mind and refuses to explain.
May starts dating Frank Gadney and Ruby starts dating Joseph. May is happy with Frank until she sees Richard Brazendale. He visits before sailing to New York. After feeling the baby kick, he asks her to love their child and May realises that she can not hide her pregnancy any longer. Dadda is horrified at the news and walks out but returns later, drunk. Angry that his daughters insisted he end things with Miss Bird and then reveal that May is heavily pregnant, he beats them. He packs his belongings and walks out, unchallenged. Frank, bathing May's wounds, asks her to marry him but she refuses, telling him she is in love with the baby's father.
(Originally broadcast: 23 February 2007)
Father Melia visits Iris, wanting to apologise for his behaviour. The bishop, confused by a letter from Iris, requesting a reference she should be able to get from her priest, sends Canon Kenan for an explanation. Father Melia admits he has feelings for Iris and is sent to Ireland on retreat but discovers that she is not joining a convent after all. She is shocked by the convent's request of a dowry
of 300 guineas and a pair of silver candlesticks.
Dadda goes home to find the pianola gone and that the Brazendales were adopting the baby. Dadda objects but Billy says it is nothing to do with him. Seeing his daughters return with the baby and shaken by recent events, Dadda takes the temperance pledge
again and registers his grandson's birth, naming him Victor William Moss. He also asks if he can come home. His children welcome him back.
(Originally broadcast: 2 March 2007)
Heidi Thomas
Heidi Thomas is an English screenwriter and playwright.-Career:After reading English at Liverpool University, Thomas gained national attention when her play, Shamrocks And Crocodiles, won the John Whiting Award in 1985. Her play Indigo was performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in their...
, which ran for one eight-episode series in early 2007 on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. The show's tagline was "Liverpool, 1920. Three girls on the edge of womanhood, a world on the brink of change." Due to lower than expected ratings, the BBC did not commission a second series.
Outline
Lilies details the lives of Iris, May and Ruby Moss, three CatholicCatholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
sisters living with their widowed father and brother in a terraced house
Terraced house
In architecture and city planning, a terrace house, terrace, row house, linked house or townhouse is a style of medium-density housing that originated in Great Britain in the late 17th century, where a row of identical or mirror-image houses share side walls...
in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
in the early 1920s. The story is set in the years immediately after First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and, as such, the after effects of that conflict are apparent.
The story depicts a life lived on a knife-edge of poverty, tempered by various kinds of love. All three girls must make their own way in the world. In the course of the series, each sister tastes passion for the first time, and their lives, newly launched, are changed forever.
Production
Heidi ThomasHeidi Thomas
Heidi Thomas is an English screenwriter and playwright.-Career:After reading English at Liverpool University, Thomas gained national attention when her play, Shamrocks And Crocodiles, won the John Whiting Award in 1985. Her play Indigo was performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in their...
first developed the idea for Lilies from listening to her grandmother's stories about growing up in post-World War I Liverpool. The Moss sisters are loosely based on her grandmother and her three sisters. Some aspects of the series, such as the grave fund that the girls save for, are taken directly from their lives. Thomas wrote the first complete draft of the script in 1996, but it was almost ten years before it was optioned by the BBC. During that time she lost the script, and had to recreate it from an old copy she found in her attic. Thomas elected to insert certain elements into the script to give the series a sense of realism, such as the slaughter of animals in the Moss home. Largely unknown actors were cast in Lilies, including native Liverpudlian Kerrie Hayes
Kerrie Hayes
-Background:Born and brought up in Anfield, Liverpool, Hayes is one of five siblings. She has two older sisters and two younger brothers. She attended Holly Lodge Girls' College in West Derby, where her interest in acting began after she joined a drama class with her sister, and later Liverpool...
in her acting debut.
During location scouting, the production team was unable to find an area of Liverpool with terraced house
Terraced house
In architecture and city planning, a terrace house, terrace, row house, linked house or townhouse is a style of medium-density housing that originated in Great Britain in the late 17th century, where a row of identical or mirror-image houses share side walls...
s that had been sufficiently preserved so they decided to reconstruct a whole neighborhood on a backlot in Aintree
Aintree
Aintree is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside. It lies between Walton and Maghull on the A59 road, about north of Liverpool city centre, in North West England....
. In order to give a sense of space to the production, large painted billboards mimicking distant buildings were erected on the edges of the set. Other scenes were filmed on location at the Woolton Picture House
Woolton Picture House
Woolton Picture House is a privately owned cinema in the Woolton area of Liverpool, England.It was purchased in 1992 by David Wood, the grandson of Liverpool cinema pioneer John Frederick Wood. Until September 2006 it was the only remaining single-screen cinema in the city, and was popular with...
, the Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery
The Walker Art Gallery is an art gallery in Liverpool, which houses one of the largest art collections in England, outside of London. It is part of the National Museums Liverpool group, and is promoted as "the National Gallery of the North" because it is not a local or regional gallery but is part...
and Croxteth Hall
Croxteth Hall
Croxteth Hall is the former country estate and ancestral home of the Molyneux family, the Earls of Sefton. After the death of the 7th and last Earl in 1972 the estate passed to Liverpool City Council, which now manages the remainder of the estate, following the sale of approximately half of the...
.
Cast
- Iris … Catherine TyldesleyCatherine TyldesleyCatherine Tyldesley is an English actress, known for portraying Iris Moss in Lilies and Eva Price in Coronation Street from 2011.-Background:Tyldesley is from Walkden, Greater Manchester. She attended St...
- Ruby … Kerrie HayesKerrie Hayes-Background:Born and brought up in Anfield, Liverpool, Hayes is one of five siblings. She has two older sisters and two younger brothers. She attended Holly Lodge Girls' College in West Derby, where her interest in acting began after she joined a drama class with her sister, and later Liverpool...
- May … Leanne RoweLeanne RoweLeanne Rowe is an English actress and singer, known for portraying Nancy in Oliver Twist, May Moss in Lilies and Baby in Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage.-Background:...
- Dadda … Brian McCardieBrian McCardieBrian McCardie is a Scottish actor. He has appeared in several movies, including Speed 2: Cruise Control , playing the role as Merced. He also appeared in the mini series of Titanic.-Early life:...
- Billy … Daniel RigbyDaniel RigbyDaniel Rigby is an English television and stage actor.He attended Cheadle Hulme School and studied performing arts at Stockport College. He became one of the youngest students from the college to be accepted by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art...
- Father Melia … Scot WilliamsScot WilliamsScot Williams , is an English actor, writer and producer for stage, film and television.As an actor, Williams made his film debut in the 1994 Iain Softley film Backbeat, in which he played the role of The Beatle's original drummer Pete Best...
- Frank Gadney … Iain McKeeIain McKeeIain McKee is an English actor best known for his role as Frank Gadney in BBC1 drama series Lilies and Michael in BBC sitcom The Visit. He is originally from Bolton and now lives in North London, UK.-Filmography:...
- Phyllis Cook … Georgia TaylorGeorgia TaylorGeorgia Taylor is an English actress, known for her role as Toyah Battersby in Coronation Street and currently for playing Ruth Winters on Casualty. She was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester....
- Richard Brazendale … Stephen MoyerStephen MoyerStephen Moyer is an English actor who has starred as vampire Bill Compton in the HBO series True Blood since 2008.-Early life and career:Moyer was born in Brentwood, Essex...
- Madeleine Brazendale … Jennifer HennessyJennifer HennessyJennifer Hennessy is a British actress best known for playing Mrs Brazendale in the BBC TV series Lilies.She trained for three years at the Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in 1992...
- Alice Bird … Pam FerrisPam FerrisPamela Ann "Pam" Ferris is a German-born Welsh actress. She is best known for her starring roles on television as Ma Larkin in The Darling Buds of May, as Laura Thyme in Rosemary & Thyme, and for playing Miss Trunchbull in the movie Matilda...
- Miss Bird … Gillian KearneyGillian KearneyGillian Louise Kearney is an English actress best known for playing Jessica Harrison in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty, and her early role as Debbie McGrath in Channel 4's Liverpool-based soap opera Brookside and the spin-off mini-series Damon and Debbie.-Early...
- Health Inspector … Kenneth CranhamKenneth CranhamKenneth Cranham is a film, television and stage actor. He starred in the title role in the popular 1980s comedy drama Shine on Harvey Moon. He also appeared in Layer Cake, Gangster No. 1, Rome, Oliver! and many other films. He is probably best known to horror genre fans as the deranged Dr...
- Nazzer … William AshWilliam Ash (actor)William Ash, is a British TV and film actor.-Career:His appearances include Making Out ,Mad About Mambo, Lilies, Burn It, All the King's Men, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Doctor Who and more recently Hush and Waterloo Road. He began his career in the ITV series Where the Heart Is...
1. "The Chit Behind King Billy"
The first episode introduces the Moss family; Dadda Moss and his four surviving children, Iris, May, Ruby and Billy. Mamma Moss has recently died and Walter, Ruby's twin brother, died during World War I. All the family work, except Billy. Dadda works at the local dairy and is local vet. Iris runs the house and makes chocolates, May is parlourmaid to the Brazendales and Ruby, having previously worked for the Post Office, now works for Aurora Corsets.Father Melia, the local priest, announces that there will be a homecoming streetparty as all the young men who survived the war are now back home and asks the Mosses to lend the pianola so they can have some music. Unfortunately it was pawned to pay for Mamma's funeral and the family do everything they can to raise the money necessary to get it back in time. Ruby works overtime, selling corsets, and May dances at a gentleman's club in her underwear.
The Brazendales, Richard and Madeleine, take an interest in May. Richard sits with May in the kitchen and tries to make friends, much to May's surprise. May supports Madeleine after she has another miscarriage.
Ruby trains for a place on the British Ladies Olympic swimming team, with a former neighbour, Phyllis Cook. On the day of the trial, Ruby's family go to support her, including Billy - despite his terror of water after his ship sank during the war. Someone, however, disapproves of Billy as he receives white feather
White feather
A white feather has been a traditional symbol of cowardice, used and recognised especially within the British Army and in countries associated with the British Empire since the 18th century...
s (symbolising cowardice) in the post and gets another on the day of the trial, leading him to attempt suicide. He survives and tells his family that Phyllis was responsible, leading her and Ruby to fight in the street, and lose their places on the Olympic team. Phyllis sent them to Billy, angry that he survived the war while her dad (serving on the same ship) didn't.
(Originally broadcast: 12 January 2007)
2. "The Thunderbolt"
Iris, May and Ruby are unhappy with Dadda's behaviour and discuss it while at confession. They agree to put their foot down about it, leading Dadda to put the rabbits in the backyard up for sale. Iris starts dating the man who buys them, Domingo Hennessy, and after a brief courtship, he proposes marriage and Iris accepts. Neither Dadda or Ruby are happy about this - both hating change - but come round to the idea. Domingo tells them that he was in the army during the war but was invalided out.Domingo reveals the full extent of his injuries to Iris on their wedding night. She is angry to discover that the future she hoped for - a home and family of her own - is impossible. Unable to stand the sight of Domingo, she goes home and is assured by Father Melia that she will not have to return or get a divorce.
(Originally broadcast: 19 January 2007)
3. "The White Charger"
Mrs. Brazendale goes to a spa for her nerves, reducing May's workload. Free from lunchtime, her friendship with Richard Brazendale turns to flirtation but halts when he introduces her to a friend of his, Claude Freeman. He claims to be a portrait photographer but his motives are far from pure. Knowing this, Richard rescues May from Claude's studio and finding her drugged, puts her to bed and sleeps on her bedroom floor.Seeing him there and discussing their feelings later, they realise they have feelings for each other and start an affair. Unfortunately Mrs. Brazendale returns sooner than planned and in disgust at Madeleine telling her about how pleased Richard was to see her, walks out of her job.
Dadda and Billy practice, with the rest of their lodge, for the 12th July march
The Twelfth
The Twelfth is a yearly Protestant celebration held on 12 July. It originated in Ireland during the 18th century. It celebrates the Glorious Revolution and victory of Protestant king William of Orange over Catholic king James II at the Battle of the Boyne...
(they are staunch Protestants
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
). Iris struggles to cope with what she discovered about Domingo after she married him. Father Melia tells Iris that, although it will take time, her marriage can be dissolved. Mrs. Dobbs visits Ruby, wanting the gossip about Iris and Domingo.
(Originally broadcast: 26 January 2007)
4. "The Tallyman"
Iris helps Mrs Quirke (the local midwife) when Mrs. McBride gives birth prematurely. Dadda sees that the McBrides are ill and calls the doctor but both die, leaving behind seven children. Iris takes the girls and the boys stay with Father Melia at the rectory.The doctor notifies the Board of Health and the epidemics gentleman calls the tallyman, worried about overcrowding. Dadda makes sure no families are broken up. Realising no one can take all of the children, Father Melia puts them in an orphanage, having been assured that they will be raised together. This illusion is shattered once the papers are in order, making the orphanage the McBrides' legal guardians. The Matron tells Father Melia and Iris that Arthur (the youngest) will be transferred to Doctor Barnardo's and the older boys will go abroad. Horrified, Father Melia and Iris want to remove the children but are refused permission.
Ruby and Billy, suspicious that May didn't get a reference, write to Richard Brazendale and he replies, revealing May walked out but would be given a reference if she visited his office. They meet secretly, and Richard ends their romance, but later sends a key and a note with an address, asking her to meet him. Curious, she goes and he offers her a flat. Guessing he wants her to be his mistress, she is furious, feeling that would make her little better than a prostitute and walks out.
(Originally broadcast: 2 February 2007)
5. "The Sea"
Billy gets a letter from an old friend, Nathaniel Sullivan, known as Nazzer. The letter says Nazzer is being transferred to the Turner Home and asks Billy to visit. It is revealed that Billy had a homosexual relationship with Nazzer, and still has feelings for him. He briefly goes to see Nazzer and Iris suggests inviting him to tea but Billy did not ask him, so Iris visits and suggests it. Nazzer accepts and Billy invites Queenie Hicks to join them, knowing she fancies him. She agrees, providing Billy is her date at a dance.During the tea party, Nazzer tells Dadda what he saw the night their ship sank after Dadda tells about Billy's nightmares and fear of water. Nazzer stays over and sleeps with Billy. He later helps Billy overcome his fear of the sea, but admits hating living as a cripple in institutions. He tries to convince Billy to help him commit suicide, but he refuses. The night Billy and Queenie go to the dance, he visits Nazzer - to find him dying of pneumonia. Billy attends the funeral and signs up as cabin steward on the Aquitania
RMS Aquitania
RMS Aquitania was a Cunard Line ocean liner designed by Leonard Peskett and built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland. She was launched on 21 April 1913 and sailed on her maiden voyage to New York on 30 May 1914...
, in his memory.
May has a new job — cook for Father Melia — but isn't very good so Iris helps her. Father Melia tells her that the McBride boys have been split up - two have emigrated and the youngest will be adopted. He hopes to get the girls transferred to Catholic orphanages so they will stay together.
Seeing that May is ill, Father Melia calls the doctor and he tells her that she is pregnant. Now unable to work, she hands in her notice and goes to see Richard. She is shocked to discover that Madeleine went away deliberately, leaving Richard to seduce May. They hoped she would get pregnant and let them adopt the baby. Madeleine suggests May stay with them until suitable accommodation can be arranged but angry at being used, she tells Madeleine about Richard's offer of a flat and leaves.
(Originally broadcast: 9 February 2007)
6. "The Release"
Iris and Ruby discovers May's pregnancy and that she can not marry the father. So, panicking, May visits the Brazendales, wanting money for a terminationAbortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. They refuse but offer her an account at a department store. When this does not change May's mind, Madeleine threatens she'll be charged if any harm comes to the baby but May ignores her and tries to induce a miscarriage regardless. Iris and Ruby realise and make her sick so May keeps the baby.
Ruby receives a letter from Marianne Parkes. She condemns corsets, believing them vile and unnecessary, and invites Ruby to a debate. She invites Ruby to a picnic, drawing her into their intellectual circle. They advocate reproductive rights
Reproductive rights
Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows:...
for women and vegetarianism
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...
, amongst other things. Iris and May see Ruby becoming a snob and warn her to be careful but her ideas lead her to release the pigs kept by the butcher on an allotment, damaging other allotments. Ruby admits what she has done and is ordered to pay compensation and work on the damaged allotments. Joseph, the butcher, is impressed by Ruby's spirit and they become friends.
Ruby is horrified to discover that her new friends believe in sterilising people they deem unfit to reproduce - particularly girls who have illegitimate children - so she rejects them. She promises to support May and help her hide her condition. Iris supports May too after Father Melia reminds her that May needs support, not condemnation.
(Originally broadcast: 16 February 2007)
7. "The Serpent"
Billy comes home for a visit, bringing mini pineapples and a snake. The snake leads Dadda to meet a Miss Bird — she is a teacher and asks Dadda to give a talk about the snake. He does and starts accompanying Miss Bird and her classes on their excursions. They start dating and Dadda invites her to tea to meet his children. They are horrified that their father could date anyone else and discover that Billy has a new job - waiter in a gentleman's club. The girls insist that he end it.Iris reveals that she wants to be a nun. Father Melia initially supports her, but later changes his mind and refuses to explain.
May starts dating Frank Gadney and Ruby starts dating Joseph. May is happy with Frank until she sees Richard Brazendale. He visits before sailing to New York. After feeling the baby kick, he asks her to love their child and May realises that she can not hide her pregnancy any longer. Dadda is horrified at the news and walks out but returns later, drunk. Angry that his daughters insisted he end things with Miss Bird and then reveal that May is heavily pregnant, he beats them. He packs his belongings and walks out, unchallenged. Frank, bathing May's wounds, asks her to marry him but she refuses, telling him she is in love with the baby's father.
(Originally broadcast: 23 February 2007)
8. "The Reckoning"
Billy's new job and May's condition makes Iris think that they are the talk of the street. Mrs. Quirke, the midwife, refuses to help May when her time comes and Richard reveals to Ruby that he and Madeleine offered to adopt the baby. Ruby confronts her and May reveals that that was what Madeleine wanted all along. May initially is happy with her son, but following a row with Dadda, takes Madeleine up on her offer to adopt the baby. Richard Brazendale stops May signing the papers, knowing that Madeleine has manipulated her decision. He persuades her to make her own decision and - aided by her sisters - she does.Father Melia visits Iris, wanting to apologise for his behaviour. The bishop, confused by a letter from Iris, requesting a reference she should be able to get from her priest, sends Canon Kenan for an explanation. Father Melia admits he has feelings for Iris and is sent to Ireland on retreat but discovers that she is not joining a convent after all. She is shocked by the convent's request of a dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
of 300 guineas and a pair of silver candlesticks.
Dadda goes home to find the pianola gone and that the Brazendales were adopting the baby. Dadda objects but Billy says it is nothing to do with him. Seeing his daughters return with the baby and shaken by recent events, Dadda takes the temperance pledge
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
again and registers his grandson's birth, naming him Victor William Moss. He also asks if he can come home. His children welcome him back.
(Originally broadcast: 2 March 2007)
External links
- Lilies at BBC.co.ukBbc.co.ukBBC Online is the brand name and home for the BBC's UK online service. It is a large network of websites including such high profile sites as BBC News and Sport, the on-demand video and radio services co-branded BBC iPlayer, the pre-school site Cbeebies, and learning services such as Bitesize...
- Lilies at World ProductionsWorld ProductionsWorld Productions is a British television production company, founded in the early 1990s by acclaimed producer Tony Garnett. The company's first major series was the police drama Between The Lines , and throughout the decade they went on to produce a succession of highly successful drama series...
- Lilies press pack at BBC Press Office