[1] The story is an adaptation of Sarah Waters' 2002 novel of the same name and follows a con man who plans to seduce and defraud a wealthy heiress with the help of a young orphaned woman.

Directed by Aisling Walsh, it stars Sally Hawkins, Imelda Staunton, Elaine Cassidy, Rupert Evans and Charles Dance.

But when Mrs. Sucksby's old friend Richard Rivers (Rupert Evans), known as Gentleman, offers 20-year-old Sue £2,000 to assist him in one of his scams, she cannot resist.

Passing himself off as a proper gent, Rivers has befriended a young lady, Maud Lilly (Elaine Cassidy), who stands to inherit a fortune when she marries.

Arriving at Briar, the estate where Maud lives with her wealthy bookish Uncle Lilly (Charles Dance), Sue enters another world.

On Sue's advice, Maud accepts Rivers' proposal of marriage as a way of gaining her freedom from her uncle.

But in a dramatic twist, Sue is taken to the madhouse as "Mrs Rivers" and she realises that Maud has been in on the plan from the very beginning.

In reality, Maud was orphaned and brought up by her uncle, a cruel man, who hardened her heart.

Despite Maud being guilty of Rivers' murder, Mrs. Sucksby confesses to protect both girls and soon after is executed for the crime.