It is an adaptation of the Nancy Mitford novels The Pursuit of Love (1945) and Love in a Cold Climate (1949), set between 1924 and 1940, with a screenplay adaptation by Simon Raven.

[1] It was originally broadcast on the ITV network in eight episodes.

The series starred Lucy Gutteridge, Rosalyn Landor, Michael Aldridge, Judi Dench, Vivian Pickles and Jean-Pierre Cassel.

The filming of the serial has been described as "most uncharacteristically relaxed" for the actors, as it had been scheduled during what proved to be a long-running dispute between ITV and the Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians union.

The dispute then escalated into a full strike, and filming was abandoned, with the actors being paid a retainer until it could be resumed.