Let’s delve into the compelling world of Mrs Biggs, the acclaimed British TV drama that shines a powerful spotlight on the real-life story of Charmian (née Powell), the wife of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs. Here’s a richly detailed blog-style write-up—spanning key aspects, themes, production, and more—running well over 1,000 words:
Setting the Scene: A Love That Upended Lives
At its heart, Mrs Biggs is a story steeped in unexpected romance, fractured loyalties, and the crushing weight of circumstance. The drama begins in 1957, aboard a London commuter train, when 18-year-old Charmian (Sheridan Smith) meets the enigmatic, older carpenter Ronnie Biggs (Daniel Mays), who carries the weight of a criminal past. Despite her strict, headmaster father’s fierce disapproval, Charmian elopes with him, willingly trading a comfortable but oppressive life for one filled with uncertainty and passion.
But the fairytale quickly unravels. Money worries mount, and Ronnie, entangled with old criminal associates, turns to Bruce Reynolds—architect of Britain’s infamous 1963 Great Train Robbery—for help. Charmian, unaware of the truth, believes he’s out tree-felling. The devastating fallout will force her into a journey across continents—all in a desperate bid to keep her family intact.
A Narrative Woven From Reality
Mrs Biggs stands out not just for its plot, but for its authenticity. Scripted by acclaimed writer Jeff Pope, the series was developed with direct input from Charmian herself. She served as a consultant and even appeared in the background of a courtroom scene, lending deeply personal touches that anchor the drama in emotional truth.
Filmed across diverse locations—from the UK (London, Surrey, Manchester) to Australia (Adelaide, Melbourne) and recreated period details like a locomotive on the East Lancashire Railway—the production vividly transports the audience through time, places, and the fragile arc of Charmian’s life.
Episodes at a Glance: A Five-Part Journey
The miniseries spans five intense episodes, each peeling back another layer of Charmian’s trials:
- Episode One: Romance and rebellion; Charmian meets Ronnie, defies her parents, elopes, and ends up with a suspended sentence as he’s jailed.
- Episode Two: Discovery of the robbery, growing fear, and a trial that ends in Ronnie’s 30-year sentence—a crushing blow that isolates them further.
- Episode Three: Betrayal and escape—Charmian’s affair, an illegal abortion, and then Ronnie’s dramatic prison break. She flees to Australia with their children and Jerry, eventually reuniting with him in Adelaide.
- Episode Four: Displacement and desperation—Money runs out. They move to Melbourne. Ronnie’s identity is exposed; Charmian is arrested and the children are taken into care. She negotiates a deal with media mogul Packer to regain custody.
- Episode Five: Tragedy and heartbreak—Their eldest son Nicky dies in a car crash. Charmian rebuilds her life, while Ronnie sinks into loneliness in Rio. The series ends with a fractured reunion, as Ronnie asks for a divorce so he can marry another woman, leaving Charmian to chart a new future for herself and her children.
Cast & Performances: Bringing History to Life
- Sheridan Smith brings Charmian to life with haunting empathy. Her performance won her the 2013 BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress, and earned nominations at both the National Television Awards and Royal Television Society.
- Opposite her, Daniel Mays delivers a layered portrayal of Ronnie—tough, charismatic, and tragic—earning a nomination for Outstanding Male Dramatic Performance at the NTAs.
- The supporting cast—Adrian Scarborough and Caroline Goodall as Charmian’s disapproving parents, plus a strong ensemble including Tom Brooke, Caroline Goodall, and Jay Simpson—adds emotional depth and context to Charmian’s world.
Themes: Love, Identity, and the Cost of Freedom
The Shifting Definition of Freedom
Charmian’s journey is a potent exploration of what it means to be free. Initially, freedom is romantic and rebellious—escaping a stifling home. Yet, as her life spins out of control, freedom becomes elusive: legal scorn, societal condemnation, and geographic displacement define her. Ultimately, freedom is redefined when she divorces Ronnie—not out of malice, but love—recognizing that her identity and those of her children matter more.
Love’s Complicated Loyalty
Charmian’s love for Ronnie is profound and profoundly flawed. She supports him through his crimes, imprisonment, and life on the run. Yet the series doesn’t glorify her devotion—it interrogates it. The emotional gravitational pull is realistic and deeply heartbreaking, particularly when Ronnie prioritizes his own freedom in Brazil over their family.
The Ripple Effect of Crime
This is the untold story not of the thieves, but of those left behind. Charmian is not just an accessory to Ronnie’s crimes—she is a person uprooted, vilified, and forced to navigate impossible circumstances. The narrative underscores how notoriety and crime ripple outward into everyday life.
Craft & Production: Authenticity Meets Drama
Directed by Paul Whittington, and penned by Jeff Pope—who is renowned for true-crime dramatizations—the series displays impressive craftsmanship. The set design, costuming (evolving from 1950s beehive hair to 1970s styles), and cinematography convey decades of societal change and personal wear.
Films of the Great Train Robbery sequence on a historic locomotive evoke visceral tension and scale; Sheridan Smith and Daniel Mays’ physical transformations across time underscore the emotional metamorphoses they undergo.
Reception & Cultural Impact
Critically, Mrs Biggs was acclaimed—particularly praising Smith’s emotionally immersive performance. It secured a BAFTA and several major nominations, confirming its resonance with both audiences and critics.
On platforms like Letterboxd, viewers called it “brilliant” and “incredible,” highlighting its binge-worthy emotional impact and narrative pull.
Why It Matters: A Story of Hidden Strength
Mrs Biggs is more than period drama—it’s a deep meditation on the sacrifices borne by those living in the shadows of headline-making criminals. It examines the ambiguity of morality, the weight of maternal love, and the evolution of a woman’s resilience.
Charmian’s story—often overshadowed by the grandeur of the Great Train Robbery—takes center stage here. We follow her not as “Mrs Biggs,” accessory to a criminal, but as Charmian—a woman who endured, adapted, and eventually chose herself.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Watch That Haunts
For anyone interested in true-crime narratives told from the side of the overlooked and the courageous, Mrs Biggs is an essential watch. It moves beyond sensationalism, opting instead for human complexity. Sheridan Smith’s performance anchors this, but it’s Charmian’s voice—quiet, determined, fragile, fierce—that lingers long after the credits roll.
The series reminds us that the most compelling stories are often those whispered from the margins: tales of love, hardship, identity, and ultimately, the reclaiming of self.
