During 2008, Alex Kingston took on the lead role in the 8-part BBC drama; Hope Springs. She played the character of Ellie Williams alongside actors Vinette Robinson (Josie Porritt), Sian Reeves (Hannah Temple) and Christine Bottomley (Shoo Coggan).
Characters (from left): Hannah, Ellie, Shoo & Josie.
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Four sexy female ex-cons attempting to go straight. With the help of £3 million, stolen from Ellie's rich gangster husband Roy (Mark Frost), they plan to head out to the sunny safety of Barbados to begin their new lives. However, when their long-thought-out plan goes wrong, they find themselves staying in the remote Scottish village of Hope Springs – a village set to change each of their lives forever.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: When the girls' long-held plan to start a new life in Barbados - courtesy of £3million stolen from Ellie's gangster husband Roy - goes awry, they head north for Scotland. Their escape plans in tatters and Roy's vengeful hitman, Marius, hot on their tails, the girls stumble across what seems like the perfect hideaway - a ramshackle hotel in a remote Scottish village called Hope Springs.
Episode 2: Their millions burnt to a cinder following the mysterious fire, Ellie, Hannah, Shoo and Josie face the harsh reality that their Barbados dream is all but over. Broke and desperate, it seems that their only option is to rob Sadie of the thousands they paid for the hotel but, feeling decidedly unwelcome, Sadie sets her sights on buying a luxury new flat. The girls need to stop her before she discovers her money's missing. Elsewhere, Ann Marie and Euan meet to discuss a secret venture but it is clear there's more to their relationship than just business.
Episode 3: Back with her friends in Hope Springs, Shoo puts all thoughts of her ex-boyfriend out of her mind, focusing her attentions on new beau Dean. However, trouble comes calling when a jealous Ronan snaps after seeing Shoo kiss Dean. A fight erupts between the feuding local lads until an enraged Josie breaks it up.
Episode 4: The news of Nathan’s murder strikes fear into the hearts of Ellie, Hannah, Shoo and Josie. Believing the net is tightening in on them, the girls decide to leave Hope Springs, but with no money or passports they must resort to stealing other people’s identities. As they all prepare to make their long-awaited getaway, doubts arise, and then events take a dramatic turn after Sadie makes a startling discovery, forcing them to take drastic action.
Episode 5: It’s the day of Ann Marie and Gil’s wedding but mother-of-the-bride, Sadie, will miss the celebrations – she’s a prisoner in her bedroom having discovered that Ellie, Hannah, Shoo and Josie are ex-cons on the run! Convinced they might have dubious plans for her, Sadie decides to escape, but she soon becomes the least of the girls' concerns as an uninvited guest, hitman Marius, turns up at the Hope Springs Hotel, bringing along his gun for company.
Episode 6: With bits of Marius’ car washing up at the lochside, the women are under pressure to get out of Hope Springs, fast. Sadie's dodgy Lithuanian contact is happy to supply them all with fake passports, but at a price. Having run out of cash, Ellie tempts Bronius with a game of poker in the hope they can win their passports and make some money. Their situation becomes even more desperate when the police start to drag the loch. It's only a matter of time before they discover Marius' remains.
Episode 7: As the new owner of the Hope Springs Hotel, Ann Marie wants a quick sale to fund her dream move to Edinburgh. But when she decides to sell-up to a pair of flash city boys, the women hatch elaborate plans to put them off. Meanwhile at the lochside, Ronan assists Gil with the police search to find Billy’s body but, frustratingly, his scant information proves unhelpful. Just as hope begins to fade, Gil receives good news – a submerged car has been found in the loch with a severed arm in the boot.
Episode 8: Secrets and lies are revealed as Ellie and the others are forced to face up to their criminal past. Having discovered the dead body is hit man Marius, policeman Gil questions the shamed women – he wants the truth. Ellie makes the shocking confession that they’re ex-convicts on the run from her vengeful husband, Roy. Meanwhile, in prison Roy strikes a deal with the police for a quick release and heads straight for Hope Springs, determined to take revenge on his double-crossing wife and her friends.
