What If It's Raining

What If It's Raining
GenreDrama
Written byAnthony Minghella
Directed byStephen Whittaker
Starring
ComposerBarrington Pheloung
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes3
Production
ProducerMark Shivas
Production locationsBristol, England, UK
Running time60 minutes
Production companies
  • Channel Four Films
  • Limehouse Productions
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release3 July (1986-07-03) –
17 July 1986 (1986-07-17)

What If It's Raining is a three-part British television drama mini-series, written by Anthony Minghella and directed by Stephen Whittaker, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 3 July 1986. The series is set in Bristol and explored the emotional and psychological pressures that lead to separation and divorce through the intertwined lives of different couples. The series was divided into three 50-minute episodes, with each focusing heavily on a specific character's perspective on their failing relationships.[1]

The series initially broadcast at 9:30pm on Thursdays[2] for three consecutive weeks between 3 and 17 July 1986, although was later re-edited from three episodes into one hour and fifty minute feature-length film and rebroadcast on Tuesday 2 December[3] later this year.

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1"Stephen WhittakerAnthony Minghella3 July 1986 (1986-07-03)
Dominic (Michael Maloney) and Marilyn (Deborah Findlay) are married but estranged, both doting on their young baby but involved in extramarital affairs.[4]
2"Episode 2"Stephen WhittakerAnthony Minghella10 July 1986 (1986-07-10)
Marilyn has left Dominic and gone to stay in Bristol with Philip (Miles Anderson), taking the baby with her. Dominic spends his first weekend alone with Jack (Jack Bentall), and they meet a fascinating woman.[5]
3"Episode 3"Stephen WhittakerAnthony Minghella17 July 1986 (1986-07-17)
There are now other women in Dominic's life, whilst Marilyn is trying to cope with a new town, a new baby and a new life, plus the guilt of having walked out on the marriage. Dominic is playing things a bit too tight for comfort. Marilyn find courage and the worm turns.[6]

Home media

Subsequently, the series remains commercially unreleased on either VHS or DVD.

Critical reception

The Channel 4 drama examined the emotional fallout and shifting dynamics of these marriages in an intimate, slice-of-life style characteristic of the era's original television plays.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Rose, David (2 November 2022). "Channel 4 Drama, 1982-91". Forgotten Television Drama. Royal Holloway University of London. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "TV Times Thames/LWT and Channel Four Edition Programmes 28 June - 4 July 1986". TV Times. Future plc. p. 71. Retrieved 8 July 2026.(subscription required)
  3. ↑ "TV Times Thames/LWT and Channel Four Edition Programmes 29 Nov - 5 Dec 1986". TV Times. Future plc. p. 91. Retrieved 8 July 2026.(subscription required)
  4. ↑ "What If It's Raining? Part 1". BFI. 3 July 1986. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "What If It's Raining? Part 2". BFI. 10 July 1986. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "What If It's Raining? Part 3". BFI. 17 July 1986. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  7. ↑ Rose, David (22 September 2022). "Channel 4 Drama – The Early Years". Forgotten Television Drama. Royal Holloway University of London. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
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