Ep 1. Episode 1

Set in a tumultuous India of the 1930s, Indian Summers introduces viewers to the idyllic hill-station of Simla. The show commences with Episode 1 where viewers are initially introduced to Ralph Whelan (Henry Lloyd-Hughes), the Private Secretary to the Viceroy and a hardheaded Englishman. Like many of his countrymen, Ralph views India as an opportunity for profit but with rumblings of unrest throughout the country, he soon discovers that Simla may require more of him than just his willingness to look the other way.

As Ralph navigates the inner workings of the Indian administration, viewers are also introduced to Simla Club’s proprietor Cynthia Coffin (Julie Walters). Coffin is the kind of woman who knows what she wants and doesn’t hesitate to get it. A true master of manipulation, Coffin is ingratiated into the highest echelons of British society in India, entertaining the wealthy and influential who alight in Simla looking to escape the heat and enjoy the respite of the hills.

Time and setting transcend mere backdrop as Indian Summers’ writers capture the atmospheric quality of the era with exquisite detail and epic sweep. Friendships and romances blossom amidst the lush scenery of this expansive, yet petite world of the Raj. The story depicts life in colonial India through the eyes of the British elite who ruled over the vast subcontinent. The camera captures a sense of place, capturing the majesty of the peaks and the breathtaking landscape of Simla, as well as the unique tension between the British and Indian peoples.

Against this grandeur, the story's main cast is uniquely drawn, each with their own ambitions, secrets, and desires. Alongside Ralph and Cynthia, viewers are introduced to Alice Whelan (Jemima West), Ralph's estranged younger sister who has arrived in India with her young son to reunite with her brother. Still affected by memories of her past, Alice is determined to make a new life for herself in India. But, with the rain clouds ushering in the arrival of the British Army and a new set of pragmatic challenges, Alice's fresh start may prove difficult.

As the cast members settle into their new lives, viewers are also introduced to Aafrin Dalal (Nikesh Patel), a junior clerk working in the administration. Dressed in a crisp, white shirt and a black waistcoat, Aafrin's strived to make a living in the midst of a society that consistently favors British over Indian, a place where the invisible lines of race and class are so regimented that any cross-pollination between the two is manifestly opposed.

Indian Summers' first episode offers a wide range of delightful characters, clever plot twists, and sly satire, channeling a complicated period in world history with a series of multi-dimensional, nuanced characters, each acting out of both personal and economic interest in the emerging chaos. This first episode lays down the foundation for the rest of the season as characters make moves that would impact the entire show, setting in motion plots and conspiracies that will keep viewers entertained and engaged.