Ep 101. Bonus: Masterpiece: Mrs. Wilson Behind the Scenes Featurette

Bonus: Masterpiece: Mrs. Wilson Behind the Scenes Featurette is a special episode of the British television series Mrs. Wilson, which originally aired on PBS Masterpiece. The episode provides viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series, which is based on the true story of Ruth Wilson's grandmother, Alison Wilson.

The episode begins with a brief introduction by host David Tennant, who played one of the lead roles in the series. He explains that the featurette will give viewers an inside look at the research, writing, and filming of the series, as well as interviews with the cast and crew.

First, we hear from writer Anna Symon, who explains how she became interested in the story of Alison Wilson, and how she went about researching her life. Symon reveals that she was able to access a treasure trove of letters, diaries, and photographs left by Alison, which provided her with a wealth of material to draw from. She also talks about the challenges of condensing Alison's complex life story into just three episodes.

Next, we hear from the series' producers, Ruth Kenley-Letts and Neil Blair, who discuss the casting process. They reveal that Ruth Wilson was always their first choice to play Alison, and that they were thrilled when she agreed to take on the role. They also talk about how they brought on some of the UK's top talent to populate the rest of the cast, including Iain Glen, Fiona Shaw, and Keeley Hawes.

The featurette then takes us behind the scenes of the series' filming, with a focus on the art direction and costume design. We see how the production team recreated the 1960s in exquisite detail, from the clothes and hairstyles to the furniture and wallpaper. We also hear from the costume designer, Lucinda Wright, who talks about the challenges of dressing a cast of dozens, each with their own unique style and personality.

The next segment focuses on the music of the series, which was composed by award-winning composer Anne Nikitin. We see footage of Nikitin at work in her studio, and hear about how she approached the score. Nikitin explains that she used a mix of traditional orchestral instruments and more modern electronic sounds to create a sense of tension and suspense throughout the series.

After this, we hear from the cast themselves, who talk about their experiences working on the series. Ruth Wilson reveals how she grappled with playing her own grandmother, and how it felt to uncover some of the family's dark secrets. Iain Glen, who plays Alison's husband Alec, talks about the psychological depth of the characters. Keeley Hawes, who plays Alice, Alec's second wife, reveals how she took inspiration from Alison's own writing to create the character.

Finally, the episode concludes with a montage of scenes from the series, set to Anne Nikitin's haunting music. Viewers are left with a sense of the emotional heft of the series, and an appreciation for the incredible amount of work that went into bringing it to life.

Overall, Bonus: Masterpiece: Mrs. Wilson Behind the Scenes Featurette is an engaging and informative look at the making of a remarkable series. It offers fascinating insights into the research, writing, and filming process, as well as interviews with the cast and crew that deepen our appreciation for their work. Fans of the series will find this episode to be a valuable and rewarding addition to their viewing experience.