ITV, 1995, 4 episodes

Dangerous Lady, adapted from the Martina Cole novel of the same name, charts the rise to fame and notoriety of the Ryans who become one of the foremost criminal families in London. The youngest of the brood is Maura Ryan (Susan Lynch) who is destined to become the ‘Dangerous Lady’ of the title by following her brothers into the ‘family business’.

At first Maura is shielded from the family’s activities but after a failed love affair with policeman Terry (Owen Teale) and as her adored eldest brother Michael (Jason Isaacs) starts to lose his grip, she finds herself propelled forward into a brutal new world, much to the horror of her mother Sarah (Sheila Hancock). Maura quickly wins respect and becomes a force to be reckoned with, but as the violence around both her and her family intensifies she decides that she must try and found a way out, but it may already be far too late…

Principal Cast:
Maura Ryan: SUSAN LYNCH; Michael Ryan: JASON ISAACS; Sarah Ryan: SHEILA HANCOCK; Terry Patterson: OWEN TEALE; Geoff Ryan: Cal Macaninch; Boyd-Templeton: ROY MARSDEN; Roy Ryan: JAMES BOWERS; Garry Ryan: PHILIP WRIGHT; Lee Ryan: JOHN THOMSON; Benjamin Ryan: FRANK GRIMES; Caroline Trowbridge: JANINE; Benny Ryan: MORGAN JONES; Marge: SOPHIE STANTON; Johnson: ALAN HUNTER; D I Murphy: SEAN McGINLEY; Johnny: RENE ZAGGER; Dopolis: ANDY LUCAS

Award:
Nominee – Writers Guild of Great Britain: Best Television Adaptation

Reviews:
‘Brilliant… believable right down to the last tart and lamppost’ – The Times