Character Relationship Map: The Lie

Characters

• Anna Firth (played by Gemma Jones) — protagonist

  Anna Firth is the academic wife in the central couple, portrayed by Gemma Jones. The plot summary describes her relationship with her successful architect husband as cool and brittle, placing the stra...

• Andrew Firth (played by Frank Finlay) — protagonist

  Andrew Firth is a successful architect, portrayed by Frank Finlay, and the husband in the central couple. The plot summary characterizes his relationship with his academic wife as cool and brittle, ma...

• Ellis Anderson (played by John Carson) — supporting
• Anna's father (played by Mark Dignam) — supporting
• Katherine (played by Annette Crosbie) — supporting
• Albert (played by Joss Ackland) — supporting
• Esther (played by Caroline Blakiston) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Anna's father → Anna Firth (father)
• Ellis Anderson → Albert (Professional Business Partner) — Professional relationship between Ellis and Albert
• Anna Firth → Ellis Anderson (Romantic Lover) — Secret affair between Anna and Ellis
• Anna Firth → Andrew Firth (Family Husband) — Married couple experiencing marital issues

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Anna Firth → Esther (Social Acquaintance) — Casual social acquaintance
• Anna Firth → Katherine (Conflict Rival) — Katherine suspects Anna's infidelity
• Andrew Firth → Katherine (Social Confidante) — Andrew shares his marital problems with Katherine
• Andrew Firth → Ellis Anderson (Social Friend) — Close friendship between Andrew and Ellis

Story Analysis

The supplied reference presents a strained marital relationship within an internationally commissioned television-theatre project.

Plot Progression

1. A Brittle Marriage — The available synopsis introduces a cool and brittle relationship between a successful architect and his academic wife. It provides the central interpersonal premise but no named characters.
2. Two Contrasting Identities — The relationship is defined through the contrast between architectural success and academic identity. The synopsis does not provide further domestic events or specific confrontations.
3. A European Commission — The production was commissioned by the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation for a project involving European broadcasting organizations. The project was designed to support simultaneous transmission in se...
4. Separate Television Versions — The source identifies a UK Play For Today version directed by Alan Bridges and an American CBS version directed by Alex Segal. These production details conclude the supplied reference.