Tato sága se noří do spletitých osudů jedné prominentní britské rodiny napříč dvacátým stoletím. Série mistrovsky kombinuje rodinná dramata, společenskou satiru a napínavé zápletky. Sledujeme generace těchto vlivných jedinců, jejich ambice, zrady a skrytá tajemství. Je to poutavý pohled na moc, třídu a lidskou povahu, vše podbarvené ostrovtipným humorem.
Michael is a lonely writer, obsessed by a film featuring a mad knifeman. When he is commissioned to write the family history of the Winshaws he realizes that the family have cast a blight on his life and he decides to take his revenge by re-enacting his favourite film.
Childhood friends Rachel and Alison are about to go on a journey into the strange, surreal heart of Britain in the early years of our new century. Helplessly swept along on tides they can no more understand than control, Rachel and Alison discover a nation disillusioned by reality yet obsessed with reality TV. They encounter morally bankrupt bankers and people queuing at food banks. And at the centre of this new state of things they find an old family who will do anything to ensure that the country is run for their benefit.