Married to the Prime Minister

A Documentary Special for Channel 4

For the first time on TV, in MARRIED TO THE PRIME MINISTER, the current PM’s wife Cherie Booth explores the role of the Prime Minister’s spouse through the lens of history. She meets with previous PMs’ spouses Clarissa Eden, Mary Wilson and Norma Major, and the families of former Prime Ministers, and talks about the privileges and dramas of living behind the famous black door of 10 Downing Street. Cherie discovers how each of her predecessors managed the role of supportive partner and hears stories of being an often invisible witness to the history of the last fifty years. They talk about life ‘above the shop’ in the glare of the public spotlight. When home is the most famous office in the land, politics often invades. And the film shows how the inside of number 10 has changed with each succeeding occupant. For MARRIED TO THE PRIME MINISTER we filmed Cherie on her daily round of duties, including her legal commitments, her charity functions, and on her travels abroad with the Prime Minister. In the era of the 24 hour news culture, the role of the PM’s spouse is now increasingly controversial. Has the job kept up with contemporary changing expectations and what precisely is expected of the individual who is MARRIED TO THE PRIME MINISTER?

MARRIED TO THE PRIME MINISTER is directed by Janice Sutherland and produced by Cate Haste. Executive Producer is Taylor Downing.

MARRIED TO THE PRIME MINISTER is a Flashback Television production for Channel 4.

*Channel 4 Screening*

On Thursday 1st December 2005, Channel 4 held a special advance screening of MARRIED TO THE PRIME MINISTER at the Channel 4 headquarters in London. Amongst those in attendance from production and media was Cherie Booth herself. The photograph taken below from the event pictures her with other special guests from the programme.

A very rare moment: Cherie Booth, the Prime Minister's wife, with two of the three surviving Prime Minister's spouses, Clarissa Eden on the left and Mary Wilson on the right. They are surrounded by Janice Sutherland, director and writer of MARRIED TO THE PRIME MINISTER on the left, and Taylor Downing,Executive Producer, on the right.

Director: Janice Sutherland
Producer: Cate Haste
Executive Producer: Taylor Downing