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Watch Mrs Wilson on many PBS stations on March 31 (Episodes 1 and 2) and April 7 (Episode 3).

Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre, Luther) stars in a fascinating role that is based on her grandmother Alison's life in the new PBS program Mrs Wilson. Iain Glen plays her grandmother's husband, Major Alexander Wilson, who was a fiction writer, spy and MI6 agent.

The story takes place in the early to mid 1960s with flashbacks to the 1940s during World War II. Without giving away the main subject of the story, it can be described as incredible, even bizarre. The adage that truth is stranger than fiction applies. The performance of Ruth Wilson is riveting and the cinematography and whole production is outstanding. The plot engages the viewer in a series of mysteries that are brought out of the shadows by the investigations of Alison into her husband's past.

Shortly into the first episode, Major Wilson dies unexpectedly of a heart attack. Events then occur to lead his wife Alison to question everything about their life together. The rest of the story is about her quest to find out who her husband really was as she simultaneously tries to shield her two sons from the emotional turmoil that she and others who were close to her husband experience.

There are many contrasts that drive the production . . . the wonderfully detailed period decor of the 60s versus the 40s . . . the general stoicism of the character of Alison punctuated by agonizing emotional explosions . . . family secrets and revelations . . . and despair and faith.

The final episode presents a resolution that doesn't answer all questions but that presents a family who have tackled life's uncertainties and made a measure of peace with them.