An embittered spinster rains vengeance upon her wealthy family after a beautiful niece steals her handsome protégé in this classic BBC drama based on the novel by Honoré de Balzac and starring revered British actress Helen Mirren in her very first mini-series. Cousin Bette is approaching middle-age, and earns her keep as an embroiderer whose beautiful work belies the pent-up resentment she feels towards her wealthy family. When her handsome protégé runs off with her gorgeous young niece, an infuriated Bette determines to make the lives of her pompous family members a living hell. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi