The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1978)

Beloved actress Geraldine McEwan (Agatha Christie's Marple, The Magdalene Sisters) is imperious, unorthodox teacher Jean Brodie in this seven-part television miniseries. Adapted from the novel by Muriel Spark, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie tells the stories of impressionable young ladies at the Marcia Blaine School for Girls in Edinburgh, revealing their lives, their famililes, and the challenges they face growing up in 1930s Scotland. Devoted to her students, Miss Brodie endeavors to fill them with a love of art and culture and as much self-confidence as she possesses. In so doing, she offends the conservative Miss Gaunt, tests the patience of headmistress Miss Mackay, and incites the passions of married art instructor Teddy Lloyd (John Castle, The Lion in Winter). McEwan gives an indelible performance that Spark herself considered the quintessential portrayal of the iconic character.