The Line of Beauty is a British drama television serial that was first broadcast on BBC Two on 17 May 2006. The three-part series, written by Andrew Davies and directed by Saul Dibb, is an adaptation of the 2004 novel of the same name by Alan Hollinghurst. Cast 3 episodes Dan Stevens as Nick Guest Tim McInnerny as Gerald Fedden Hayley Atwell as Catherine Fedden Alice Krige as Rachel Fedden Carmen du Sautoy as Elena Alex Wyndham as Antoine 'Wani' Ouradi James Bradshaw as Polly Tompkins Oliver Coleman as Toby Fedden Lydia Leonard as Penny Kent Don Gilet as Leo Charles Christopher Fairbank as Barry Groom 2 episodes Oscar James as Brentford John Warnaby as Badger John Standing as Lord Kessler Siri Svegler as Martine Nikki Amuka-Bird as Rosemary Charles Justin Salinger as Russel Caroline Blakiston as Lady Partridge Julia St. John as Greta Timms David Yelland as John Timms John Quayle as Geoffrey Titchfield Bruno Lastra as Tristao Tom Knight as Norman Kent Episode list Reception The Independent called the series an "intelligent, properly grown-up drama." Matt Wells of The Guardian said it was a "creative flop" and "it exposed how poorly the BBC serves gay viewers." Sam Wollaston, also writing for The Guardian, praised the series and called it "wonderful". Rupert Smith, also with The Guardian, said it was a "masterclass in storytelling - but surely there was more to the 1980s than a few posh people with glossy hair?" Home media The DVD edition was released on 31 July 2006. References External links 2000s British drama television series 2000s British LGBT-related television series 2000s British television miniseries 2006 British television series debuts 2006 British television series endings BBC television dramas English-language television shows Television shows written by Andrew Davies Television shows based on British novels Television series set in the 1980s Television shows set in the United Kingdom