Mrs. Wilson is the stranger-than-fiction tale of how a British World War II agent got away with being married to multiple women simultaneously, all while keeping in contact with them and “never missing a child’s birthday.” The women, of course, were unaware of one another. It sounds like the premise of a true crime doc on Netflix, or perhaps a cheesy reenacted drama on the Lifetime channel. Instead, it’s the basis of a BBC three-parter that unfolds in elegant and compelling ways. In an inspired move, the series stars Ruth Wilson, who is the real-life granddaughter of the protagonist Alison Wilson. As she uncovers buried truth after buried truth, the more complex Wilson’s web of lies becomes, and the more eager we are to see how everyone reacts to one another. A smart script, sensitive treatment, and skilled performances elevate this from a story of mere (but relatable) marital woes to a story of passion and determination, with some pretty period details to boot.

I can’t imagine what it must’ve felt like for Ruth Wilson to portray her grandmother. On the one hand, it could’ve felt euphoric, because no one else could do it but her. But on the other, re-living her horrors and creeping that deep into one’s family lore must’ve been exhausting.