'Hotel Portofino' Season 1 Brings "First Impressions" Of the Characters
Welcome to the first recap of the new PBS period drama series Hotel Portofino. The series is advertised as a story of "personal awakening at a time of global upheaval in the traumatic aftermath of World War I and the liberating influence of Italy's enchanting culture, climate, and cuisine on elite British travelers." Viewers are immediately immersed in the chaos of an ex-pat hotelier family and their houseful of guests and staff. Considering the significant cast thrust upon us in this debut installment, titled "First Impressions," here is a rundown of the first impressions of the characters and their apparent circumstances/situations, starting with The Ainsworth Family.
Bella Ainsworth (Natascha McElhone) is the owner and enthusiastic hostess of the Hotel Portofino. This enterprise is her dream, and she puts her creativity and heart into every detail. She also hopes this move to Italy will offer the whole family a new start after the trauma of the war. Husband Cecil (Mark Umbers) is a gentleman — and I use that term loosely — who enjoys drinking and shady deals. When Bella scolds him for sneaking cash from their hotel takings, it's clear he has little interest in the business. His main concern is collecting a windfall by marrying his son into a wealthy family. Bella's unhappy marriage has moved her to rekindle a past relationship, by correspondence at least, with a fellow in England named Henry.
Son Lucian (Oliver Dench) takes after his mother because he's a passionate artist suited to the Italian way of life, not concerned with making a fortune. Being set up with an heiress of his father's choosing does not sit well with young Mr. Ainsworth. After all, he's still healing physically and mentally from some severe war wounds he sustained eight years ago. He deals with the pain through drink and late-night visits to pretty kitchen maids — in this way, he's his father's son. Daughter Alice Mays-Smith (Olivia Morris) was widowed during the war and had a young daughter named Lottie. She's second in command at the hotel but doesn't handle the stress with much grace. Like many siblings, Alice openly harbors jealousy toward her brother.
