THE KEEPER OF THE KING’S MENAGERIE
Set in London in the 1820s, inspired by real events, The Keeper explores the crossroads where
Regency romance meets elephants, lions, tigers, and the Horse Whisperer.
Format: 6 x 60’ limited TV series
Genre: Historical, family drama
Written by: Judith Bunting
Contact: judith@judithbunting.com +44 7914 835 073
Logline: In 1820s London, a committed animal keeper is hired to reinvigorate King George IV’s menagerie at the Tower of London. Before our keeper can save his beloved animals, he must navigate the powerful world of high society, tackle the nascent animal rights movement, and thwart a national war hero who threatens to destroy his life’s work.
Tone: Emotional, cinematic, and rooted in character, The Keeper of the King’s Menagerie explores and challenges modern ideas about biodiversity and captive animals.
Themes: If you love something, set it free.
Series Overview
An introverted military farrier, FRED COPS, haunted by events at Waterloo, is hired as Keeper of the King’s Menagerie at the Tower of London. Impatient with authority, and reluctant to work for Royalty, he only gives in and takes the role when he sees the terrible conditions in which the creatures live. At the same time, the DUKE OF WELLINGTON decides the Tower is the perfect strategic home for the British Army. Fred Cops has a battle on his hands to protect his beloved animals. As the threat to the creatures deepens, the only way our keeper can save the menagerie is to come out of his shell, engage in society, manage an eccentric king, GEORGE IV, and accept help from a surprising new friend: animal activist, AMELIA FITZCLARENCE.
Episode Breakdown
Episodes 1 & 2: The opening episodes depict the growth of Fred Cops from lowly keeper of a celebrity elephant to Master Keeper of the King of England’s Menagerie. Using skills from the battlefield, he grows the menagerie from a mangey ragbag of outcasts to a healthy collection of 300 handsome creatures, respected around the world. He wins the confidence of the King of England and meets Amelia, an active animal rights campaigner. Amelia pushes Cops to do better. He shows her what caring for animals really means. During this positive time, Wellington challenges Cops at every turn. Cops parries his military-focussed plans but, nonetheless, the menagerie is at risk. Cops and Amelia grow together as colleagues, collaborators – and finally to romance. Cops worries about the social discrepancy. Amelia highlights her curious background. She’s the tenth illegitimate offspring of the third son of a mad King. Unsurprisingly, still not married. Why shouldn’t she bond with London’s preeminent veterinarian?
Episodes 3 & 4: Halfway through the series, Chunee, the celebrated elephant, has the worst temper tantrum ever and is taken down by a firing squad. Devastated he was not there to save his former friend, Cops fights with his friend, Edward Cross. George’s brother, Prince Frederick, dies. Amelia’s father, William, is next in line to the throne. Cops and Amelia consider what this means for their future as they walk George’s latest gift, a giraffe from Egypt through the streets of London. King George dies, William becomes King. Wellington announces closure of the menagerie in the Times newspaper. Cops’ world collapses around him.
Operating undercover at a hare-coursing event, Amelia hears Wellington plans to shoot the menagerie animals if they are not gone by Christmas. She petitions her father. William equivocates. Amelia finds she is betrothed. Cops must work alone. The new Zoological Society of London sends him away with a flea in his ear.
Episodes 5 & 6: With political pressure mounting and the expansion of the British Army at the Tower of London guaranteed, Cops’ challenge shifts from keeping his animals healthy to keeping them alive. The pressure is on. How can he find homes for more than 60 species, 250 animals? The king might house a handful at Windsor Castle, and Cops’ old friend, Edward Cross, offers to take two or three of the choicest specimens to his new Surrey Gardens, that still leaves more than 200 beautiful creatures. Amelia works with him to persuade ZSL to change their mind and find an answer to the incredible challenge of transporting this crazy collection of beasts across the biggest, busiest city in the world. With Wellington breathing down their necks, Cops finally brings the same sensitivity to building a team of keepers, collaborators, and friends, as he does to the care of his animals. The Menagerie takes to the water and the crazy collection of beasts safely skirts the city, traveling Dunkirk-style in boats of many sizes, along the new Regent’s canal. At the gates of London Zoo, Amelia is met by her new husband, Lucius Cary, and so Cops says goodbye not only to his animals, but also to the love of his life. He returns to the Tower to a whole new life.
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