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In 2011, Dyan Cannon first penned her book “Dear Cary” about her relationship and marriage to Cary Grant. That same year, their daughter Jennifer penned her book “Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of My Father, Cary Grant.” They both reveal much about the man that women around the world swooned over and men wanted to be — even Cary himself. “Archie” is a four-part drama based on the Cannon book along with other information. Both Cannon and Jennifer Grant are executive producers on this project.

Jason Isaacs stars as Archibald Alexander Leach, aka Cary Grant. The series takes viewers on an emotional journey as the young lad suffered greatly within his family. By now, most fans of the actor know that for a big part of his life, Grant was under the impression his mother had died. But that was not the case.

He joined an acrobatic team at the young age of 14, went with them from Bristol to the United States, left the troupe, took bit parts and soon became the American icon we all know today. Or do we? (Note: As I discovered while reading Cannon’s book and viewers will discover when they watch this show, Grant was a complex character. His persona was well crafted and he said even he would like to be Cary Grant.)

He had a number of failed marriages; however, the one with Cannon, 33 years his junior, was the only union that produced a child, Jennifer. Grant was a devoted father and as much as he wanted to be the best actor he could be, he felt the same way about being a father.

There are many things about this man that will possibly, or probably, infuriate viewers, as it did me when I read the book. He was very controlling, to the point of buying a new wardrobe for Dyan and turning her into the wife he thought she should be. His personality quirks were strange to watch play out on the screen, yet we must all remember him not for the odd things he did that he felt were right and just but for the countless hours of enjoyment he provided audiences around the world. Who has not seen a Cary Grant movie? If you haven’t, you are probably under the age of 10, as his films are classics and continue to stream around the world on a daily basis.

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Grant had so many challenges to face during his life. He also, while in public, wanted to live up to the leading man persona he had created.

There are some strong physical resemblances between Isaacs and Grant, and even a stronger resemblance between Laura Aikman and her character in the series, Dyan Cannon. They look so much alike it is as if we are viewing Dyan all those years ago. As a matter of fact, Jennifer looks so much like her mother it is surprising she did not take the part. Aikman is fantastic as the young actress working her way up the ladder.

While most women would jump at the chance to be with Cary Grant, Cannon was not one of them. Sure, she was excited this man was interested in her, but it took a lot of his charisma and charm to persuade her to marry him. He did not consider himself marriage material, but Cannon insisted she wanted a conventional marriage with a family.

Grant’s relationship with his mother, once he discovered she was alive, was also a very complex one.

The script by Jeff Pope reveals much about this iconic man/character. There are things that were not in Cannon’s book, and many of the interesting parts of her book are also missing, but it is only a four-part series and Pope did a great job telling as much of Grant’s story as he could in the time allotted. (Note: Read Cannon’s book)

The series jumps back and forth between the past when Grant was a young boy to the 1960s with his relationship with Cannon and even beyond.

There is no doubt this film will entertain and at times frustrate viewers. But it does reveal the man behind the curtain, aka Cary Grant, whose career and charming persona, not to mention his humor, are front and center in American entertainment history. Yes, he dabbled with LSD, something that is widely known, and yes, there are performances within the series depicting other famous people who were part of Grant’s life (Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, George Burns and more).

For a fascinating look at Archibald Leach and Cary Grant, check out “Archie.” It premieres Thursday on BritBox.

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