The Jewel in the Crown (1984)

Historical events meet fictional characters in The Jewel in the Crown (1984). Set at the end of the British Raj in 1940s India, this 14-part series is based on Paul Scott’s books “The Jewel in the Crown” (1966), “The Day of the Scorpion” (1968), “The Towers of Silence” (1971), and “A Division of the Spoils” (1975). The small screen saga begins during World War II with Hari Kumar (Art Malik). He’s a young Indian man who identifies as a Brit since he attended UK schools. While working as a journalist, he falls for an English aristocrat named Daphne Manners (Susan Wooldridge). But when they hook up in the public Bibighar Gardens, a group of thugs attack Hari and assault Daphne. To make matters worse, Kumar is arrested for the crime against his own girlfriend by her ex-suitor Police Superintendent Ronald Merrick (Tim Pigott-Smith). Once Kumar is put into a local Indian jail, he endures physical and emotional humiliation. The silver lining of this awful situation is that we get to see Hari’s hairy body! In episode 7, he is forced to strip for the guards. As such, the handsome hunk wears nothing but handcuffs — exposing his chest, buns and crown jewels. Now, we know how they came up with this title for the show! The Golden Globe-winning drama also includes a view of Stuart Wilson in the nude. When the skintastic actor touts his bare chest and raw rump in episode 2, it’s clear this is Mr. Man’s  cup of T&A!