About this time a book by author Peter Mayle was making waves on all the major bestseller lists. Called "A Year In Provence", it was an autobiographical work telling the story of Mayle and his wife's (an advertising executive and tax inspector, respectively) attempt to leave the London big city rat race behind and settle into an idyllic tranquil new lifestyle in the south of France. Their attempts to renovate a centuries-old farmhouse and adapt to the local color and customs provided a humourous look at the inevitable culture clash between two completely different lifestyles. John had read the book and was as entranced with it as millions of others had become, quickly signing on play the part of Peter Mayle in an ITV television production of the book, which, together with two successful sequels by Peter Mayle detailing the further misadventures in blending into French society, were culled to form the basis for the miniseries version of "A Year In Provence". To hear a 9-minute audio interview on Peter Mayle's experiences in Provence, CLICK HERE. For another segment with Peter discussing the sequel Encore Provence, CLICK HERE.

But the project almost didn't happen. Seeing a runaway bestseller up for grabs, Hollywood immediately pounced on the material and started a bidding war for rights to the book. An American network had even gone so far as to write up a two hour made-for-TV treatment with a preliminary cast of Richard Chamberlain and Meryl Streep in the leads. But a crafty executive from ITV television approached Mayle and, while being able to offer less in the way of money but promised a more faithful adaptation of his work, stole the project out from right under the noses of Hollywood studios. The result was a 6 hour masterpiece told in twelve 30-minute segments. Hearing of the coup, John looked forward to shooting his first major project outside of England, and sharing a working vacation with his wife on the sunny Mediterranean shores of southern France. John also welcomed the chance to do a bit of light comedy as a refreshing change of pace, something he hadn't done since his own short-lived sitcom "Home To Roost" eight years earlier.

The story follows the attempt by the Mayles to renovate their newly-acquired farmhouse, despite an unending procession of univited house guests, a language barrier, unreliable workmen, eccentric neighbors, and a never-ending series of crises. Shooting took place for 15 weeks during the spring and summer of 1992 and required the producers to rent an already occupied farmhouse similar in style to that of the real Mayles', moving all its furniture into storage, weathering and altering the building to give it the appearance of being dilapidated, then having it restored during the filming as part of the story whereupon it was returned to a very grateful owner. John worked at a demanding pace, as his character appeared in almost every shot of the series, and commonly worked along with a 50-man crew 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, for nearly four months straight. But what came out of the effort was almost magical. Peter and Annie, as portrayed by John Thaw and Lindsay Duncan, marvelously capture all of the glories that make up Provence and their stories made the books literally come to life. The series is visually stunning, the characters that we cared about so much in the books are vividly captured and in some cases even fleshed out better than in Mr. Mayle's novels.

John appreciated the fact that here was something the whole family could watch, that it was a relief to produce something where "no one was getting shot or maimed or having sex every ten minutes." Along with co-star Lindsay Duncan, they created a number of memorable scenes, among these the annual goat races, the great bread caper, or the truffle underworld of the Luberon, as well as sentimental moments such as the Mayle's efforts to help save the town's only school from closing, or mediating a dispute on finding a new Father Christmas for the village holidays.

Like his televison counterpart, John Thaw and his wife fell in love with the Provence region and purchased their own piece of paradise in a 3-bedroom home in the small village of Les Gavots, overlooking the staggering beauty of vibrant green hills and lush vineyards. Not having many shops or tourist attactions, the area is known for its privacy and tranquility and the Thaw family would often use it as a vacation spot or summer home, as often as his demanding schedule allowed.

A Year In Provence debuted on February 20, 1993, and ran for 12 consecutive weeks. While not a ratings blockbuster, it did attain a measure of cult status and provided an alternative to the usual tired sitcom fare. However, among those who watched was none other than the Queen herself, who was known to be a big Inspector Morse and Provence fan. It was while the series was ending its run on TV that the Queen invited John Thaw to Buckingham Palace in the spring of 1993 to receive the CBE (Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire). During their meeting the Queen commented on how different Thaw was from what she expected, "Seeing him play a genial Englishman in France was quite a contrast from the grumpy Inspector Morse." Being awarded the CBE was a highpoint in his life, and put John Thaw at the peak of his professional career. The lorry-driver's son had finally made good. Most actors would give their right arm to be associated with a hit television series. At this stage in his life, John had acheived two: The Sweeney in the 1970s, and Inspector Morse in the 1980s. Little could this talented actor know that yet a third hit series awaited him in the 1990s.