Some like it hot

Natascha McElhone and Mark Umbers feel the heat of the Italian Riviera in the third series of Hotel Portofino

- WORDS: LAURA CARRENO-MULLER

Unhappily married couple Cecil and Bella Ainsworth are finally calling it quits in the 1920s-set drama and this time, their split is official.

"At the end of season two, it's pretty obvious the marriage is over, but the d-word hadn't come up at this point,” says Mark Umbers, who plays Cecil. “He's fallen for the daughter of his very rich financial advisor and decides it's a good thing, and he returns to Portofino to ask for a divorce.”

Cecil's estranged wife Bella, who is played by Natascha McElhone, has been doing her best to move forward - with a little help from local architect Marco, played by Giorgio Marchesi - but she’s mostly concerned about finding her independence. “She feels there’s less and less to lose,” Natascha says. “Her kids are raised, even her granddaughter. It's like her first teenage rebellion, it’s a bit reckless.”

Enter her pal Claudine (Lily Frazer), who encourages Bella to break out of her shell. “She gets a license from Claudine to shake up the snow globe and not play by the rules any more,” Natascha explains.