After the extraordinary success of "Saturday Sunday Monday", Zeffirelli directed "Filumena", the English version of Eduardo de Filippo's renowned play "Filumena Marturano". Once again, the adaptation was entrusted to Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall — the former a journalist and novelist, the latter a playwright — together a prolific duo of screenwriters for cinema and television. And once again, the lead role was played by Joan Plowright.
Opposite her, the character of Domenico Soriano was portrayed by Colin Blakely, who was replaced in the second half of the season by Frank Finlay, who had played the leading role in "Saturday Sunday Monday" in 1973. The set and costumes were designed by Raimonda Gaetani, Eduardo de Filippo's frequent collaborator, who in this production adhered to exquisitely naturalistic tones, emphasizing the Italian character of the setting.