The Pursuit of Love viewers unnerved by Dominic West playing Lily James’ dad as he threatens to ‘thrash’ the heroine

Last night the BBC aired the long-awaited first episode of their new drama The Pursuit of Love but viewers were left uncomfortable with Dominic West playing Lily James’ father.

Some viewers said that seeing Dominic play Matthew Radlett in the adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s novel was a ‘little weird’ and ‘awkward’ after photos of them on a cosy weekend together emerged earlier this year.

Dominic’s obnoxious and irritable character was often seen yelling at Lily’s heroine Linda, including one scene in which he threatened his daughter with a whip and said he would ‘thrash’ her.

Last October, Lily, 32, and married actor Dominic, 51, were caught enjoying a weekend together in Rome.

The media storm that followed resulted in a bizarre series of events, including a staged photoshoot out the front of Dominic and his wife Catherine Fitzgerald’s home and a handwritten statement from the two.

This led to Catherine assuring the public that their marriage was fine but it is reported that she banned her husband from working with Lily again.

The Pursuit Of Love was filmed between July and October last year, with Lily and Dominic’s Italy trip taking place shortly after filming wrapped.

Set in Europe between the two World Wars, the series follows Linda and Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham) as they hunt for their ideal husbands.

Love is the only thing on Linda’s mind but her father is none too impressed, shouting: ‘An adulterous woman is the most disgusting thing there is.’

Viewers took to Twitter to share what they thought about watching the duo on screen.

One viewer wrote: ‘Well, it’s a bit awkward watching The Pursuit of Love where Dominic West plays Lily James’ dad when you know they got, erm, ‘close’ during filming..! #ThePursuitOfLove.’

Someone else tweeted: ‘Bit weird the whole Lily James and Dominic West thing when he’s playing her Dad in The Pursuit of Love.’

‘Can’t really get past the whole Lily James and Dominic West thing given that they play father and daughter #ThePursuitOfLove,’ another viewer said.

The Pursuit of Love airs Sundays at 9pm on BBC One.

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