A powerful World War 2 drama series set in occupied France starring John Thaw. After going against the wishes of his family to join the Catholic Church twenty years earlier, Monsignor Renard returns to the town where he was born.

He finds confusion, mainly caused by an ineffectual Mayor who is at pains to reassure the anxious populace that threats of occupation are premature. Renard is given a cool reception by his brother Yves, resentful that Renard escaped the running of the family business, and is accused of scaremongering when he disagrees with the Mayor.

This tense and moving drama follows Monsignor Renard as he faces the many dilemmas brought about by his return and the imminent occupation.