With her five children now grown up Caroline Fairchild decides to resume her former career in the cut-throat world of publishing. Against the wishes of husband Donald also working in the industry she takes up the position of Editorial Director for her old company Oasis Publishing - little realising it is now part of an American conglomerate that is also poised to take over Donald's employer. Finding that megalomaniac director Edgar Frankland Jr. takes a harsh line on married couples working together within his empire Caroline and Donald devise an unorthodox yet practical solution - they become an undercover couple. The ploy seems to work - but there is one unpalatable aspect for Donald: he now finds himself taking orders from his wife... Partly inspired by the difficulties faced by the wife of writer (and sometime Minder star) George Layton on returning to professional life after having had two children Executive Stress reunites Penelope Keith - who brings what one reviewer described as 'wit finesse and a touching vulnerability' to the role of Caroline - and her To the Manor Born co-star Peter Bowles as well as Good Life producer John Howard Davies; this second series also features a guest appearance by legendary broadcaster Melvyn Bragg. The theme song composed by Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice is sung by Julie Covington.
