In 1883, Irish-born Oscar Wilde (Stephen Fry) returned to London from America, full of talent, passion and most of all, full of himself. A few years later Wilde's wit, flamboyance and creative genius were widely renowned and he and his wife Constance had two sons whom they both loved and adored. However, as Wilde finally confronted the homosexual feelings that had gripped him since his school days, his private life flew increasingly in the face of the decidedly rigid social conventions of late Victorian society. This was to lead him into a passionate and stormy relationship which would consume and ultimately destroy both him and his family.