Watch StreamingCommunity. Set during the London season of 1895, An Ideal Husband is a dazzling blend of farce and morality that explores human frailty and social hypocrisy Sir Robert Chilterns secret is discovered and exposed. He is accused of having exploited government secrets for his own gain early in his political career. With this revelation from Mrs. Cheveley comes the threat of blackmail and the ruin of Sir Robert's career. Yet in order to be a successful blackmailer, one's own reputation must be beyond reproach.