London, end of the 19th century: the both highly gifted and eccentric artist and notorious lone wolf Louis Wain lives with his mother and five sisters in a turbulent home where nothing is lacking - except money. As the man of the house the responsibility of feeding the family falls onto him, which is why he - begrudgingly - accepts a position as illustrator for the Illustrated London News. A decision which completely changes his life, as his drawings of cats become world-famous. And if that wasn't enough, he falls head over heels in love with Emily Richardsen, the new governess hired for his sisters. Against all opposition within the family, the two become a couple. Everything finally seems to be looking up, when a stroke of fate brings him to face a wholly different challenge...