Episodes

edit

Sourced according to the BBC Genome archive of Radio Times magazines.[1] Titles that carried the tag Play for Today on the BBC listings for their first or subsequent transmission are included, along with some repeats such as the repeat of the Days of Hope quartet, where the initial broadcast was not branded Play for Today, but the repeat was. Repeats of the individual productions are excluded. All episodes were broadcast on BBC1, except for the delayed broadcast of Scum in 1991 which was broadcast on BBC2.

Some early episodes are missing or no longer exist in colour.

Series 1 (1970–1971)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
11"The Long Distance Piano Player"Philip SavilleAlan SharpIrene ShubikRay Davies15 October 1970 (1970-10-15)
16mm black and white print.
22"The Right Prospectus"Alan CookeJohn OsborneIrene ShubikGeorge Cole22 October 1970 (1970-10-22)
33"The Lie"Alan BridgesIngmar Bergman & Paul Britten AustinGraeme McDonaldFrank Finlay29 October 1970 (1970-10-29)
A production for The Largest Theatre in the World project of the European Broadcasting Union. Winner of the 1970 Society of Film and Television Arts Award for Best Drama Production. Included on the Play for Today Volume 1 BFI Blu-ray set.[2]
44"Angels Are So Few"Gareth DaviesDennis PotterGraeme McDonaldTom Bell5 November 1970 (1970-11-05)
55"The Write-Off"Rudi DorinGeorge SalversonRudi DorinCec Linder12 November 1970 (1970-11-12)
Canadian production. Missing.
66"I Can't See My Little Willie"Alan ClarkeDouglas LivingstoneIrene ShubikNigel Stock19 November 1970 (1970-11-19)
Missing except for domestic audio recording.
77"A Distant Thunder"James FermanMaurice EdelmanIrene ShubikAdrienne Corri26 November 1970 (1970-11-26)
Missing.
88"Hearts and Flowers"Christopher MorahanPeter NicholsIrene ShubikAnthony Hopkins3 December 1970 (1970-12-03)
16mm black and white print.
99"Robin Redbreast"James MacTaggartJohn BowenGraeme McDonaldAnna Cropper10 December 1970 (1970-12-10)
Due to a power outage, the ending of this episode was blacked out in many areas, necessitating a repeat of the full episode on 25 February 1971.[3] 16mm black and white print. DVD release by the BFI.[4]
1010"The Hallelujah Handshake"Alan ClarkeColin WellandGraeme McDonaldTony Calvin17 December 1970 (1970-12-17)
Included in the Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC Blu-ray set.[5]
1111"Alma Mater"James FermanDavid HodsonIrene ShubikIan Carmichael7 January 1971 (1971-01-07)
Missing.
1212"Circle Line"Claude WhathamW. Stephen GilbertGraeme MacDonaldMichael Feast14 January 1971 (1971-01-14)
The Winner of the BBCtv Student Play Competition. Missing.
1313"Hell's Angel"Alan CookeDavid AgnewGraeme McDonaldKatharine Blake21 January 1971 (1971-01-21)
David Agnew is a BBC in-house pen name typically used when multiple writers contributed to a script. Anthony Read was the author commissioned to write the play. Missing.
1414"The Piano"James Cellan JonesJulia JonesGraeme McDonaldGlyn Owen28 January 1971 (1971-01-28)
1515"Billy's Last Stand"John GlenisterBarry HinesGraeme McDonaldDudley Foster4 February 1971 (1971-02-04)
Missing.
1616"The Rainbirds"Philip SavilleClive ExtonIrene ShubikMadge Ryan11 February 1971 (1971-02-11)
A production for The Largest Theatre in the World project of the European Broadcasting Union.
1717"Reddick"Mervyn RosenzveigMunroe ScottMervyn RosenzveigDonald Harron18 February 1971 (1971-02-18)
Canadian production. Missing.
--"No Trams to Lime Street"Piers HaggardAlun Owen (Book), Marty Wilde & Ronnie Scott (Music & Lyrics)Harry MooreAnthony May11 March 1971 (1971-03-11)
Originally an episode of The Wednesday Play.[6]
--"Mad Jack"Jack GoldTom ClarkeGraeme McDonaldMichael Jayston18 March 1971 (1971-03-18)
Originally an episode of The Wednesday Play.[6] Winner of the first prize and the silver Dore Catholic Prize at the 1971 Monte Carlo International Television Festival.
--"Scenes from Family Life"Naomi CaponBarry BermangeRonald TraversDenholm Elliott25 March 1971 (1971-03-25)
Originally an episode of Plays of Today.[6]
--"Wind Versus Polygamy"Naomi CaponObi EgbunaMichael BakewellEarl Cameron1 April 1971 (1971-04-01)
Originally an episode of Theatre 625.[6]
--"Playmates"John McGrathJohnny SpeightGraeme McDonaldMarty Feldman8 April 1971 (1971-04-08)
Originally part of "Double Bill", an episode of The Wednesday Play.[6]
--"Sovereign's Company"Alan ClarkeDon ShawIrene ShubikRoland Culver15 April 1971 (1971-04-15)
Originally an episode of The Wednesday Play.[6] Included in the Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC Blu-ray set.[5]
--"Season of the Witch"Desmond McCarthyDesmond McCarthy & Johnny ByrneAnne HeadJulie Driscoll15 April 1971 (1971-04-15)
Originally an episode of The Wednesday Play.[6]
1818"The Foxtrot"Philip SavilleRhys AdrianIrene ShubikDonald Pleasence29 April 1971 (1971-04-29)
16mm black and white print.
1919"When the Bough Breaks"James FermanTony ParkerIrene ShubikHannah Gordon6 May 1971 (1971-05-06)
2020"Orkney"James MacTaggartGeorge Mackay Brown & John McGrathGraeme McDonaldMaurice Roëves13 May 1971 (1971-05-13)
Three stories by George Mackay Brown, adapted by John McGrath: A Time to Keep, The Whaler's Return and Celia.
2121"The Rank and File"Ken LoachJim AllenGraeme McDonaldPeter Kerrigan20 May 1971 (1971-05-20)
Included on the Ken Loach at the BBC DVD boxset.[7]
2222"The Man in the Sidecar"James MacTaggartSimon GrayGraeme McDonaldGemma Jones27 May 1971 (1971-05-27)
Missing.
2323"Everybody Say Cheese"Alan ClarkeDouglas LivingstoneIrene ShubikRoy Kinnear3 June 1971 (1971-06-03)
Missing.
--"The Cellar and the Almond Tree"Alan BridgesDavid MercerGraeme McDonaldCelia Johnson10 June 1971 (1971-06-10)
Originally an episode of The Wednesday Play.
--"The Italian Table"Herbert WiseWilliam TrevorIrene ShubikLeonard Rossiter17 June 1971 (1971-06-17)
Originally an episode of The Wednesday Play.
--"There is Also Tomorrow"John MackenzieHugo CharterisGraeme McDonaldGlyn Houston24 June 1971 (1971-06-24)
Originally an episode of The Wednesday Play.
--"Chariot of Fire"James FermanTony ParkerIrene ShubikRosemary Leach1 July 1971 (1971-07-01)
Originally an episode of The Wednesday Play.

Series 2 (1971–1972)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
241"Traitor"Alan BridgesDennis PotterGraeme McDonaldJohn Le Mesurier14 October 1971 (1971-10-14)
John Le Mesurier won the 1972 BAFTA Best Actor award.
252"Edna, the Inebriate Woman"Ted KotcheffJeremy SandfordIrene ShubikPatricia Hayes21 October 1971 (1971-10-21)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 3 BFI Blu-ray set.[8] 1972 BAFTA Best Drama Production award winner and the 1972 BAFTA Best Actress award winner for Patricia Hayes.
263"Evelyn"Piers HaggardRhys AdrianGraeme McDonaldEdward Woodward28 October 1971 (1971-10-28)
274"O Fat White Woman"Philip SavilleWilliam TrevorIrene ShubikPeter Jeffrey4 November 1971 (1971-11-04)
285"Thank You Very Much"Claude WhathamN. F. SimpsonGraeme McDonaldJulian Holloway11 November 1971 (1971-11-11)
16mm black and white print.
296"Michael Regan"John GorrieRobert HollesIrene ShubikDavid Burke18 November 1971 (1971-11-18)
307"Skin Deep"Michael Lindsay-HoggMichael O'Neill & Jeremy SeabrookGraeme McDonaldDonald Pleasence25 November 1971 (1971-11-25)
Missing.
318"Pal"Silvio NarizzanoAlun OwenIrene ShubikRobin Phillips2 December 1971 (1971-12-02)
Missing.
329"The Pigeon Fancier"James FermanPeter HankinIrene ShubikBert Palmer9 December 1971 (1971-12-09)
16mm black and white print.
3310"Home"Lindsay AndersonDavid StoreyJac VenzaJohn Gielgud6 January 1972 (1972-01-06)
Adapted by the playwright from his original stage play of the same name. A NET/CBC production. DVD release by Metrodome.[9]
3411"Still Waters"James MacTaggartJulia JonesGraeme McDonaldMargery Mason13 January 1972 (1972-01-13)
3512"Stocker's Copper"Jack GoldTom ClarkeGraeme McDonaldBryan Marshall20 January 1972 (1972-01-20)
1973 Best Single Play award winner. Writers' Guild Awards 1972: Best British Original Teleplay. Included on the Play for Today Volume 2 BFI Blu-ray set.[10]
3613"The House on Highbury Hill"John GlenisterPiers Paul ReadGraeme McDonaldColin Farrell27 January 1972 (1972-01-27)
Missing.
3714"In the Beautiful Caribbean"Philip SavilleBarry ReckordIrene ShubikCalvin Lockhart3 February 1972 (1972-02-03)
Missing.
3815"Ackerman, Dougall and Harker"Ted KotcheffDon ShawIrene ShubikMartin C. Thurley10 February 1972 (1972-02-10)
3916"The Villa Maroc"Herbert WiseWillis HallIrene ShubikThora Hird17 February 1972 (1972-02-17)
4017"Cows"John GorrieHoward BarkerGraeme McDonaldAlison Leggatt24 February 1972 (1972-02-24)
Missing.
4118"The Fishing Party"Michael SimpsonPeter TersonDavid RoseBrian Glover1 June 1972 (1972-06-01)
DVD release by Simply Media.[11]

Series 3 (1972–1973)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
421"The Reporters"Michael AptedArthur HopcraftGraeme McDonaldRobert Urquhart9 October 1972 (1972-10-09)
432"A Life Is Forever"Alan ClarkeTony ParkerIrene ShubikMaurice O'Connell16 October 1972 (1972-10-16)
Missing.
443"Carson Country"Piers HaggardDominic BehanGraeme McDonaldJ. G. Devlin23 October 1972 (1972-10-23)
454"Man Friday"James MacTaggartAdrian MitchellGraeme McDonaldColin Blakely30 October 1972 (1972-10-30)
Missing.
465"Triple Exposure"Alan CookeDavid HalliwellIrene ShubikAlec McCowen6 November 1972 (1972-11-06)
476"Better Than the Movies"Roy BattersbyJohn ElliotGraeme McDonaldBryan Marshall13 November 1972 (1972-11-13)
Missing.
487"The General's Day"John GorrieWilliam TrevorIrene ShubikAlistair Sim20 November 1972 (1972-11-20)
498"The Bankrupt"Christopher MorahanDavid MercerGraeme McDonaldJoss Ackland27 November 1972 (1972-11-27)
509"Just Your Luck"Mike NewellPeter McDougallGraeme McDonaldLesley Mackie4 December 1972 (1972-12-04)
BBC DVD.[12]
5110"The Bouncing Boy"Maurice HattonJohn McGrathGraeme McDonaldNorman Eshley11 December 1972 (1972-12-11)
5211"Shakespeare or Bust"Brian ParkerPeter TersonDavid RoseJanet Suzman8 January 1973 (1973-01-08)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 1 BFI Blu-ray set.[2]
5312"Land of Green Ginger"Brian ParkerAlan PlaterDavid RoseGwen Taylor15 January 1973 (1973-01-15)
5413"Kisses at Fifty"Michael AptedColin WellandGraeme McDonaldBill Maynard22 January 1973 (1973-01-22)
1974 BAFTA Best Single Play award winner.
5514"Highway Robbery"Michael AptedMichael O'Neill & Jeremy SeabrookGraeme McDonaldJohn Collin29 January 1973 (1973-01-29)
Missing.
5615"Song at Twilight"Herbert WiseWillis HallIrene ShubikColin Blakely5 February 1973 (1973-02-05)
Missing.
5716"Only Make Believe"Robert KnightsDennis PotterGraeme McDonaldKeith Barron12 February 1973 (1973-02-12)
5817"For Sylvia, or the Air Show"Barry DavisJohn Burrows & John HardingKenith TroddJohn Burrows19 February 1973 (1973-02-19)
Missing.
5918"The Operation"Roy BattersbyRoger SmithKenith TroddGeorge Lazenby26 February 1973 (1973-02-26)
6019"Access to the Children"Philip SavilleWilliam TrevorIrene ShubikJoss Ackland5 March 1973 (1973-03-05)
6120"Hard Labour"Mike LeighMike LeighTony GarnettLiz Smith12 March 1973 (1973-03-12)
Included on the Mike Leigh at the BBC DVD set.[13]
6221"Man Above Men"Alan ClarkeDavid HareMark ShivasGwen Watford19 March 1973 (1973-03-19)
Missing.
6322"Speech Day"John GoldschmidtBarry HinesGraeme McDonaldDavid Smith26 March 1973 (1973-03-26)
6423"Steps Back"Brian ParkerDavid HalliwellDavid RoseDavid Hill14 May 1973 (1973-05-14)
6524"Three's One"Alastair ReidPenelope MortimerGraeme McDonaldHywel Bennett4 June 1973 (1973-06-04)
Missing.
6625"Edward G: Like the Filmstar"James FermanJohn Harvey-FlintGraeme McDonaldRobert Lang11 June 1973 (1973-06-11)
Missing.
6726"Blooming Youth"Leslie BlairLeslie BlairTony GarnettPhilip Jackson18 June 1973 (1973-06-18)
6827"The Stretch"Peter DewsJulia JonesGraeme McDonaldJune Ellis25 June 1973 (1973-06-25)
Missing.
6928"Making the Play"Michael HayesTerence Brady & Charlotte BinghamKenith TroddJames Bolam2 July 1973 (1973-07-02)
Missing.

Series 4 (1973–1974)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
701"Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont"Michael Lindsay-HoggElizabeth TaylorGraeme McDonaldCelia Johnson18 October 1973 (1973-10-18)
Adapted from the novel of the same name. Celia Johnson won the 1974 BAFTA Best Actress award.
712"Her Majesty's Pleasure"Barry DavisJimmy O'ConnorKenith TroddJohn Bindon25 October 1973 (1973-10-25)
723"Jack Point"Michael AptedColin WellandKenith TroddStephen Murray1 November 1973 (1973-11-01)
734"The Emergency Channel"Robert KnightsJohn BowenGraeme McDonaldRichard Pascoe8 November 1973 (1973-11-08)
Missing.
745"Mummy and Daddy"Barry DavisDouglas LivingstoneKenith TroddNeil Wilson15 November 1973 (1973-11-15)
Incomplete.
756"Private Practice"Peter CregeenPeter HankinMark ShivasPriscilla Morgan22 November 1973 (1973-11-22)
Missing.
767"Shutdown"John MackenzieTony PerrinKenith TroddFreddie Fletcher29 November 1973 (1973-11-29)
Repeated 19 June 1975.
778"Baby Blues"James MacTaggartLethbridge Nemone LethbridgeKenith TroddZena Walker6 December 1973 (1973-12-06)
789"Jingle Bells"Claude WhathamArthur HopcraftGraeme McDonaldColin Farrell13 December 1973 (1973-12-13)
Missing.
7910"The Lonely Man's Lover"Brian ParkerBarry CollinsDavid RoseJan Francis17 January 1974 (1974-01-17)
8011"All Good Men"Michael Lindsay-HoggTrevor GriffithsGraeme McDonaldBill Fraser31 January 1974 (1974-01-31)
8112"Joe's Ark"Alan BridgesDennis PotterGraeme McDonaldFreddie Jones14 February 1974 (1974-02-14)
8213"Hot Fat"Derek BennettJack RosenthalGraeme McDonaldRichard O'Callaghan21 February 1974 (1974-02-21)
Missing.
8314"Easy Go"Michael TuchnerBrian Clark & Ronnie King, Cliff Norris, Peter French, Paul Stuart, Tony Ali, Paul Bishop, Deirdre Walsh, Janice ReevesGraeme McDonaldAlun Armstrong7 March 1974 (1974-03-07)
Postponed from 7 February 1974.
8415"Headmaster"Anthony PageJohn ChallenGraeme McDonaldFrank Windsor14 March 1974 (1974-03-14)
Spun off as a series in 1977.
8516"Penda's Fen"Alan ClarkeDavid RudkinDavid RoseSpencer Banks21 March 1974 (1974-03-21)
Blu-ray and DVD by the BFI.[14] also included in the Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC Blu-ray set.[5]
8617"Pidgeon - Hawk Or Dove?"David RoseMichael SadlerDavid RoseIain Cuthbertson28 March 1974 (1974-03-28)
8718"Three for the Fancy"Matthew RobinsonPeter TersonDavid RoseBrian Glover11 April 1974 (1974-04-11)
8819"The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black Black Oil"John MackenzieJohn McGrathGraeme McDonaldCharles Kearney6 June 1974 (1974-06-06)
Adapted from the stage play of the same name. Blu-ray & DVD releases by Panamint Cinema.[15]
8920"Schmoedipus"Barry DavisDennis PotterKenith TroddAnna Cropper20 June 1974 (1974-06-20)
9021"The Childhood Friend"Mike NewellPiers Paul ReadGraeme McDonaldAnthony Hopkins27 June 1974 (1974-06-27)
9122"A Follower for Emily"Alan ClarkeBrian ClarkGraeme McDonaldHerbert Ramskill4 July 1974 (1974-07-04)
Included in the Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC Blu-ray set.[5]

Series 5 (1974–1975)

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No.
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No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
921"Leeds United!"Roy BattersbyColin WellandKenith TroddLynne Perrie31 October 1974 (1974-10-31)
932"Baby Love"Barry DavisDavid EdgarKenith TroddPatti Love7 November 1974 (1974-11-07)
Adapted from the play.
943"Back of Beyond"Desmond DavisJulia JonesGraeme McDonaldRachel Roberts14 November 1974 (1974-11-14)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 1 BFI Blu-ray set.[2]
954"The Bevellers"Moira ArmstrongRoddy McMillanPharic MacLarenRoddy McMillan21 November 1974 (1974-11-21)
965"Taking Leave"John MackenzieJoyce NearyKenith TroddGeorge Sewell28 November 1974 (1974-11-28)
976"Fugitive"Peter GillSean WalshKenith TroddStephen Rea5 December 1974 (1974-12-05)
987"Eleanor"Barry DavisWilliam TrevorIrene ShubikColin Douglas12 December 1974 (1974-12-12)
998"Gangsters"Philip SavillePhilip MartinBarry HansonMaurice Colbourne9 January 1975 (1975-01-09)
Included on the Gangsters DVD set.[16] Spun off as a TV series.
1009"The After Dinner Game"Robert KnightsMalcolm Bradbury & Christopher BigsbyDavid RoseTimothy West16 January 1975 (1975-01-16)
10110"Breath"Matthew RobinsonElaine FeinsteinDavid RoseAngela Pleasence23 January 1975 (1975-01-23)
10211"The Death of a Young, Young Man"Viktors RitelisWilly RussellDavid RoseGary Brown30 January 1975 (1975-01-30)
10312"Sunset Across the Bay"Stephen FrearsAlan BennettInnes LloydGabrielle Daye20 February 1975 (1975-02-20)
Included on the Alan Bennett at the BBC DVD boxset.[17]
10413"Funny Farm"Alan ClarkeRoy MintonMark ShivasTim Preece27 February 1975 (1975-02-27)
Included in the Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC Blu-ray set.[5]
10514"Goodbye"Gavin MillarHugh WhitemoreKenith TroddJeremy Kemp6 March 1975 (1975-03-06)
From the novel by William Sansom.
10615"Just Another Saturday"John MackenziePeter McDougallGraeme McDonaldJon Morrison13 March 1975 (1975-03-13)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 3 BFI Blu-ray set.[8] & 'The Peter McDougall Collection' DVD set.[18] Winner of the 1975 Italia Prize for Television Drama Programmes.
10716"Child of Hope"Graham EvansJohn ElliotGraeme McDonaldLeon Gluckman24 April 1975 (1975-04-24)
Based on Joel Carlson's book No Neutral Ground.
10817"The Saturday Party"Barry DavisBrian ClarkMark ShivasPeter Barkworth1 May 1975 (1975-05-01)
Repeated 25 April 1977, the day before its sequel, "The Country Party".
10918"Wednesday Love"Michael AptedArthur HopcraftGraeme McDonaldLois Daine8 May 1975 (1975-05-08)
11019"The Dandelion Clock"John BruceWilson John HaireAnn ScottVerona O'Hara15 May 1975 (1975-05-15)
Missing.
11120"Brassneck"Mike NewellHoward Brenton & David HareGraeme McDonaldJeremy Kemp22 May 1975 (1975-05-22)
Adapted from the play.
11221"The Floater"Barry DavisPeter PrinceGraeme McDonaldRichard Beckinsale29 May 1975 (1975-05-29)
11322"By Common Consent"John RobinsPaul ThompsonTBATBA5 June 1975 (1975-06-05)

TODO: overall numbering off from here!!!! Series 6 (1975–1976)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
1131"Plaintiffs and Defendants"Michael Lindsay-HoggSimon GrayKenith TroddAlan Bates14 October 1975 (1975-10-14)
1142"Two Sundays"Michael Lindsay-HoggSimon GrayKenith TroddAlan Bates21 October 1975 (1975-10-21)
1153"Moss"Philip SavilleBernard KopsIrene ShubikWarren Mitchell28 October 1975 (1975-10-28)
1164"84, Charing Cross Road"Mark CullinghamHelene Hanff & Hugh WhitemoreMark ShivasFrank Finlay4 November 1975 (1975-11-04)
Adapted from the book of the same name.
1175"Keep an Eye on Albert"Michael TuchnerBrian GloverAnn ScottSusan Tracy11 November 1975 (1975-11-11)
1186"Children of the Sun"Viktors RitelisMichael O'Neill & Jeremy SeabrookAnn ScottGodfrey James18 November 1975 (1975-11-18)
Last missing episode.
1197"After the Solo"Moira ArmstrongJohn ChallenAnn ScottLeonard Rossiter25 November 1975 (1975-11-25)
1208"Through the Night"Michael Lindsay-HoggTrevor GriffithsAnn ScottAlison Steadman2 December 1975 (1975-12-02)
1219"A Passage to England"John MackenzieLeon GriffithsKenith TroddColin Welland9 December 1975 (1975-12-09)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 1 BFI Blu-ray set.[2]
12210"Rumpole of the Bailey"John GorrieJohn MortimerIrene ShubikLeo McKern16 December 1975 (1975-12-16)
DVD release by Acorn.[19] Repeated 16 May 1993, and on BBC4 18 and 19 January 2009. Spun off as a long-running TV series of the same name on ITV (Thames Television).[20]
12311"The Other Woman"Michael SimpsonWatson GouldDavid RoseJane Lapotaire6 January 1976 (1976-01-06)
From BBC Birmingham.
12412"Nuts in May"Mike LeighMike LeighDavid RoseRoger Sloman13 January 1976 (1976-01-13)
Included on the Mike Leigh at the BBC DVD set.[13]
12513"Doran's Box"Matthew RobinsonEric ColtartDavid RosePeter Eyre20 January 1976 (1976-01-20)
Exists only as a domestic video recording.
12614"Packman's Barn"Menaul Christopher MenaulAlick RoweDavid RoseJohn Barrett27 January 1976 (1976-01-27)
12715"A Story to Frighten the Children"Herbert WiseJohn HopkinsGraeme McDonaldGeoffrey Palmer3 February 1976 (1976-02-03)
12816"The Happy Hunting Ground"Brian ParkerTom HadawayAnne HeadNeil Phillips10 February 1976 (1976-02-10)
12917"Jumping Bean Bag"Alan CookeRobin ChapmanRosemary HillDavid Dixon17 February 1976 (1976-02-17)
13018"Clay, Smeddum and Greenden"Moira ArmstrongLewis Grassic Gibbon & Bill CraigPharic MacLarenFulton Mackay24 February 1976 (1976-02-24)
Trilogy by Lewis Grassic Gibbon, dramatised by Bill Craig.
13119"Love Letters on Blue Paper"Waris HusseinArnold WeskerGraeme McDonaldPatrick Troughton2 March 1976 (1976-03-02)
13220"Willie Rough"Bob McIntoshBill BrydenPharic MacLarenJames Grant9 March 1976 (1976-03-09)
Adapted from the stage play of the same name.
13321"Tiptoe Through the Tulips"Claude WhathamBeryl BainbridgeKenith TroddRosemary Leach16 March 1976 (1976-03-16)
13422"The Peddler"Claude WhathamE. A. WhiteheadGraeme McDonaldJohn Hurt23 March 1976 (1976-03-23)
13523"Early Struggles"Stephen FrearsPeter PrinceGraeme McDonaldPaul Nicholas30 March 1976 (1976-03-30)
13624"Double Dare"John MackenzieDennis PotterKenith TroddAlan Dobie6 April 1976 (1976-04-06)
13725"The House of Bernarda Alba"Claude WhathamFederico García LorcaTBATBA28 July 1976 (1976-07-28)

TODO: The Price of Coal cleanup Series 7 (1976–1977)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
1371"Bar Mitzvah Boy"Michael TuchnerJack RosenthalGraeme McDonaldJeremy Steyn14 September 1976 (1976-09-14)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 3 BFI Blu-ray set.[8] & the 'Jack Rosenthal at the BBC' DVD set.[21] 1977 BAFTA Best Single Play award winner and Best Writer awards, 1976.
1382"Bet Your Life"Leslie BlairLeslie BlairGraeme McDonaldReginald Stewart21 September 1976 (1976-09-21)
1393"Rocky Marciano Is Dead"Graham EvansBernard KopsGraeme McDonaldRon Moody28 September 1976 (1976-09-28)
1404"The Elephants' Graveyard"John MackenziePeter McDougallGraeme McDonaldBilly Connolly12 October 1976 (1976-10-12)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 2 BFI Blu-ray set.[10] and 'The Peter McDougall Collection' DVD set.
1415"Housewives' Choice"Chris ThomsonRoy KendallKenith TroddFrances de la Tour19 October 1976 (1976-10-19)
1426"Your Man From Six Counties"Barry DavisColin WellandKenith TroddDonal McCann26 October 1976 (1976-10-26)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 1 BFI Blu-ray set.[2]
1437"Buffet"Mike NewellRhys AdrianGraeme McDonaldTony Britton2 November 1976 (1976-11-02)
1448"Love on a Gunboat"Robert KnightsMalcolm BradburyDavid RoseStephen Moore4 January 1977 (1977-01-04)
1459"The Kiss of Death"Mike LeighMike LeighDavid RoseDavid Threlfall11 January 1977 (1977-01-11)
Included on the Mike Leigh at the BBC DVD set.[13]
14610"Our Flesh and Blood"Pedr JamesMike StottDavid RoseBernard Hill18 January 1977 (1977-01-18)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 1 BFI Blu-ray set.[2]
14711"Do As I Say"Barry DavisCharles WoodGraeme McDonaldAngela Down25 January 1977 (1977-01-25)
14812"Spend, Spend, Spend"John GoldschmidtJack RosenthalGraeme McDonaldSusan Littler15 March 1977 (1977-03-15)
Included on the Jack Rosenthal at the BBC DVD set.[21] Based on the book by Vivian Nicholson and Stephen Smith. 1978 BAFTA Best Single Play award winner.
14913"A Photograph"John GlenisterJohn BowenGraeme McDonaldJohn Stride22 March 1977 (1977-03-22)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 1 BFI Blu-ray set.[2]
15014"The Price of Coal: Part 1 - Meet the People"Ken LoachBarry HinesTony GarnettBobby Knutt1 August 1978 (1978-08-01)
Included on the Ken Loach at the BBC DVD boxset.[7]
15115"The Price of Coal: Part 2 - Back to Reality"Ken LoachBarry HinesTony GarnettBobby Knutt8 August 1978 (1978-08-08)
Included on the Ken Loach at the BBC DVD boxset.[7]
15216"Gotcha"Barry DavisBarrie KeeffeMargaret MathesonPhilip Davis Phil Davis12 April 1977 (1977-04-12)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 2 BFI Blu-ray set.[10] Double Bill.
15216"Campion's Interview"Barry DavisBrian ClarkMargaret MathesonJulian Curry12 April 1977 (1977-04-12)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 2 BFI Blu-ray set.[10] Double Bill.
15317"A Choice of Evils"Jane HowellJim AllenMargaret MathesonStephen Murray19 April 1977 (1977-04-19)
15418"The Country Party"Barry DavisBrian ClarkMark ShivasPeter Barkworth26 April 1977 (1977-04-26)
Sequel to "The Saturday Party".

TODO numbering issues until end of season: Series 8 (1977–1978)

edit
No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
1541"Stronger Than the Sun"Michael AptedStephen PoliakoffMargaret MathesonFrancesca Annis18 October 1977 (1977-10-18)
1552"Come the Revolution"Michael DarlowRobin ChapmanRosemary HillVivian Pickles25 October 1977 (1977-10-25)
1563"Abigail's Party"Mike LeighMike LeighMargaret MathesonAlison Steadman1 November 1977 (1977-11-01)
Adapted from the stage play of the same name. DVD release by BBC,[22] also included on the Mike Leigh at the BBC DVD set.[13]
1574"Oy Vay Maria"Richard LoncraineMary O'MalleyMargaret MathesonCheryl Hall8 November 1977 (1977-11-08)
1585"Nipper"Brian FarnhamBarrie KeeffeMargaret MathesonCoral Atkins15 November 1977 (1977-11-15)
1596"One Day at a Time"Ronald WilsonDenis CannanInnes LloydStephanie Cole22 November 1977 (1977-11-22)
1607"The Mayor's Charity"Mike NewellHenry LivingsRichard BrokeThora Hird29 November 1977 (1977-11-29)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 3 BFI Blu-ray set.[8]
1618"Catchpenny Twist"Robert KnightsStewart ParkerTBASam Dale5 December 1977 (1977-12-05)
1629"Charades"Roderick GrahamAntonia FraserPharic MacLarenJennifer Hilary13 December 1977 (1977-12-13)
16310"The Thin End of the Wedge"John BlackSean McCarthyPharic MacLarenTom Marshall20 December 1977 (1977-12-20)
16411"Scully's New Year's Eve"Michael SimpsonAlan BleasdaleDavid RoseAndrew Schofield3 January 1978 (1978-01-03)
16512"Licking Hitler"David HareDavid HareDavid RoseKate Nelligan10 January 1978 (1978-01-10)
1979 BAFTA Best Single Play award winner.
16613"Red Shift"John MackenzieAlan GarnerDavid RoseStephen Petcher17 January 1978 (1978-01-17)
Adapted from the novel of the same name.
16714"The Spongers"Roland JofféJim AllenTony GarnettChristine Hargreaves24 January 1978 (1978-01-24)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 2 BFI Blu-ray set.[10] Prix Italia 1978, Golden Award and Best Script at Prague 1978.
16815"Destiny"Mike NewellDavid EdgarMargaret MathesonColin Jeavons31 January 1978 (1978-01-31)
Adapted from the play.
16916"Our Day Out"Pedr JamesWilly RussellDavid RoseAlun Armstrong7 February 1978 (1978-02-07)
DVD release by Simply Media[23] First shown as a Play Of The Week on BBC2, 28 December 1977.
17017"The After Dinner Joke"Colin BuckseyCaryl ChurchillMargaret MathesonPaula Wilcox14 February 1978 (1978-02-14)
17118"The Legion Hall Bombing"Roland JofféCaryl ChurchillMargaret MathesonDavid Kelly22 August 1978 (1978-08-22)

Series 9 (1978–1979)

edit
No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
1781"Nina"Alan ClarkeJehane MarkhamMargaret MathesonJack Shepherd17 October 1978 (1978-10-17)
Included in the Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC Blu-ray set.[5]
1792"Victims Of Apartheid"Stuart BurgeTom ClarkeRichard EyreJohn Kani24 October 1978 (1978-10-24)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 2 BFI Blu-ray set.[10]
1803"A Touch Of The Tiny Hacketts"James Cellan JonesJohn Esmonde & Bob LarbeyTBARay Brooks31 October 1978 (1978-10-31)
1814"Dinner At The Sporting Club"Brian GibsonLeon GriffithsKenith TroddJohn Thaw7 November 1978 (1978-11-07)
DVD release by Simply Media[24]
1825"Donal And Sally"Brian ParkerJames DuthieAnne HeadGerard Kelly14 November 1978 (1978-11-14)
Best Direction, 1979 Prague International Television Festival. Repeated 8 July 1980.
1836"Sorry..."Claude WhathamVáclav Havel & Vera BlackwellInnes LloydMichael Crawford21 November 1978 (1978-11-21)
Adapted and translated by Vera Blackwell from the Vaněk plays Private View (a.k.a. Unveiling) and Audience. Repeated 6 January 1990.
1847"Butterflies Don't Count"Kenneth IvesWally K. DalyInnes LloydFrank Mills28 November 1978 (1978-11-28)
1858"Soldiers Talking, Cleanly"Alan DossorMike StottRichard EyreBob Mason5 December 1978 (1978-12-05)
1869"One Bummer News Day"Michael DarlowAndy McSmithRichard EyreSimon Rouse12 December 1978 (1978-12-12)
18710"The Out Of Town Boys"Robert KnightsRon HutchinsonDavid RoseJoe Lynch2 January 1979 (1979-01-02)
From BBC Birmingham
18811"Vampires"John GoldschmidtDixie WilliamsTara PremPeter Moran9 January 1979 (1979-01-09)
From BBC Birmingham
18912"The Chief Mourner"David RoseJohn ElliotDavid RoseRichard Pasco16 January 1979 (1979-01-16)
From BBC Birmingham
19013"Waterloo Sunset"Richard EyreBarrie KeeffeTBAQueenie Watts23 January 1979 (1979-01-23)
Repeated 5 August 1980.
19114"Blue Remembered Hills"Brian GibsonDennis PotterKenith TroddColin Welland30 January 1979 (1979-01-30)
Included on the Helen Mirren at the BBC DVD set.[25] BAFTA Best Single Play and Best Director 1979. Repeated on BBC2 30 May 1980 and 6 November 1986, and on BBC4 5 June 2008.
19215"Who's Who"Mike LeighMike LeighMargaret MathesonSimon Chandler5 February 1979 (1979-02-05)
Included on the Mike Leigh at the BBC DVD set.[13] Repeated on BBC2 7 September 1982.
19316"The Last Window Cleaner"Bill CraskeRon HutchinsonKenith TroddPatrick Magee13 February 1979 (1979-02-13)
19417"Ploughman's Share"Fiona CummingDouglas DunnPharic MacLarenDuncan Brewster27 February 1979 (1979-02-27)
From BBC Scotland
19518"Degree Of Uncertainty"Paul AnnettAlma CullenPharic MacLarenJennie Linden6 March 1979 (1979-03-06)
From BBC Scotland
19619"Light"Jane HowellTony PerrinRichard EyreJim Norton13 March 1979 (1979-03-13)
19720"Coming Out"Carol WisemanJames Andrew HallKenith TroddAnton Rodgers10 April 1979 (1979-04-10)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 3 BFI Blu-ray set.[8] Repeated on BBC2 13 June 1980.
19821"Don't Be Silly"Kenneth IvesRachel BillingtonInnes LloydSusan Fleetwood24 July 1979 (1979-07-24)
Repeated 12 August 1980. Repeated on BBC4 10 November 2020.

Series 10 (1979–1980)

edit
No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
1991"Long Distance Information"Stephen FrearsNeville SmithRichard EyreNeville Smith11 October 1979 (1979-10-11)
Repeated on BBC2 4 October 1980.
2002"Cries From A Watchtower"Giles FosterStephen LoweRichard EyrePaix Copley18 October 1979 (1979-10-18)
2013"Comedians"Richard EyreTrevor GriffithsRichard EyreBill Fraser25 October 1979 (1979-10-25)
Adapted from the stage play. Repeated 19 August 1980, and on BBC2 9 May 1993.
2024"Even Solomon"Roger BamfordAndrew TaylorAnne HeadPaul Henley1 November 1979 (1979-11-01)
2035"Just A Boys' Game"John MackenziePeter McDougallRichard EyreFrankie Miller8 November 1979 (1979-11-08)
Included on the Play for Today Volume 2 BFI Blu-ray set.[10] 'The Peter McDougall Collection' DVD set Repeated 26 August 1980. Repeated on BBC4 27 October 2020.
2046"Billy"Charles StewartG. F. NewmanKenith TroddJason Plenderleith13 November 1979 (1979-11-13)
Repeated 10 November 1981.
2057"A Hole In Babylon"Horace OvéJim Hawkins & Horace OvéGraham BensonT-Bone Wilson29 November 1979 (1979-11-29)
Based on events of the 1975 Spaghetti House siege. Included on the Play for Today Volume 3 BFI Blu-ray set.[8] Repeated on BBC2 27 June 1992. Repeated on BBC4 20 October 2020.
2068"The Slab Boys"Bob HirdJohn ByrnePharic MacLarenGerard Kelly6 December 1979 (1979-12-06)
Adapted from the play. DVD release by John Williams Productions[26]
2079"Katie: The Year Of A Child"Barry DavisIan Cullen & John NortonJohn NortonMargaret Kelly13 December 1979 (1979-12-13)
20810"The Network"Derek ListerStephen FaganAnne HeadAnthony Bate20 December 1979 (1979-12-20)
20911"The Black Stuff"Jim GoddardAlan BleasdaleDavid RoseBernard Hill2 January 1980 (1980-01-02)
Included on the Boys from the Black Stuff DVD set.[27] The Black Stuff was commissioned and produced for the Play for Today strand in 1978, but not broadcast until 1980, as a one-off play on BBC2 (not billed as a Play for Today).[28] However BBC sources today generally do refer to it as a Play for Today.[29] Repeated on BBC1 30 July 1981, and on BBC4 19 September 2010 and 17 November 2020.
21012"Chance Of A Lifetime"Giles FosterRobert HolmanRichard EyreDavid Daker3 January 1980 (1980-01-03)
Repeated 3 September 1981.
21113"Keep Smiling"Paul JoycePaul JoyceDavid RoseStephen Moore10 January 1980 (1980-01-10)
From BBC Birmingham
21214"Dreams Of Leaving"David HareDavid HareDavid RoseBill Nighy17 January 1980 (1980-01-17)
From BBC Birmingham
21315"Thicker Than Water"Alan GrintBrian GloverTara PremColin Douglas24 January 1980 (1980-01-24)
From BBC Birmingham
21416"Murder Rap"Peter DuffellMichael HastingsRichard EyreArthur Lovegrove31 January 1980 (1980-01-31)
Repeated 13 August 1981.
21517"Instant Enlightenment Including VAT"John BruceAndrew CarrInnes LloydSimon Callow7 February 1980 (1980-02-07)
Postponed from 22 November 1979.
21618"No Defence"Clive HallsChris KewbankInnes LloydIllona Linthwaite14 February 1980 (1980-02-14)
21719"That Crazy Woman"Bill CraskeDavid HopkinsJohn NortonZena Walker21 February 1980 (1980-02-21)
21820"A Gift From Nessus"James OrmerodWilliam McIlvanney & Bill CraigPharic MacLarenKen Hutchison28 February 1980 (1980-02-28)
Novel by William McIlvanney, dramatised by Bill Craig; from BBC Scotland.
21921"Kate, The Good Neighbour"John BrucePeter RansleyRichard BrokeRachel Kempson6 March 1980 (1980-03-06)
Repeated 27 August 1981.
22022"Buses"Tim KingGeoffrey CaseTerry ColesSebastian Abineri13 March 1980 (1980-03-13)
22123"Shadows on Our Skin"Jim O'BrienJennifer Johnston & Derek MahonKenith TroddMacRea Clarke20 March 1980 (1980-03-20)
Screenplay by Derek Mahon from the novel by Jennifer Johnston. Repeated 20 August 1981.
22224"Ladies"Durmuid LawrenceCarol BunyanKenith TroddPatsy Rowlands27 March 1980 (1980-03-27)
22325"The Vanishing Army"Richard LoncraineRobert HollesInnes LloydBill Paterson3 April 1980 (1980-04-03)
First shown as a Play Of The Week on BBC2 29 November 1978, and repeated on BBC1 28 August 1979.
22426"Not For The Likes Of Us"Tim KingGilly FraserW. Stephen GilbertPam St Clement10 April 1980 (1980-04-10)
From BBC Bristol
22527"The Executioner"Kenneth IvesLionel GoldsteinInnes LloydPaul Rogers17 April 1980 (1980-04-17)
22628"The Imitation Game"Richard EyreIan McEwanRichard EyreHarriet Walter24 April 1980 (1980-04-24)
DVD release by Simply Media[30] Repeated on BBC2 8 September 1981 and 12 May 1993.
22729"A Walk In The Forest"Jack GoldJeremy PaulCarol RobertsonJohn Alderton14 May 1980 (1980-05-14)
Repeated on BBC2 6 July 1980. -
22830"On Giant's Shoulders"Anthony SimmonsMarjorie Wallace, Michael Robson, William Humble & Anthony SimmonsMark ShivasJudi Dench24 June 1980 (1980-06-24)
Based on the book by Marjorie Wallace and Michael Robson, dramatised by William Humble and Anthony Simmons. First shown as a Play Of The Week on BBC2, 28 March 1979. Repeated on BBC2 4 November 1986.
22931"Fearless Frank"Colin BuckseyAndrew DaviesLouis MarksLeonard Rossiter1 July 1980 (1980-07-01)
First shown as a Play Of The Week on BBC2, 4 October 1978.

Series 11 (1980–1981)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
2301"Pasmore"Richard EyreRichard Eyre & David StoreyAnn ScottPhilip Jackson21 October 1980 (1980-10-21)
Screenplay by Richard Eyre from the novel by David Storey. Repeated 10 August 1982.
2312"C2H5OH"James Cellan JonesDavid TurnerInnes LloydDinsdale Landen28 October 1980 (1980-10-28)
Title is the chemical formula for ethanol (alcohol).
2323"The Adventures Of Frank: 1 - Everybody's Fiddling Something"John McGrathJohn McGrath, Mark Brown, Mike O'Neill & Si CoweRichard EyreMick Ford4 November 1980 (1980-11-04)
A musical play in two parts by John McGrath, with music by Mark Brown and additional songs by Mike O'Neill and Si Cowe.
2334"The Adventures Of Frank: 2 - Seeds Of Ice"John McGrathJohn McGrath, Mark Brown, Mike O'Neill & Si CoweRichard EyreMick Ford11 November 1980 (1980-11-11)
A musical play in two parts by John McGrath, with music by Mark Brown and additional songs by Mike O'Neill and Si Cowe.
2345"Minor Complications"Moira ArmstrongPeter RansleyRichard BrokePaola Dionisotti18 November 1980 (1980-11-18)
Repeated 3 August 1982.
2356"Jude"Bill CraskeLesley BruceJune RobertsDorian Ford2 December 1980 (1980-12-02)
2367"The Flipside Of Dominick Hide"Alan GibsonJeremy Paul & Alan GibsonChris CherryPeter Firth9 December 1980 (1980-12-09)
DVD release by BBC[31] Repeated 7 December 1982, and on BBC4 26 February 2006, 20 May 2006 and 26 July 2008.
2378"Name For The Day"Bill BainColin Haydn EvansAnne HeadRichard O'Callaghan16 December 1980 (1980-12-16)
2389"Jessie"Bryan ForbesBryan ForbesNeil ZeigerNanette Newman23 December 1980 (1980-12-23)
Repeated 11 December 1982.
23910"Beyond The Pale"Les BlairLes BlairJohn NortonMichael Maynard6 January 1981 (1981-01-06)
24011"The Muscle Market"Alan DossorAlan BleasdaleMichael WearingPete Postlethwaite13 January 1981 (1981-01-13)
From BBC Birmingham
24112"A Brush With Mr. Porter On The Road To El Dorado"Baz TaylorDon HaworthMichael WearingBenjamin Christopher Benjamin (actor)20 January 1981 (1981-01-20)
From BBC Birmingham
24213"The Cause"Barry DavisDerek ListerTerry ColesJimmy Jewel3 February 1981 (1981-02-03)
24314"Beloved Enemy"Alan ClarkeDavid Leland & Charles LevinsonKeith WilliamsGraham Crowden10 February 1981 (1981-02-10)
Included in the Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC Blu-ray set.[5] Derived from the book Vodka Cola by Charles Levinson.
24415"The Kamikaze Ground Staff Reunion Dinner"Baz TaylorStewart ParkerNeil ZeigerPeter Sallis17 February 1981 (1981-02-17)
24516"The Union"Ronald WilsonTony PerrinInnes LloydIan Hogg24 February 1981 (1981-02-24)
24617"Sorry"Alistair ClarkCarol BunyanJohn NortonNicholas Ball3 March 1981 (1981-03-03)
Repeated 17 August 1982.
24718"Shai Mala Khani
The Garland"
Horace OvéH. O. Nazareth & Horace OvéPeter AnsorgeTariq Yunus10 March 1981 (1981-03-10)
From BBC Birmingham
24819"The Sin Bin"John GorrieTony ParkerJune RobertsKenneth Cranham17 March 1981 (1981-03-17)
24920"Before Water Lilies"Alan CharlesworthRobert MarshallChris CherryColin Bruce24 March 1981 (1981-03-24)
25021"Bavarian Night"Jack GoldAndrew DaviesLouis MarksGawn Grainger31 March 1981 (1981-03-31)
25122"The Good Time Girls"Gareth DaviesAlan ClewsPharic MacLarenAnne Kristen7 April 1981 (1981-04-07)
From BBC Scotland. Repeated 27 July 1982.
25223"Baby Talk"Derek ListerNigel WilliamsAnne HeadSusan Littler21 April 1981 (1981-04-21)
25324"A Turn For The Worse"Bill HaysJohn BillJohn NortonBernard Hill28 April 1981 (1981-04-28)
25425"Psy-Warriors"Alan ClarkeDavid LelandJune RobertsRosalind Ayres12 May 1981 (1981-05-12)
Adapted from the play. Included in the Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC Blu-ray set.[5]

Series 12 (1981–1982)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
2551"Country"Richard EyreTrevor GriffithsAnn ScottLeo McKern20 October 1981 (1981-10-20)
Repeated on BBC2 26 May 1993. Repeated on BBC4 12 October 2020.
2562"London Is Drowning"Martyn FriendGraham WilliamsChris CherryDavid Neal27 October 1981 (1981-10-27)
2573"A Room For The Winter"Jim GoddardRose TremainJune RobertsJack Shepherd3 November 1981 (1981-11-03)
2584"No Visible Scar"Moira ArmstrongRosemary DaviesInnes LloydBarbara Flynn17 November 1981 (1981-11-17)
2595"Iris In The Traffic, Ruby In The Rain"John BruceStewart ParkerJune RobertsFrances Tomelty24 November 1981 (1981-11-24)
Repeated on BBC2 15 February 1989.
2606"Protest"Alistair ClarkVáclav Havel & Vera BlackwellInnes LloydNigel Hawthorne1 December 1981 (1981-12-01)
Translated and adapted by Vera Blackwell from the play.
2617"United Kingdom"Roland JofféJim AllenKenith TroddColin Welland8 December 1981 (1981-12-08)
2628"P.Q. 17"Frank CoxRoger Milner & Captain Jack BroomeInnes LloydRichard Briers15 December 1981 (1981-12-15)
From the book Convoy Is To Scatter by Captain Jack Broome.
2639"The Factory"Gerald Blake Gerald BlakeDavid HopkinsInnes LloydLeonard Rossiter22 December 1981 (1981-12-22)
26410"England's Greens And Peasant Land"Jim HillRita MayJohn NortonRon Delta5 January 1982 (1982-01-05)
26511"A Cotswold Death"Tony BicatTony BicatMichael WearingTony Richardson12 January 1982 (1982-01-12)
26612"Under the Skin"Tony SmithJaney PregerPeter AnsorgeJacqueline Tong19 January 1982 (1982-01-19)
26713"Commitments"Richard Wilson Richard WilsonDusty HughesAnn ScottKevin McNally26 January 1982 (1982-01-26)
Adapted from the play. Exists only as a domestic video recording.
26814"Life After Death"Anthony SimmonsRachel BillingtonInnes LloydDorothy Tutin2 February 1982 (1982-02-02)
26915"The Silly Season"Alex MarshallStephen MulrinePharic MacLarenDerek Anders9 February 1982 (1982-02-09)
From BBC Scotland
27016"Too Late To Talk To Billy"Paul SeedReid|Graham Reid (writer) Reid, GrahamZeiger and Chris Parr|nolink=1 Zeiger, Neil and Chris ParrJames Ellis16 February 1982 (1982-02-16)
First of the Billy trilogy. Repeated 3 May 1983.
27117"Willie's Last Stand"Brian ParkerJim AllenAlan SeymourPaul Freeman23 February 1982 (1982-02-23)
27218"Tishoo"Gerald Blake Gerald BlakeThompson Brian B. ThompsonJohn NortonPaul Daneman9 March 1982 (1982-03-09)
27319"Home, Sweet Home"Mike LeighMike LeighLouis MarksTimothy Spall16 March 1982 (1982-03-16)
Included on the Mike Leigh at the BBC DVD set.[13]
27420"A Sudden Wrench"Jon AmielPaula MilneAlan ShallcrossRosemary Martin23 March 1982 (1982-03-23)
Repeated on BBC2 18 March 1983.
27521"Eve Set The Balls Of Corruption Rolling"David MaloneyMarcella EvaristiBob McIntoshDebbie Wheeler30 March 1982 (1982-03-30)
From BBC Scotland. Pye Award for Best Writer New to Television, 1982
27622"Whistling Wally"Gerald Blake Gerald BlakeWally K. DalyInnes LloydKenneth Farrington6 April 1982 (1982-04-06)

Series 13 (1982–1983)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
2771"Soft Targets"Charles SturridgeStephen PoliakoffKenith TroddHelen Mirren19 October 1982 (1982-10-19)
Included on the Helen Mirren at the BBC DVD set.[25] Repeated on BBC4 25 January 2003.
2782"3 Minute Heroes"Michael CustanceLeslie StewartColin RogersPhilip Freeman26 October 1982 (1982-10-26)
From BBC Birmingham
2793"The Remainder Man"Richard WilsonPhilip MartinAnn ScottSheila Hancock2 November 1982 (1982-11-02)
2804"Intensive Care"Gavin MillarAlan BennettInnes LloydAlan Bennett9 November 1982 (1982-11-09)
Repeated on BBC2 9 August 1992.
2815"A Mother Like Him"Baz TaylorFrances GalleymoreAlan ShallcrossPerry Fenwick16 November 1982 (1982-11-16)
2826"John David"Rodney BennettPaula MilneBrenda ReidGwen Watford23 November 1982 (1982-11-23)
2837"Aliens"David MaloneyAlan ClewsBob McIntoshAnthony Higgins30 November 1982 (1982-11-30)
From BBC Scotland
2848"Another Flip For Dominick"Alan GibsonJeremy Paul & Alan GibsonChris CherryPeter Firth14 December 1982 (1982-12-14)
BBC DVD release[31] Repeated on BBC4 27 May 2006 and 2 August 2008.
2859"Last Love"Nicholas RentonReg GadneyAlan ShallcrossElizabeth Sellars1 March 1983 (1983-03-01)
28610"Gates Of Gold"Jon AmielMaurice LeitchChris ParrPeter Bayliss8 March 1983 (1983-03-08)
28711"Wayne And Albert"Sarah Pia AndersonDavid HopkinsAlan ShallcrossArthur English15 March 1983 (1983-03-15)
28812"Atlantis"Les ChatfieldPeter TersonColin RogersFrank Middlemass29 March 1983 (1983-03-29)
From BBC Birmingham
28913"The Last Term"Philip Bonham-CarterRaymond HitchcockRosemary HillChristopher Villiers5 April 1983 (1983-04-05)
29014"Reluctant Chickens"Gareth DaviesDavid CreganRoger GregoryPatrick Troughton12 April 1983 (1983-04-12)
From BBC Birmingham
29115"Shall I Be Mother?"Ronald WilsonPeter RansleyAnne HeadEva Griffith19 April 1983 (1983-04-19)
29216"The Falklands Factor"Colin BuckseyDon ShawLouis MarksDonald Pleasence26 April 1983 (1983-04-26)
29317"A Matter Of Choice For Billy"Paul SeedGraham ReidNeil ZeigerKenneth Branagh10 May 1983 (1983-05-10)
Second of the Billy trilogy.

Series 14 (1984)

edit
No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
2941"Young Shoulders"Silvio NarizzanoJohn Wain & Robert SmithBernard KrichefskiDavid Horovitch14 February 1984 (1984-02-14)
Screenplay by Robert Smith and John Wain of the novel.
2952"A Coming To Terms For Billy"Paul SeedGraham ReidChris ParrKenneth Branagh21 February 1984 (1984-02-21)
Third of the Billy trilogy. From BBC Northern Ireland.
2963"Z For Zachariah"Anthony GarnerAnthony GarnerNeil ZeigerAnthony Andrews28 February 1984 (1984-02-28)
Adapted from the novel. Duration 120 minutes.
2974"Moving On The Edge"Anthony GarnerRose TremainRosemary HillEleanor Bron6 March 1984 (1984-03-06)
2985"Desert Of Lies"Piers HaggardHoward BrentonMichael WearingCherie Lunghi13 March 1984 (1984-03-13)
2996"Hard Feelings"Michael BradwellDoug LucieMichael WearingFrances Barber20 March 1984 (1984-03-20)
Adapted from the play.
3007"Under The Hammer"Richard Wilson Richard WilsonStephen FaganMichael WearingPeter Vaughan27 March 1984 (1984-03-27)
3018"King"Tony SmithBarrie KeeffeMichael WearingThomas Baptiste3 April 1984 (1984-04-03)
3029"Rainy Day Women"Ben BoltDavid PirieMichael WearingCharles Dance10 April 1984 (1984-04-10)
Repeated on BBC2 8 September 1990.
30310"Dog Ends"Carol WisemanRichard HarrisAndrée MolyneuxLeonard Rossiter17 July 1984 (1984-07-17)
20411"The Groundling And The Kite"Peter JefferiesLeonard PrestonColin RogersJohn Duttine24 July 1984 (1984-07-24)
From BBC Birmingham
30512"The Cry"Menaul Christopher MenaulDerek Mahon & Chris Menaul from a story by John MontagueChris ParrAdrian Dunbar31 July 1984 (1984-07-31)
Adapted from a story by John Montague.
30613"It Could Happen To Anybody"Laurence MoodyHugh McManusBob McIntoshAnn Scott-Jones14 August 1984 (1984-08-14)
From BBC Scotland
30714"Only Children"Michael RolfeJudy ForrestAlan ShallcrossCharlotte Cornwell21 August 1984 (1984-08-21)
30815"The Amazing Miss Stella Estelle"John DavisLeslie StewartRob WalkerElaine Lordan28 August 1984 (1984-08-28)

Postponed broadcasts

edit
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byProduced byLead actorOriginal air date
TBATBA"Brimstone & Treacle"Barry DavisDennis PotterKenith TroddDenholm Elliott25 August 1987 (1987-08-25)
BBC DVD release[32] Postponed from 6 April 1976. Repeated on BBC2 5 September 1998 and on BBC4 2 January 2005.
TBATBA"Scum"Alan ClarkeRoy MintonMargaret MathesonRay Winstone27 July 1991 (1991-07-27)
Included in the Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC Blu-ray set.[5] Postponed from 8 November 1977.
TBATBA"Pillion"Keith EvansPaul CopleyRichard EyreTBAUnbroadcast
Recorded in 1979 but never transmitted.

References

edit
  1. ^ "BBC Genome". genome.ch.bbc.co.uk.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Play For Today: Volume 1 (4-Disc Blu-ray Box Set)". shop.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  3. ^ "Play for Today: Robin Redbreast". 25 February 1971. p. 41 – via BBC Genome.
  4. ^ "Robin Redbreast". bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Alan Clarke at the BBC (1969 - 1989) (Blu-ray Box Set)". shop.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Play for Today: Seven Selected Plays repeat season, 11 March - 22 April 1971.
  7. ^ a b c "Ken Loach at the BBC [DVD] [1965]". amazon.com. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Play for Today Volume 3 (Blu-ray Box Set)". shop.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  9. ^ 'Home - the television adaption of David Storey's acclaimed play' DVD, Metrodome, 2004
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Play For Today: Volume 2 (3-Disc Blu-ray Box Set)". shop.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  11. ^ "The Fishing Party - A Play for Today". simplymedia.tv.[dead link]
  12. ^ 'Just Your Luck' DVD, BBC, 2008
  13. ^ a b c d e f 'Mike Leigh at the BBC' 6-disc DVD set, BBC / 2|Entertain, 2009
  14. ^ "Penda's Fen (Blu-ray)". shop.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  15. ^ "The Cheviot the Stag and the Black Black Oil Blu-ray". panamint.co.uk/. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  16. ^ 'Gangsters - the complete series' 4 DVD set, BBC / 2|Entertain CCTV30272, 2006
  17. ^ 'Alan Bennett at the BBC', 4-disc DVD boxset, BBC / 2|Entertain BBCDVD3041, 2009
  18. ^ 'The Peter McDougall Collection' 5-disc DVD set, BBC, 2007
  19. ^ 'The Classic Drama: Rumpole of the Bailey - Rumpole and the Confession of Guilt' DVD, Acorn Media, 2007
  20. ^ Shubik 2000, p. 177
  21. ^ a b 'Jack Rosenthal at the BBC' 5-disc DVD set, Acorn Media AV9975, 2011
  22. ^ 'Abigail's Party' DVD, BBC BBCDVD1181, 2003
  23. ^ 'Our Day Out - A Play of the Week' DVD, Simply Media 188000, 2018 https://simplymedia.tv/product/188000/
  24. ^ 'Dinner at the Sporting Club' DVD, Simply Media 106813, 2003 https://simplymedia.tv/product/106813/
  25. ^ a b 'Helen Mirren at the BBC' 6-disc DVD set, BBC / 2|Entertain, 2008
  26. ^ 'The Slab Boys' DVD, John Williams Productions Ltd JW472. 2008
  27. ^ 'Boys from the Black Stuff' 3-disc DVD set, BBC BBCDVD1178, 2003
  28. ^ Cite error: The named reference BBCG TBS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  29. ^ "BBC One - Play for Today, Series 10 - The Black Stuff". Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  30. ^ 'The Imitation Game - A Play for Today' DVD, Simply Media 188001, 2018 https://simplymedia.tv/product/188001/
  31. ^ a b 'The Flipside of Dominick Hide & Another Flip for Dominick' DVD, BBC / 2|Entertain, 2005
  32. ^ 'Brimstone and Treacle' DVD, BBC / 2|Entertain, 2004