Series synopsis
The Afternoon Play is a British drama comedy mystery television series that premiered on BBC One on January 27, 2003. It ended on January 26, 2007. It was created by Will Trotter.
The Afternoon Play is a British television anthology series of standalone contemporary dramas aired during the afternoons of 2003–07 on BBC One, featuring well-known actors in one-off stories. A daytime drama strand showcasing a variety of genres, from comedy to mystery, it was part of a long tradition of afternoon plays on BBC Radio 4, which would go on to influence the television version.
Premise
The Afternoon Play is a British television anthology series of standalone contemporary dramas aired during the afternoons of 2003–07 on BBC One, featuring well-known actors in one-off stories. A daytime drama strand showcasing a variety of genres, from comedy to mystery, it was part of a long tradition of afternoon plays on BBC Radio 4, which would go on to influence the television version.
Cast and characters
Guest cast
- Lucy Davis as Laura
- Ralph Ineson as Rob Coles
- Denise Welch as Carole Haye
- Tim Dantay as Trevor Haye
- Glynis Barber as Brenda
- Rae Baker as Inez
- Charlie Hayes as Suzy Haye
- Neil Newbon as Malcolm Haye
- Anatol Yusef as Ahmed
- Jeremy Sheffield as Tom Rourke
- June Whitfield as Iris Rourke
- Mandana Jones as Sarah
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 28 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 3 | April 19, 2005 | March 7, 2017 |
| Season 1 | 5 | January 27, 2003 | January 31, 2003 |
| Season 2 | 5 | January 26, 2004 | February 2, 2004 |
| Season 3 | 5 | January 24, 2005 | January 28, 2005 |
| Season 4 | 5 | January 16, 2006 | January 20, 2006 |
| Season 5 | 5 | January 22, 2007 | January 26, 2007 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Trial of Walter Raleigh | April 19, 2005 |
| 2 | Small Acts of Kindness | March 15, 2011 |
| 3 | Between The Lines | March 7, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Turkish Delight A bored housewife finds glamour and excitement when she starts a job belly-dancing in a Turkish restaurant. |
January 27, 2003 |
| 2 |
Coming Up for Air An overworked, unhappy widower who suffers from stress ends up with shock-related amnesia when he takes a holiday in Spain. With the help of a woman he meets out there, he then has to rediscover his old identity, meeting family and colleagues as if for the first time. |
January 28, 2003 |
| 3 |
The Real Arnie Griffin An undercover store detective, who prides himself on his disguises but longs to solve real crimes, seizes a chance to impress both his estranged wife and investigate a hit-and-run. |
January 29, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Venus and Mars Best friends Oliver and Grace begin to ponder why they have never taken their relationship further. After a passionate weekend in the country, they attempt to go back to their normal lives, but Oliver's new fiancé has her own agenda – and it's not long before both Oliver and Grace are forced to make life-changing decisions. |
January 26, 2004 |
| 2 |
Sons, Daughters and Lovers Divorcee Hardy Rose finds new love with high-flyer Kate, whilst his son, Ben, falls head over heels for an older woman, Anna. But when Anna is revealed as Kate's mother, father and son realise that they have fallen for the wrong partner. |
January 27, 2004 |
| 3 |
Drive Julie, a 29-year-old temp with a steady boyfriend, finds her life is going nowhere, but when she gets a contract at Sunshine Cars, she gets a new lease of life. Suddenly, Julie is forced to compete with the men, making changes to impress her boss. But will she have to compromise to reach the top? |
January 29, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Hitch Two couples learn that their ten-year marriages were not legal as the priest was a fake reflect on their lives while preparing for a new ceremony. |
January 24, 2005 |
| 2 |
The Trouble with George Rose Lapwood finds that marriage to her sweet-but-dull husband George is becoming intolerable, but as her friendship blooms with neighbour Donna, they soon find themselves planning ways to do away with him, collect the life insurance, and live together unhindered. |
January 25, 2005 |
| 3 |
The Good Citizen A man enters a rural police station and announces he is seceding from Britain and starting his own republic. As he is hounded by the press, threatened by the government and exposed by his fame-seeking ex-wife, he struggles to retain the rural simplicity he thought would solve all his problems, while his growing relationship with a tabloid journalist only complicates his life further. |
January 26, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Tea with Betty Single mum Wendy, bringing up an autistic son and dealing with a challenging ex-husband, faces a constant struggle as she tries to encourage the residents of the housing estate where she lives to maintain some respect for their surroundings. On the 10th anniversary of the riots that nearly destroyed their home, the Queen visits the estate and meet Wendy in her own home, throwing the other residents into a rare show of community spirit. |
January 16, 2006 |
| 2 |
The Last Will and Testament of Billy Two-Sheds Sam, an overworked young student, inherits her grandfather's allotment and finds herself taking on his ghost into the bargain. She finds herself strangely drawn to this peaceful new world, until the allotments come under threat. Sam and the allotment committee fight to save their world as they know it. |
January 17, 2006 |
| 3 |
Your Mother Should Know A battle of wills between Edith, a steely little old lady, and her new daughter-in-law, Jessica, ensues when hapless hunk Gary arrives on the scene. As Jessica's perfect relationship disintegrates at the hands of a seemingly helpless old woman, the courts intervene, and events take a turn for the worse. |
January 18, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Johnny Shakespeare Johnny, a confident and charismatic but illiterate young man, finds that after life on his estate, the only way is down. But when he meets a drama teacher, he finds the world opening up in a way he'd never dreamt of. |
January 22, 2007 |
| 2 |
Death Becomes Him Hospital patient Frank lies silently in a coma as his family gather around him, preparing for the inevitable, until a maverick doctor decides that Frank will be his latest experiment – and that he is not going to give up without a fight. |
January 23, 2007 |
| 3 |
Come Fly with Me After being dumped at the altar by text, bride Kate advertises for a man to go with her on her fully booked, all expenses paid dream honeymoon. But will anyone have the confidence to accept her offer? Or will candidates be champing at the bit? |
January 24, 2007 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 27, 2003 |
| Last aired | January 26, 2007 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Ended |