Series synopsis
The Borrowers is a British sci-fi & fantasy drama action & adventure television series that premiered on BBC Two on November 8, 1992. It ended on December 19, 1993. It stars Rebecca Callard, Penelope Wilton, Ian Holm and David Ryall.
The Borrowers are small, 15cm high humans who live in the English hinterland. They live out their lives in mouse-hole sized nooks in human homes, and survive by 'borrowing' all they need from the house and its inhabitants. This series follows young girl Arriety, and her parents Pod and Homily, as they are displaced from their home and try to find a new home, with the help of a human boy, George.
Premise
The Borrowers are small, 15cm high humans who live in the English hinterland. They live out their lives in mouse-hole sized nooks in human homes, and survive by 'borrowing' all they need from the house and its inhabitants. This series follows young girl Arriety, and her parents Pod and Homily, as they are displaced from their home and try to find a new home, with the help of a human boy, George.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Rebecca Callard as Arrietty
- Penelope Wilton as Homily
- Ian Holm as Pod
- David Ryall as Crampfurl
- Paul Cross as George
- Siân Phillips as Mrs. Driver
Guest cast
- Daniel Newman as Spiller
- Pamela Cundell as Aunt Lupy
- Tony Haygarth as Mildeye
- Stanley Lebor as Uncle Hendreary
- Victoria Donovan as Eggletina
- Ben Chaplin as Ditchley
- Ross McCall as Ilrick
- Barbara Hicks as Mrs. Durbridge
- Bay White as Miss Moorcraft
- Gemma Jones as Miss Menzies
- John Tordoff as Policeman
- Richard Vernon as Mr. Pott
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 12 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | November 8, 1992 | December 13, 1992 |
| Season 2 | 6 | November 14, 1993 | December 19, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 The first episode sets the scene and introduces us to the main characters and starts to show us what it is like to be only 15cm high. We find out that they are the only borrowers in the house and also meet the humans that co-inhabit the house. The first of a series of problems start with Pod 'being seen'. Arrietty, who has never been allowed out of their below the floorboards home, is introduced to the art of borrowing. |
November 8, 1992 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 While on a trip out Arrietty is seen. Thankfully this is by a young boy that is living in the house and he does not have the usual adult reaction to the borrowers. Unfortunately, his naivety later leads to problems but initially Arrietty asks him to deliver a letter to a place she hopes might hold another family of borrowers. |
November 15, 1992 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Things look too good to be true with their new human friend bringing them more presents than they know what to do with. Unfortunately, it is too good and the family of borrowers is discovered and the rat catcher is called in. |
November 22, 1992 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 The Clock family - Pod, Homily and Arrietty - make a new home for themselves with their relatives Uncle Hendreary, Aunt Lupy and Eggletina. |
November 14, 1993 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Pod tells the Hendrearys that he and his family are leaving. Eggletina shows them a way out through the scullery drain, but as they make their way, a roaring wall of water rushes towards them. |
November 21, 1993 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The Borrowers make camp in Spiller's kettle. |
November 28, 1993 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 8, 1992 |
| Last aired | December 19, 1993 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday |