Series synopsis
Howards' Way is a British drama soap television series that premiered on BBC One on September 1, 1985. It ended on November 29, 1990. It was created by Allan Prior, Gerard Glaister. It stars Maurice Colbourne, Kate O'Mara, Jan Harvey and Glyn Owen.
The BBC's answer to Dynasty, Howards' Way was launched in 1985 with an enormous 1 million pound budget. The main characters in the show were 'best boat designer in the world' Tom Howard, his boutique running wife Jan Howard, 'I'll have a drink' Jack Rolfe and a nasty man called Ken Masters. It starred Maurice Colbourne.
Premise
The BBC's answer to Dynasty, Howards' Way was launched in 1985 with an enormous 1 million pound budget. The main characters in the show were 'best boat designer in the world' Tom Howard, his boutique running wife Jan Howard, 'I'll have a drink' Jack Rolfe and a nasty man called Ken Masters. It starred Maurice Colbourne.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Maurice Colbourne as Tom Howard
- Kate O'Mara as Laura Wilde
- Jan Harvey as Jan Howard
- Glyn Owen as Jack Rolfe
- Stephen Yardley as Ken Masters
- Lana Morris as Vanessa Andenberg
- Nigel Davenport as Sir Edward Frere
- Susan Gilmore as Avril Rolfe
Supporting cast
- Edward Highmore as Leo Howard
- Robert Vahey as Bill Sayers
- Patricia Shakesby as Polly Urquhart
- Dulcie Gray as Kate Harvey
- Ivor Danvers as Gerald Urquhart
- Cindy Shelley as Abby Hudson
- Tony Anholt as Charles Frere
- Sarah-Jane Varley as Sarah Foster
- Sian Webber as Emma Neesome
- Tracey Childs as Lynne Howard
- Paul Maxwell as Scott Benson
- Angus MacKay as Clinic Doctor
Guest cast
- Tracey Childs as Lynne Howard
- Paul Maxwell as Scott Benson
- Angus MacKay as Clinic Doctor
- Philip Anthony as Solicitor
- Sally Farmiloe as Dawn
- Alan Downer as Laurie Meadows
- Robert Ashby as Geoff
- Sam Davies as Brian
- Edmund Pegge as Basil
- David Rose as Mr. Askew
- John Challis as Morris
- Kulvinder Ghir as Davy Malik
Episodes
This series spans 7 seasons with 79 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 1 | ||
| Season 1 | 13 | September 5, 1985 | November 28, 1985 |
| Season 2 | 13 | September 4, 1986 | November 27, 1986 |
| Season 3 | 13 | September 3, 1987 | November 26, 1987 |
| Season 4 | 13 | September 1, 1988 | November 24, 1988 |
| Season 5 | 13 | September 7, 1989 | November 30, 1989 |
| Season 6 | 13 | September 6, 1990 | November 29, 1990 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Cult of... Howard's Way If any drama serial embodied the ethos of the 80s, it was Howards' Way. Watched by 14 million viewers, it ran for six years. In this nostalgia-fest, stars Jan Harvey and Stephen Yardley discuss its success - and why, sensibly, it was decided not to call it The Boat Builders. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Tom Howard, along with son Leo and daughter Lyn, celebrate their success in the prestigious Commadore Cup but when Tom reveals he has been made redundant from Southern Aviation, none of his family is too happy. Jack Rolf is concerned that his business, The Mermaid Boat Yard, is about to go bankrupt. Tom discusses his problems with Avril Rolf and considers investing his redundancy in the Boat Yard. |
September 5, 1985 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Ken Masters is interested in taking over the Mermaid Yard. He employs Leo Howard at the local pertol station and is eager to employ Jan. Meanwhile, Jan and Tom argue incessantly about how he should spend his redundancy money. Polly Urquhart's daughter Abby returns from finishing school but she has not turned out how the Urquhart's expected. Avril tries to prevent Tom from making a foolish investment. In order to raise more capital, Tom asks Avril to find a buyer for the Flying Fish. |
September 12, 1985 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Tom confesses to his family that he has invested in the Mermaid Boat Yard and his family is livid about the sale of the Flying Fish. Abby finds settling into the Tarrant social scene rather a challenge. Tom begins work at the Boat Yard where Avril remains coy about the buyer of his boat. Jan’s mother, Kate, encourages her to accept Ken’s offer of work. A distressed Abby takes some drastic action. |
September 19, 1985 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 14 Whilst the mermaid celebrated another successful launch, its future hangs in the balance at a London court. The mysterious disappearance of lovelorn Lynne causes panic. |
September 4, 1986 |
| 2 |
Episode 15 Brittle Polly Urquhart is delighted by the arrival of American stud Orin. Lynne's amnesia leaves her living in a world of strangers and news from France threatens Tarrant's bourgeoning fashion scene. |
September 11, 1986 |
| 3 |
Episode 16 Environmentalist Leo comes to blows with creepy Ken Masters over the development of a local beauty spot. Patriarch Tom resorts to desperate measures to hep Lynne. |
September 18, 1986 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 27 The Mermaid is struggling to escape the negative publicity generated by the catamaran accident and desperately needs new contacts. Meanwhile Jan's ultra chic designs are in such great demand she decides to employ an extra pair of stylish hands. |
September 3, 1987 |
| 2 |
Episode 28 The future of the Mermaid hangs in the balance with the coroner's verdict yet to be decided and to add insult to injury Charles plans to withdraw the Barracuda from the market. Tom and Avril's relationship comes to an end. |
September 10, 1987 |
| 3 |
Episode 29 Polly and Gerald's relationship is suffering as her spending gets out of control. Is Charles trying to sabotage the Mermaid? With financial ruin on the horizon, Jack earns a much-needed commission and Leo's boat refurbishment business is a success. |
September 17, 1987 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 40 As air-sea rescue searches for Charles and Avril, Sir Edward waits on Jan's answer to his proposal and Ken Masters looks to cash in on the plummeting Frere Holdings share price. |
September 1, 1988 |
| 2 |
Episode 41 Jan comes under pressure after a break-in at her design house, Sir Edward involves Tom in plans for the America's Cup and Polly sets her sights on becoming a top business woman. |
September 8, 1988 |
| 3 |
Episode 42 Avril has discharged herself from the clinic, Jan offers Tom her shares in the Mermaid, Leo races for Relton and Abby does a photoshoot. |
September 15, 1988 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 53 As Charles and Gerald face investigation by the Fraud Squad and Leo begins to recover from his crash, Laura Wilde arrives to take over Wilde Mouldings... |
September 7, 1989 |
| 2 |
Episode 54 Ken finds trouble in his personal and business life. Jan meets James Brooke, her potential competitor and Charles' plans for Relton become all too clear. |
September 14, 1989 |
| 3 |
Episode 55 Charles attempts to discover who implicated him in the fraud enquiry, Laura and Tom discuss joining forces with Ken and Abby travels with Leo to the Isle of Wight. |
September 21, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode 66 | September 6, 1990 |
| 2 | Episode 67 | September 13, 1990 |
| 3 | Episode 68 | September 20, 1990 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 1, 1985 |
| Last aired | November 29, 1990 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Thursday |