Series synopsis
Hornblower is a British drama war & politics action & adventure television series that premiered on ITV1 on October 7, 1998. It ended on January 6, 2003. It was created by C. S. Forester. It stars Ioan Gruffudd, Paul McGann, Jamie Bamber and Robert Lindsay.
Set during the 18th century Napoleonic Wars, Horatio Hornblower, a young and shy midshipman, rises through the ranks to become an admiral.
Premise
Set during the 18th century Napoleonic Wars, Horatio Hornblower, a young and shy midshipman, rises through the ranks to become an admiral.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Ioan Gruffudd as Horatio Hornblower
- Paul McGann as William Bush
- Jamie Bamber as Archie Kennedy
- Robert Lindsay as Sir Edward Pellew
- Paul Copley as Matthews
- Sean Gilder as Styles
- Julia Sawalha as Maria Mason
- Samuel West as Major Edrington
Supporting cast
- Colin MacLachlan as Master Bowles
- Simon Sherlock as Oldroyd
- Michael Byrne as Captain Keene
- Rupert Holliday-Evans as Steward
- Richard Lumsden as Midshipman Hether
- Andrew Tiernan as Bunting
- Denis Lawson as Captain Foster
- Robert Bathurst as Lieutenant Ecclestone
- Ian McNeice as Mr Tapling
- Duncan Bell as Midshipman Clayton
- Dorian Healy as Midshipman Jack Simpson
- Vincent Grass as Captain Forget
Guest cast
- Michael Byrne as Captain Keene
- Rupert Holliday-Evans as Steward
- Richard Lumsden as Midshipman Hether
- Andrew Tiernan as Bunting
- Denis Lawson as Captain Foster
- Robert Bathurst as Lieutenant Ecclestone
- Ian McNeice as Mr Tapling
- Duncan Bell as Midshipman Clayton
- Dorian Healy as Midshipman Jack Simpson
- Vincent Grass as Captain Forget
- Roger May as Lieutenant Chadd
- Frank Boyce as Midshipman Cleveland
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 8 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | October 7, 1998 | April 2, 1999 |
| Season 2 | 2 | March 24, 2002 | March 25, 2002 |
| Season 3 | 2 | January 5, 2003 | January 6, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Even Chance In 1793, 17-year-old Horatio Hornblower begins his career in His Majesty's Navy, and must prove himself in battle when war is declared. |
October 7, 1998 |
| 2 |
The Examination for Lieutenant Promoted to Acting Lieutenant, Hornblower is forced to question his readiness for command. |
November 18, 1998 |
| 3 |
The Duchess and the Devil Hornblower leads a daring raid on a French sloop, and is rewarded by being allowed to set sail for England. |
February 24, 1999 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mutiny Sir Edward Pellew visits Horatio Hornblower who is jail in Jamaica awaiting his trial on a charge of making a mutiny. His problems began six months earlier when he was appointed Third Lieutenant aboard the HMS Renown under the famous Captain James Sawyer. It soon becomes apparent to several of the officers, including Horatio's friend Archie Kennedy who is aboard ship as Fourth Lieutenant that the Captain is suffering from madness of some sort. He is cruel and sees conspiracies everywhere. Both Horatio and Midshipman Welland prove to be the particular objects of his wrath. The situation is not helped by an inexperience First Lieutenant who does not command the Captain's respect and a newly arrived Second Lieutenant who doesn't seem ready to challenge the Captain in any way. |
March 24, 2002 |
| 2 |
Retribution Before taking the Renown back to Jamaica for their court martial on charges of mutiny, Hornblower, Kennedy, and Bush convince an insecure and indecisive Lt. Buckland, now acting captain, that it would be appropriate to launch a surprise attack on the Spanish fortress at Santo Domingo. Matters are complicated when the inept Buckland incurs the enmity of the local rebels, who now regard them as enemies too. Captain Sawyer's increasing paranoia, deserting seamen, Buckland's growing jealousy of Hornblower, and the duplicity of the Spaniards all complicate the already perilous situation. |
March 25, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Loyalty Finally promoted to Captain and given command of HMS Hotspur, Hornblower is sent to France to determine the status of Napoleon's pledge of peace, but instead he discovers Napoleon's troops waiting to invade. He also begins a romantic relationship with the young Maria Mason. |
January 5, 2003 |
| 2 |
Duty Soon after getting married, Hornblower is sent on a search and rescue mission for a British ship (under the command of an old friend) last reported off the French coast. In the midst of the search, the HMS Hotspur picks up some unwanted passengers and attempts to discover the objective of a small French invasion force. |
January 6, 2003 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ITV1 |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 7, 1998 |
| Last aired | January 6, 2003 |
| Runtime | 120 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday, Sunday at 20:00:00 |