Series synopsis
2Point4 Children is a British comedy television series that premiered on BBC One on September 3, 1991. It ended on December 30, 1999. It was created by Andrew Marshall. It stars Gary Olsen, Belinda Lang, Clare Buckfield and Julia Hills.
They're just your average family. Stressed mum Bill, daft dad Ben, and two troublesome teens. Plus just a few crazy ideas, escapades and mishaps. The classic 90s sitcom.
Premise
They're just your average family. Stressed mum Bill, daft dad Ben, and two troublesome teens. Plus just a few crazy ideas, escapades and mishaps. The classic 90s sitcom.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Gary Olsen as Ben Porter
- Belinda Lang as Bill Porter
- Clare Buckfield as Jenny Porter
- Julia Hills as Rona Harris
- Georgina Cates as Jenny Porter (as Clare Woodgate)
- John Pickard as David Porter
- Kim Benson as Christine
- Patricia Brake as Tina
Supporting cast
- Liz Smith as Bette
- Leonard O'Malley as Gerry
- Daniel John as Shane
- Nigel Gregory as Brian
- David Kelly as Paddy
- Deborah Norton as Martha Christie
- Nina Wadia as Sharma
- Julie Peasgood as Pauline
- Natasha Knight as Sandra
- Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Maureen
- Stephen Lewis as Driving Instructor
- Francis Maston as Rory Castell
Guest cast
- Liz Smith as Bette
- Leonard O'Malley as Gerry
- Daniel John as Shane
- Nigel Gregory as Brian
- David Kelly as Paddy
- Deborah Norton as Martha Christie
- Nina Wadia as Sharma
- Julie Peasgood as Pauline
- Natasha Knight as Sandra
- Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Maureen
- Stephen Lewis as Driving Instructor
- Francis Maston as Rory Castell
Episodes
This series spans 9 seasons with 57 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 1 | ||
| Season 1 | 6 | September 3, 1991 | October 8, 1991 |
| Season 2 | 8 | September 8, 1992 | December 22, 1992 |
| Season 3 | 7 | September 7, 1993 | December 20, 1993 |
| Season 4 | 7 | September 5, 1994 | December 26, 1994 |
| Season 5 | 7 | October 2, 1995 | December 24, 1995 |
| Season 6 | 8 | November 14, 1996 | December 26, 1996 |
| Season 7 | 7 | February 26, 1998 | April 9, 1998 |
| Season 8 | 6 | November 16, 1999 | December 30, 1999 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Tribute to Gary Olsen |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Leader of the Pack An encounter with another man sets Bill thinking about her life. |
September 3, 1991 |
| 2 |
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning Bill has been offered a lift by a mysterious figure on a motorbike. Ben has had an exhausting day. |
September 10, 1991 |
| 3 |
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Go Shopping The Porters have a family barbecue, which makes Jenny decide that she wants to be a vegetarian. |
September 17, 1991 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
I'm Going Slightly Mad Bill is still unemployed after losing her job at the bakery. Meanwhile, Ben recruits a new assistant to help with his central heating repair business. |
September 8, 1992 |
| 2 |
Bedtime for Bonzo Bill has a new job and two new responsibilities - a dog with wind and an ailing Ben. |
September 15, 1992 |
| 3 |
Hormones Bill faces two new problems: Ben's aggression and the unexpected pregnancy in the Porter household. |
September 22, 1992 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Secret Diary of David Porter It is impossible to keep secrets in a family, as David's diary reveals. |
September 7, 1993 |
| 2 |
When the Children Are Asleep When Bill thinks the house next door is being robbed, she sets in motion a chain of events filled with terror, burglary - and radio phone-ins. |
September 14, 1993 |
| 3 |
Badger's Bend Bill discovers that Ben has a serious addiction problem. Rona pays a visit to her old school reunion in an attempt to drum up interest in the catering business. |
September 21, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Parent Trap Bill and Ben demonstrate how not to embarrass your daughter in front of your potential in-laws. |
September 5, 1994 |
| 2 |
Family Plot Bill resorts to drastic measures to bring about an evening of culture and sparkling conversation. |
September 12, 1994 |
| 3 |
Fortuosity A strange ethereal force causes the arrival of a sinister letter at the Porter household. |
September 19, 1994 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Greed The Porters argue about how to spend the lottery jackpot. |
October 2, 1995 |
| 2 |
We'd Like to Know a Little Bit More About You for Our Files Bill and Ben are concerned about David's private life. |
October 9, 1995 |
| 3 |
The Deep Disaster strikes when Bill and Ben look after the Grimes' house. |
October 16, 1995 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dog Day Afternoon Ben is bored and missing the football season, while Bill and Rona are also feeling listless. Meanwhile, Jenny's boyfriend sets off to buy a ring. |
November 14, 1996 |
| 2 |
The Lady Vanishes Bill is looking forward to a quiet, relaxing time at home, but fate intervenes. |
November 21, 1996 |
| 3 |
Vertigo Bill tells Rona not to heed the dire predictions of Psychic Sadie's latest horoscope. But following a worrying phone call from her eccentric Aunt Belle, she is not so certain. |
November 28, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Perfect Day Tension mounts as Jenny awaits her A-level results. Meanwhile Bill discovers that Ben has swapped the family car for a more sensible one - or so he claims. |
February 26, 1998 |
| 2 |
When Saturday Comes Ben's football team need to win the next three Saturday matches and he feels there's only one way to ensure they do - to Bill and Rona's horror. |
March 5, 1998 |
| 3 |
Malcolm X An ex-boyfriend who has made it big in Hollywood pays Bill an unexpected visit, bringing a serious threat to the future of the entire family. |
March 12, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Fame The Porters worry that their tendency towards bizarre situations will jeopardise their aim to foster a child. |
November 16, 1999 |
| 2 |
Enter the Dragon The arrival of Bill's mother in the household proves detrimental to Declan's discipline. |
November 23, 1999 |
| 3 |
Sticky Fingers Ben is annoyed when Jenny brings her new boyfriend to stay. Bill and Declan have sticky problems. |
November 30, 1999 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 3, 1991 |
| Last aired | December 30, 1999 |
| Runtime | 40 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Tuesday at 20:00:00 |