Studio 4 (1962)
A landmark BBC One anthology drama series from 1962, created by James MacTaggart and filmed at BBC Television Centre's Studio Four.
Studio 4 - Series Information
- Original Title: Studio 4
- First Air Year: 1962
- Last Air Year: 1962
- Created by: James MacTaggart
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 18
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Studio 4 - Plot
Studio 4 is an anthology drama series utilising BBC Television Centre's Studio Four, and running for two series in 1962 on BBC One. It was envisaged as a sequel to Storyboard, a similar anthology series which had been transmitted the previous year.
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Studio 4 - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- James MacTaggart
Main Cast
- Frederick Farley
- Marjorie Wilde
- Desmond Cullum-Jones
- David Spenser
- Dallas Cavell
- Ronald Wilson
- Mary McMillen
- Charles Lewsen
- Ian Wilson
- Richard Pescud
Writers
- Gerald Hanley
- Arthur Hailey
- Tony Webster
Studio 4 - FAQs
Is Studio 4 connected to any other BBC anthology series?
Studio 4 was conceived as a direct follow-up to Storyboard, a comparable BBC anthology series that aired in 1961. Both programmes shared a similar format of self-contained dramatic stories, with Studio 4 continuing that tradition across two series in 1962 using BBC Television Centre's Studio Four.
What is Studio 4 about?
Studio 4 is a British anthology drama series that aired on BBC One in 1962. Each episode presents a standalone dramatic story, drawing on adaptations of novels, plays, and short stories. The series was produced at BBC Television Centre's Studio Four and ran for two series totalling 18 episodes.
Is Studio 4 based on books or original stories?
The series drew from a range of source material, including novels, plays, and short stories. Writers such as Gerald Hanley and Arthur Hailey contributed adaptations, giving the anthology a varied literary foundation and allowing each episode to bring a distinct dramatic voice to the BBC One audience.
How many episodes does Studio 4 have?
Studio 4 comprises 18 episodes spread across two series. The first series ran for 12 episodes and the second for 6, with each instalment running approximately 30 minutes. All episodes aired on BBC One in 1962, making it a compact but notable entry in early British television drama.
Who created Studio 4?
Studio 4 was created by James MacTaggart, a highly influential figure in British television drama. MacTaggart went on to become one of the BBC's most celebrated producers and directors, championing socially engaged and formally adventurous drama throughout the 1960s and beyond.
Is Studio 4 considered partially lost media?
Studio 4 is classified as partially lost media, a fate shared by many BBC productions from the early 1960s. During that era, the BBC routinely wiped or discarded recordings to reuse expensive videotape, meaning that not all 18 episodes have survived in the archive to this day.
Who were the main actors in Studio 4?
The series featured an ensemble of British character actors across its episodes, including Frederick Farley, Marjorie Wilde, Desmond Cullum-Jones, David Spenser, Dallas Cavell, Ronald Wilson, Mary McMillen, Charles Lewsen, Ian Wilson, and Richard Pescud, each appearing in individual anthology stories.
What are some shows similar to Studio 4?
Fans of anthology drama may enjoy Tales of the Unexpected, Night Gallery, and Small Axe, all of which share Studio 4's tradition of self-contained stories with strong dramatic writing. American Horror Stories and The Romanoffs offer more contemporary takes on the anthology format for modern viewers.
More About Studio 4
Explore further details about Studio 4 through these authoritative sources.