BBC2 Play of the Week (1977)
A celebrated BBC Two anthology series adapting stage plays and novels into compelling feature-length television dramas, broadcast from 1977 to 1979.
BBC2 Play of the Week - Series Information
- Original Title: BBC2 Play of the Week
- First Air Year: 1977
- Last Air Year: 1979
- Created by: Sarah Pia Anderson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (100 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 38
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: BBC Two
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
BBC2 Play of the Week - Plot
An anthology of plays and novels adapted into feature length TV movies, broadcast on BBC2 from September 1977 to April 1979.
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BBC2 Play of the Week - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Sarah Pia Anderson
Main Cast
- Ian Holm
- Ann Bell
- Maureen O'Brien
- Tim Pigott-Smith
- Anna Cropper
- Bernard Hill
- Frederick Treves
- David Quilter
- Roger Milner
- John Shrapnel
Writers
- Andrew Birkin
- David Mercer
- Don Taylor
- Andrew Davies
- Don Shaw
Executive Producers
- Max Rosenberg
BBC2 Play of the Week - FAQs
What is BBC2 Play of the Week about?
BBC2 Play of the Week is a British anthology series that brought literary and theatrical works to television as feature-length TV movies. Broadcast on BBC Two between September 1977 and April 1979, it adapted a wide range of plays and novels, offering viewers self-contained dramatic stories across its two seasons.
Who are the main actors in BBC2 Play of the Week?
The series featured a distinguished ensemble of British actors, including Ian Holm, Ann Bell, Maureen O'Brien, Tim Pigott-Smith, Anna Cropper, Bernard Hill, Frederick Treves, David Quilter, Roger Milner, and John Shrapnel, each appearing across various anthology entries.
How many seasons and episodes does BBC2 Play of the Week have?
BBC2 Play of the Week ran for two seasons, comprising 38 episodes in total. Season 1 contained 23 episodes and Season 2 featured 15 episodes, all broadcast on BBC Two between 1977 and 1979.
Is BBC2 Play of the Week based on books or plays?
Every entry in the series is an adaptation — drawn from novels, stage plays, or musicals. The anthology format allowed BBC Two to bring a diverse range of literary and theatrical works to a television audience as standalone, feature-length productions.
Who created and wrote BBC2 Play of the Week?
Sarah Pia Anderson served as creator of the series. The writing team was equally impressive, featuring Andrew Birkin, David Mercer, Don Taylor, Andrew Davies, Don Shaw, Tankred Dorst, James Warner Bellah, Arnold Wesker, and Donald MacIntyre, among others.
What genre is BBC2 Play of the Week?
The series spans Drama and Comedy, reflecting the broad range of source material it adapted. As an anthology, individual entries could shift in tone considerably — from serious literary drama to lighter comedic fare — making the overall series difficult to pin to a single genre.
When did BBC2 Play of the Week first air?
The series premiered in September 1977 on BBC Two and ran through to April 1979, when it concluded after two seasons. It remains a notable example of the BBC's commitment to high-quality literary adaptation during the late 1970s.
What are shows similar to BBC2 Play of the Week?
Fans of anthology drama may enjoy The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) and Tales from the Darkside (1984) for their episodic storytelling format. The Astronaut Wives Club (2015) and Partners in Crime (2015) also share a similar period-drama sensibility rooted in literary adaptation.
More About BBC2 Play of the Week
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