Lovejoy (1986)
The roguish antiques dealer with a supernatural eye for the genuine article — six seasons of wit, charm, and intrigue from BBC One.
Lovejoy - Series Information
- Original Title: Lovejoy
- First Air Year: 1986
- Last Air Year: 1994
- Created by: Ian La Frenais, Jonathan Gash
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 50 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 73
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 10, 1986 (United States - TV-PG), January 10, 1986 (United Kingdom - 12), January 10, 1986 (Australia - PG)
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Lovejoy - Plot
The adventures of the eponymous Lovejoy, a likeable but roguish antiques dealer based in East Anglia. Within the trade, he has a reputation as a "divvie", a person with an almost supernatural powers for recognising exceptional items as well as distinguishing genuine antique from clever fakes or forgeries.
Where to Watch Lovejoy
Looking for where to watch Lovejoy?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Lovejoy - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ian La Frenais
- Jonathan Gash
Main Cast
- Ian McShane
- Dudley Sutton
- Chris Jury
- Phyllis Logan
- Malcolm Tierney
- Caroline Langrishe
- Diane Parish
- Pavel Douglas
- Maggie Ollerenshaw
- Geoffrey Bateman
Writers
- Ian La Frenais
- Terry Hodgkinson
- Roger Marshall
- Jeremy Paul
- Douglas Watkinson
Lovejoy - FAQs
Where can you stream Lovejoy online?
Lovejoy is available to stream on BritBox, PBS, and Spectrum On Demand. It can also be accessed through BritBox on Amazon Channel, PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, and BritBox on Apple TV Channel. WETA+ also carries the series, and KQED offers free viewing with ads. Amazon Video and Google Play Movies offer it for purchase.
Is Lovejoy based on a true story?
Lovejoy is based on the popular novel series by Jonathan Gash, one of the show's creators. Gash drew on his deep knowledge of the antiques trade to craft the character, though Lovejoy himself is entirely fictional. The vivid East Anglian setting and authentic antiques detail give the series a convincingly real atmosphere.
Who plays Lovejoy in the BBC series?
Ian McShane plays the title role of Lovejoy, the charming and roguish antiques dealer. He is joined by Dudley Sutton as Tinker Dill, Chris Jury as Eric Catchpole, Phyllis Logan as Lady Jane Felsham, and Caroline Langrishe as Charlotte Cavendish, among others across the series' six seasons.
What is a 'divvie' in Lovejoy?
A 'divvie' is a term from the antiques trade used in the show to describe someone with an almost supernatural ability to recognise genuine antiques and spot clever fakes or forgeries. Lovejoy possesses this rare gift, which sets him apart from other dealers and drives much of the series' intrigue and plotlines.
How many seasons does Lovejoy have?
Lovejoy ran for six main seasons on BBC One, comprising 73 episodes in total. Season 1 had 10 episodes, Season 2 had 12, Season 3 had 14, Season 4 had 13, Season 5 had 14, and Season 6 wrapped things up with 10 episodes. There are also 8 special episodes collected under Season 0.
When did Lovejoy first air on BBC One?
Lovejoy made its debut on BBC One on January 10, 1986. The series ran until 1994, spanning nearly a decade and building a devoted following on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly among fans of British character-driven drama and the world of antiques.
Is Lovejoy worth watching today?
Absolutely. Lovejoy holds up remarkably well as a charming, witty, and endlessly watchable series. Ian McShane's magnetic performance anchors every episode, and the blend of light mystery, comedy, and genuine antiques knowledge gives the show a distinctive flavour that few British dramas of its era can match.
What shows are similar to Lovejoy?
Fans of Lovejoy tend to enjoy other charming British mystery-comedies such as Harry Wild, Annika, Grace, and Return to Paradise. For a similarly roguish lead character with a knack for getting into trouble, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin and Wild Cards also make for entertaining viewing.
More About Lovejoy
Explore further details about Lovejoy on these authoritative resources.