Play for Today (1970)
A defining BBC anthology drama strand that gave voice to Britain's boldest writers across more than 300 self-contained television plays.
Play for Today - Series Information
- Original Title: Play for Today
- First Air Year: 1970
- Last Air Year: 1985
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 75 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 14
- Number of Episodes: 314
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: BBC One
Play for Today - Plot
Play for Today is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC1 from 1970 to 1984. During the run, more than three hundred programmes, featuring original television plays, and adaptations of stage plays and novels, were transmitted. The individual episodes were between fifty and a hundred minutes in duration.
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Play for Today - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Nigel Hawthorne
- Liz Smith
- Bernard Hill
- Malcolm Terris
- Alison Steadman
- June Brown
- Colin Jeavons
- Tony Caunter
- Colin Douglas
- Julian Curry
Writers
- Colin Welland
- Dennis Potter
- Mike Leigh
- Jeremy Paul
- Alan Bennett
Play for Today - FAQs
What is Play for Today about?
Play for Today is a BBC anthology drama series that ran from 1970 to 1984, presenting over 300 individual television plays. Each episode featured either an original work or an adaptation of a stage play or novel, with runtimes ranging from fifty to a hundred minutes, exploring a wide range of human experiences and social themes.
Who wrote the plays featured in Play for Today?
Play for Today showcased work from some of Britain's most celebrated writers, including Dennis Potter, Mike Leigh, Alan Bennett, Jack Rosenthal, Stephen Poliakoff, Colin Welland, Howard Brenton, and Alan Bleasdale, among many others, making it a defining platform for British dramatic writing.
Where can you watch Play for Today?
Streaming availability for Play for Today varies by region. You can check current viewing options, including any digital or on-demand platforms carrying selected episodes, via JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming and rental information for your location.
How many episodes does Play for Today have?
Play for Today comprises 314 episodes spread across 14 seasons, plus a collection of specials. Each episode is a self-contained play, with individual runtimes typically ranging from fifty to a hundred minutes, reflecting the anthology format's flexibility.
When did Play for Today first air?
Play for Today first aired in 1970 on BBC One and continued broadcasting until 1984, with the series concluding in 1985. Over its fifteen-year run it became one of the most prestigious and culturally significant drama strands in British television history.
Is Play for Today considered a classic British series?
Play for Today is widely regarded as one of the greatest achievements in British television drama. Critics and historians consistently cite it as a golden era for the single play format, nurturing landmark works and launching the careers of writers and directors who shaped British culture for decades.
What genre is Play for Today?
Play for Today is a drama anthology series. Its individual plays spanned a broad spectrum within that genre, encompassing social realism, political satire, kitchen-sink drama, literary adaptation, and psychological character studies, reflecting the full range of British dramatic writing during the 1970s and early 1980s.
What shows are similar to Play for Today?
Viewers who enjoy Play for Today may also appreciate Thirty-Minute Theatre, Somerset Maugham Hour, Inside No. 9, Playhouse, and The Dick Powell Show. These series share the anthology format or a commitment to high-quality, self-contained dramatic storytelling rooted in strong writing and performance.
More About Play for Today
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