The Wednesday Play (1964)
A groundbreaking BBC anthology drama strand that brought bold, socially charged television plays into British living rooms from 1964 to 1970.
The Wednesday Play - Series Information
- Original Title: The Wednesday Play
- First Air Year: 1964
- Last Air Year: 1970
- Created by: Sydney Newman
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 75 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 9
- Number of Episodes: 189
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Wednesday Play - Plot
An anthology series of television plays which aired on BBC1 from October 1964 to May 1970. The plays were usually written for television, although adaptations from other sources also featured.
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The Wednesday Play - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Sydney Newman
Main Cast
- John Bailey
- John Savident
- Rosemary Leach
- Cleo Sylvestre
- Barry Jackson
- John Phillips
- Richard Davies
- Robert Hardy
- Basil Henson
- Tony Selby
Writers
- Dennis Potter
- Jimmy O'Connor
- Marc Brandel
- Anthony Church
- Noël Coward
The Wednesday Play - FAQs
What is The Wednesday Play about?
The Wednesday Play is a BBC anthology drama series that aired from October 1964 to May 1970. Each episode presented a self-contained television play, mostly written originally for the screen, exploring bold social, political, and human themes that were often controversial for their era.
Who created The Wednesday Play?
The Wednesday Play was created by Sydney Newman, the influential Canadian-born television producer who also co-created Doctor Who. Newman championed socially engaged drama at the BBC and shaped the strand's commitment to original, provocative writing for television.
When did The Wednesday Play first air?
The Wednesday Play first aired in October 1964 on BBC1. The series ran for nine seasons and 189 episodes before concluding in May 1970, when it was succeeded by the equally celebrated Play for Today strand.
How many episodes does The Wednesday Play have?
The Wednesday Play comprises 189 episodes spread across nine seasons. Season 1 had 34 episodes, Season 2 had 37, Season 3 had 31, Season 4 had 25, Season 5 had 26, Season 6 had 34, and the remaining seasons contained smaller episode counts.
Did Cathy Come Home air as a Wednesday Play?
Yes. Cathy Come Home, Ken Loach's landmark 1966 social realist drama written by Jeremy Sandford, was broadcast as part of The Wednesday Play strand. It caused a national debate about homelessness and housing policy, and remains one of the most influential pieces of British television ever made.
What made The Wednesday Play culturally significant?
The Wednesday Play redefined British television drama by tackling poverty, class, race, sexuality, and political injustice with unflinching honesty. It launched the careers of writers like Dennis Potter and directors like Ken Loach, establishing a tradition of socially committed television drama that influenced generations of British filmmakers.
Who were the notable writers for The Wednesday Play?
The series featured an exceptional roster of writers including Dennis Potter, Noël Coward, Hugh Whitemore, John Prebble, and Roger Manvell, among others. Dennis Potter in particular used the strand to develop his distinctive, highly personal dramatic voice before becoming one of Britain's most celebrated television playwrights.
Where can you watch The Wednesday Play?
Streaming and viewing options for The Wednesday Play vary by region. You can check current availability across platforms in your area via JustWatch, which aggregates streaming, rental, and purchase options. Many individual plays from the strand have also been released on physical media by the BFI.
More About The Wednesday Play
Explore further details about The Wednesday Play on these authoritative external resources.