Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Week Of Sundays | 19851222 | 20231225/26 (BBC7) | 'It seemed a bit sad that we weren't doing the full Christmas bit this year, and I thought maybe it'd be a good idea if we had our own little Christmas lunch on Sunday...' Sarah bickers with daughter Clare and mother Eleanor bicker over their festive planning. imon Brett's comedy about three generations of women - struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband - who never quite manage to see eye to eye. Customer ...... Alan Thompson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1985. The family decide to break from tradition and make alternative festive arrangements. Sarah, Clare and Eleanor bicker over their festive planning. Stars Prunella Scales and Joan Sanderson. From December 1985. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Each is struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, yet they never quite manage to see eye-to-eye. | ||
| A Week Of Sundays | 20171222 | 'It seemed a bit sad that we weren't doing the full Christmas bit this year, and I thought maybe it'd be a good idea if we had our own little Christmas lunch on Sunday...' Sarah bickers with daughter Clare and mother Eleanor bicker over their festive planning. Starring Prunella Scales as Sarah, Joan Sanderson as Eleanor, Gerry Cowper as Clare, Benjamin Whitrow as Russell and Alan Thompson as the Customer. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1985. The family decide to break from tradition and make alternative festive arrangements. | |||
| The Season Of Relative Goodwill | 19871225 | 20141226/27 (BBC7) 20181226 (BBC7) 20181227 (BBC7) | Even doing what you always do at Christmas presupposes agreement about exactly what it is that you always do'. Sarah's mother makes everyone follow her strict timetable for Christmas Day. Starring Prunella Scales as Sarah, Joan Sanderson as Eleanor, Benjamin Whitrow as Russell and Gerry Cowper as Clare. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1987. | ||
| 01 | 01 | The Older Man | 19850417 | 20110805/06 (BBC7) 20140423 (BBC7) 20140424 (BBC7) 20170825 (BBC7) 20170826 (BBC7) 20210826 (BBC7) | Widow Sarah battles to bring up her 18-year-old daughter Clare, hindered by her meddling mother Eleanor. The debut episode of Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women - struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband - who never quite manage to see eye to eye. Sarah - . Prunella Scales Eleanor - . Joan Sanderson Russell - . Benjamin Whitrow Clare - . Gerry Cowper Nick - . James Griffiths First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1985. Widow Sarah is bringing up her daughter, with a meddling mother. |
| 01 | 02 | Moving | 19850424 | 20110812/13 (BBC7) 20140430 (BBC7) 20140501 (BBC7) 20170901 (BBC7) 20170902 (BBC7) 20210902 (BBC7) | Her daughter wants to move out. Her mother wants to move in, but should Sarah just sell up? Sarah - . Prunella Scales Eleanor - . Joan Sanderson Russell - . Benjamin Whitrow Clare - . Gerry Cowper Janie - . Marion Bailey First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 1985. Her daughter wants to move out. Her mother wants to move in. Should Sarah just sell up? |
| 01 | 03 | The Cowboy | 19850501 | 20110819/20 (BBC7) 20140507 (BBC7) 20140508 (BBC7) 20170908 (BBC7) 20170909 (BBC7) 20210909 (BBC7) | Sarah's mother and daughter gang up on her when she hires a cheap builder with big brown eyes... Starring Prunella Scales as Sarah, Joan Sanderson as Eleanor, Benjamin Whitrow as Russell, Gerry Cowper as Clare and Leo Dolan as Terry. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1985. Sarah's mother and daughter gang up on her when she hires a builder. |
| 01 | 04 | The Dinner Party | 19850508 | 20110826/27 (BBC7) 20140514 (BBC7) 20140515 (BBC7) 20170915 (BBC7) 20170916 (BBC7) 20210916 (BBC7) | Sarah plays hostess, Mother plays the martyr and daughter Clare holds a flat-warming party. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, the trio never quite manage to see eye to eye. Sarah - . Prunella Scales Eleanor - . Joan Sanderson Russell - . Benjamin Whitrow Clare - . Gerry Cowper Leo Dolan - . Richard Davies Gwen - . Ellen McIntosh First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1985. Sarah plays hostess, Mother plays the martyr and Clare holds a flat-warming party. |
| 01 | 05 | Gossip | 19850515 | 20110902/03 (BBC7) 20140521 (BBC7) 20140522 (BBC7) 20170922 (BBC7) 20170923 (BBC7) 20210923 (BBC7) | Rumours abound - as Sarah and her mother unwittingly conspire together. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, the trio never quite manage to see eye to eye. Sarah - . Prunella Scales Eleanor - . Joan Sanderson Russell - . Benjamin Whitrow Clare - . Gerry Cowper Vicar - . John Nettleton First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1985. Rumours abound as Sarah and her mother unwittingly conspire together. |
| 01 | 06 | Mr Right | 19850522 | 20110909/10 (BBC7) 20140528 (BBC7) 20140529 (BBC7) 20170929 (BBC7) 20170930 (BBC7) 20210930 (BBC7) | Sarah meets her daughter Clare's boyfriend, while her mother Eleanor interferes. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, the trio never quite manage to see eye to eye. Sarah - . Prunella Scales Eleanor - . Joan Sanderson Russell - . Benjamin Whitrow Clare - . Gerry Cowper David - . Nigel Williams Four radio series were made, but instead of then moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1985. Sarah meets her daughter Clare's boyfriend, while her mother interferes. |
| 01 | 07 | The Spectre At The Feast | 19850529 | 20110916/17 (BBC7) 20140604 (BBC7) 20140605 (BBC7) 20171006 (BBC7) 20171007 (BBC7) 20211007 (BBC7) | Widow Sarah is wary of matchmakers - and her mother Eleanor's interference. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, the trio never quite manage to see eye to eye. Sarah - . Prunella Scales Eleanor - . Joan Sanderson Russell - . Benjamin Whitrow Clare - . Gerry Cowper Chris - . Mark Kingston Four radio series were made, but instead of then moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 1985. Angry widow Sarah dodges matchmakers and her mother's interference. |
| 01 | 08 | Going Away | 19850605 | 20110923/24 (BBC7) 20140611 (BBC7) 20140612 (BBC7) 20171013 (BBC7) 20171014 (BBC7) 20211014 (BBC7) | Sarah's keen to book a holiday, but can't get away from her family. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, the trio never quite manage to see eye to eye. Sarah - Prunella Scales Eleanor - Joan Sanderson Russell - Benjamin Whitrow Clare - Gerry Cowper Alison - Mary Maddox Four radio series were made, but instead of then moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 1985. Sarah is keen to book a holiday, but can't get away from her family. |
| 02 | 01 | Memory Games | 19860816 | 20120629/30 (BBC7) 20140808 (BBC7) 20140809 (BBC7) 20171201 (BBC7) 20171202 (BBC7) 20200422 (BBC7) 20200425 (BBC7) 20211216 (BBC7) | Mother, you are doing it again. You are defining us. And what's more, you are wrong. Henry was lovely and endearing, but he wasn't practical. He couldn't organise himself out of a paper bag.'. Daughter Clare's trivia quiz helps Sarah with all her memories of late husband Henry. Miles ...... David Quilter Quizmaster .... Graham Blockey First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1986. Daughter Clare's trivia quiz helps Sarah with all her memories of her late husband. |
| 02 | 02 | The Romantic Approach | 19860823 | 20120706/07 (BBC7) 20140815 (BBC7) 20140816 (BBC7) 20171208 (BBC7) 20171209 (BBC7) 20200429 (BBC7) 20211223 (BBC7) | 'It's amazing how much harm winning a war does for the moral fibre of a nation. I mean, you'd never have seen Winston Churchill walking around with a personal stereo.' Clare's been dumped, Eleanor finds a friend and Sarah's listening. Aubrey ...... Lockwood West Delivery boy ...... David Learner Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV, Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1986. Clare has been dumped, Eleanor finds a friend and Sarah is listening. |
| 02 | 03 | The Cold | 19860830 | 20120713/14 (BBC7) 20140822 (BBC7) 20140823 (BBC7) 20171215 (BBC7) 20171216 (BBC7) 20211230 (BBC7) | Some people like all the pampering and self-indulgence that goes with being ill, and some of us just don't. It really comes down to whether one's a selfish sort of person or not. Sarah, her mother Eleanor and daughter Clare battle with colds - and each other. Doctor ...... Peter Howell First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 1986. |
| 02 | 04 | Bedside Manners | 19860906 | 20120720/21 (BBC7) 20140829 (BBC7) 20140830 (BBC7) 20171229 (BBC7) 20171230 (BBC7) 20220106 (BBC7) | 'You hear of people going into hospital for simple routine tests, and then it turns out they've got something quite ghastly.' Poorly Sarah's in hospital and must cope with visits from her mother and daughter. The Sister ...... Deborah Findlay First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986. Poorly Sarah is in hospital and must cope with visits from her mother and daughter. |
| 02 | 05 | The Kitten | 19860913 | 20120727/28 (BBC7) 20140905 (BBC7) 20140906 (BBC7) 20180105 (BBC7) 20180106 (BBC7) 20200506 (BBC7) 20220113 (BBC7) | 'One kitten looks pretty much like another kitten so far as I'm concerned. They're just small versions of cats. And I'm not that keen on cats.' Sarah and her mother disagree over tidiness of the house - until a visitor arrives... Policeman ...... Michael Hadley Percy Bradshaw ...... Simon Brett First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986. Sarah and her mother disagree over house tidiness, until a visitor arrives. |
| 02 | 06 | The Married Man | 19860920 | 20120803/04 (BBC7) 20140912 (BBC7) 20140913 (BBC7) 20180112 (BBC7) 20180113 (BBC7) 20200513 (BBC7) 20220120 (BBC7) | 'Many people have found that a couple of months negotiating gear levers in golf-club car parks can rather take the edge off romance.' Clare's latest love affair proves difficult to keep secret from granny Eleanor. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986. |
| 02 | 07 | The Other Married Man | 19860927 | 20120810/11 (BBC7) 20140919 (BBC7) 20140920 (BBC7) 20180119 (BBC7) 20180120 (BBC7) 20200520 (BBC7) 20220127 (BBC7) | 'I can tell when she's being deceitful. There's an expression that comes into her face. I remember when she was only two and she cut all Rosie's hair off.' Sarah tries keeping her affair secret, but her mother Eleanor can sniff out deceit. James ...... Edward de Souza First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1986. |
| 02 | 08 | The Teapot | 19861004 | 20120817/18 (BBC7) 20140926 (BBC7) 20140927 (BBC7) 20180126 (BBC7) 20180127 (BBC7) 20200527 (BBC7) 20220203 (BBC7) | Eleanor wants a video player but how can she raise the cash? The Valuer ...... Nicholas Le Prevost Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV, Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1986. Eleanor wants a video player, but how can she raise the cash? |
| 03 | 01 | Wedding Bells | 19870922 | 20130109/10 (BBC7) 20141114 (BBC7) 20141115 (BBC7) 20180413 (BBC7) 20180414 (BBC7) 20200715 (BBC7) 20220310 (BBC7) 20220312 (BBC7) | 'Well, I think it's a mother's duty to keep a maternal eye on her daughter's emotional entanglements. That's what I always tried to do with you. You know, subtly. At a distance.' Eleanor has plans for nuptials in the family, but the family has other ideas... First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1987. |
| 03 | 02 | Poor Relations | 19870929 | 20130116/17 (BBC7) 20141121 (BBC7) 20141122 (BBC7) 20180420 (BBC7) 20180421 (BBC7) 20200722 (BBC7) 20220317 (BBC7) | 'No, they're lovely. They'd never make me feel awkward. They'll keep inviting me, even if I never ask them back. That's not the problem. It's my pride. I want to be equal with them. I don't want to traipse around in their wake like something out of Anita Brookner.' Proud Sarah suffers her mother's nosiness, as well as some unexpected advances. Neville ...... Ian Thompson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1987. Proud Sarah suffers her mother's nosiness as well as some unexpected advances. |
| 03 | 03 | Guilty Secrets | 19871006 | 20130123/24 (BBC7) 20141128 (BBC7) 20141129 (BBC7) 20180427 (BBC7) 20180428 (BBC7) 20200729 (BBC7) 20220324 (BBC7) | 'She does have her sensitivities. And this.... for a woman ... any woman ... even my mother - I'd have thought it would strike at the whole image she has of her entire marriage.' Sarah tidies up husband Henry's study four years after his death. Rod ...... Paul Sirr Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV , Thames Television produced 'After Henry' for the ITV network. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 1987. |
| 03 | 04 | Lines Of Communication | 19871013 | 20130130/31 (BBC7) 20141205 (BBC7) 20141206 (BBC7) 20180504 (BBC7) 20180505 (BBC7) 20200805 (BBC7) 20220331 (BBC7) | 'It's been wonderfully peaceful. Or it would have been if I hadn't felt so guilty all the time.' Sarah and her mother Eleanor wage a war of attrition, until Russell steps in. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1987. |
| 03 | 05 | Intellectual Aspirations | 19871020 | 20130206/07 (BBC7) 20141212 (BBC7) 20141213 (BBC7) 20180511 (BBC7) 20180512 (BBC7) 20200812 (BBC7) 20220407 (BBC7) | '... but he did look at you twice. So clearly you have something that appeals to him other than your ability to discuss Schopenhauer's Weltanschauung.' Clare's seeing graduate Julian, but his brainy parents make her feel inadequate. Julian ...... Jasper Jacob First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1987. Clare is seeing graduate Julian, but his brainy parents make her feel inadequate. |
| 03 | 06 | A Box Of Chocolates | 19871027 | 20130213/14 (BBC7) 20130216 (BBC7) 20141219 (BBC7) 20141220 (BBC7) 20180518 (BBC7) 20180519 (BBC7) 20200819 (BBC7) 20220414 (BBC7) | 'Any treaty drawn up with my mother would have to include strict boundary agreements. I'm afraid she has the same attitude to frontiers as Genghis Khan. And now I come to think of it, the similarities don't end there.' When Sarah meets an old flame 30 years on, her mother manages to interrupt them once again. Peter ...... Tom Wilkinson Doctor ...... Julie Berry First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 1987. When Sarah sees an old flame 30 years on, her mother interrupts them once again. |
| 03 | 07 | Different Viewpoints | 19871103 | 20130220/21 (BBC7) 20150102 (BBC7) 20150103 (BBC7) 20180525 (BBC7) 20180526 (BBC7) 20200826 (BBC7) 20220421 (BBC7) | 'If the television is a guest in the house, it's rude to exclude it from the conversation. If the television says something, then one would be impolite not to respond to it.' Sarah is irritated by her mother Eleanor's opinions on TV - and every other subject... First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1987. Sarah is irritated by her mother Eleanor's opinions on TV and every other subject. |
| 03 | 08 | The End Of A Chapter | 19871110 | 20130227/28 (BBC7) 20150109 (BBC7) 20150110 (BBC7) 20180601 (BBC7) 20180602 (BBC7) 20200902 (BBC7) 20220428 (BBC7) | 'The status quo does suit me rather well.' Sarah's off to Florence, but worries about her mother - and shock news from Clare. Julian ...... Jasper Jacob First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 1987. Sarah is off to Florence but worries about her mother, plus there's shock news from Clare. |
| 04 | 01 | Dependent Relatives | 19890117 | 20130417/18 (BBC7) 20150820 (BBC7) 20150821 (BBC7) 20180706 (BBC7) 20180707 (BBC7) 20201104 (BBC7) 20231127 (BBC7) 20231128 (BBC7) | I'm sorry, Mother. It's just that that's the fourth time you've said you're not feeling at all well in the last hour'. Sarah is missing her daughter Clare - and her mother Eleanor is still very irritating. Sarah is missing daughter Clare, and her mother Eleanor is still very irritating. I'm sorry, Mother. It's just that that's the fourth time you've said you're not feeling at all well in the last hour. Sarah is missing daughter Clare, and her mother Eleanor is still very irritating. Stars Prunella Scales. From January 1989. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Each is struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, yet they never quite manage to see eye-to-eye. Four radio series were made, but instead of moving to BBC TV - Thames Television produced After Henry for the ITV network. |
| 04 | 02 | Relative Movement | 19890124 | 20130424/25 (BBC7) 20150827 (BBC7) 20150828 (BBC7) 20180713 (BBC7) 20180714 (BBC7) 20201111 (BBC7) 20231204 (BBC7) 20231205 (BBC7) | 'If you've decided you're going to settle permanently in Australia.... well, it could make sense for me to rent the place out.' With daughter Clare off on her travels, Sarah is plotting... . Clare ...... Gerry Cowpe Lady Newby ...... Fabia Drake With her daughter Clare away in Australia, Sarah decides to rent her flat out. With her daughter Clare away in Australia, Sarah decides to rent her flat out. Stars Prunella Scales. From January 1989. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Each is struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, yet they never quite manage to see eye-to-eye. |
| 04 | 03 | A Fully Extended Family | 19890131 | 20130501/02 (BBC7) 20150903 (BBC7) 20150904 (BBC7) 20180720 (BBC7) 20180721 (BBC7) 20201118 (BBC7) 20231211 (BBC7) 20231212 (BBC7) | Mother's mind is so devious. She can build up huge edifices of fantasy from the smallest hint'. Clare returns from Australia, but where is Julian? Sarah delves and Eleanor spins. Clare ...... Gerry Cowpe Mother's mind is so devious. She can build up huge edifices of fantasy from the smallest hint. Clare returns from Australia, but where is Julian? Sarah delves and Eleanor spins. Stars Prunella Scales. From January 1989. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Each is struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, yet they never quite manage to see eye-to-eye. |
| 04 | 04 | Sunday Lunch | 19890207 | 20130508/09 (BBC7) 20150910 (BBC7) 20150911 (BBC7) 20180727 (BBC7) 20180728 (BBC7) 20201125 (BBC7) 20231218 (BBC7) 20231219 (BBC7) | In certain circumstances you steam fish when someone's ill or something. You don't steam potatoes. Sarah and her mother Eleanor argue over cooking the veg. To steam or not to steam? Sarah and Eleanor argue over potatoes. To steam or not to steam? Sarah and Eleanor argue over potatoes. Stars Prunella Scales and Joan Sanderson. From February 1989. 'In certain circumstances you steam fish when someone's ill or something. You don't steam potatoes.' Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Each is struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, yet they never quite manage to see eye-to-eye. |
| 04 | 05 | Little Women | 19890214 | 20130515/16 (BBC7) 20150917 (BBC7) 20150918 (BBC7) 20180803 (BBC7) 20180804 (BBC7) 20201202 (BBC7) 20240101 (BBC7) 20240102 (BBC7) | I don't know which of the two masculine approaches is the more offensive - Gary's straight boorishness or Vernon's patronising, undervaluing gallantry'. Trying to put up a new shelf, Sarah goes to war in the battle of the sexes. Vernon - Frederick Treves Gary - Ian Michie First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1989. Sarah has a bit of trouble putting up some shelves, but she gets the last laugh. Sarah has a bit of trouble putting up some shelves, but she gets the last laugh. Stars Prunella Scales. From February 1998. Trying to put up a new shelf, Sarah's goes to war in the battle of the sexes. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Each is struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, yet they never quite manage to see eye-to-eye. |
| 04 | 06 | Family Album | 19890221 | 20130522/23 (BBC7) 20150924 (BBC7) 20150925 (BBC7) 20170517 (BBC7) 20180810 (BBC7) 20180811 (BBC7) 20201209 (BBC7) 20240108 (BBC7) 20240109 (BBC7) | Look at this old dear - roses round her cottage door, a cosy smell of making cake wafting from her kitchen. I can imagine a lot of people buying that, putting it in a frame and claiming it as their own grandmother. Probably easier to cope with than the real thing'. Eleanor's family snaps spark arguments with daughter Sarah over the past... Sarah - Prunella Scales Eleanor - Joan Sanderson Russell - Benjamin Whitrow Clare - Gerry Cowper Auntie Lilian - Jean Anderson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1989. Eleanor's old snaps spark arguments with Sarah over the past. From February 1989. Eleanor's old snaps spark arguments with Sarah over the past. Stars Prunella Scales and Joan Sanderson. From February 1989. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Each is struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, yet they never quite manage to see eye-to-eye. |
| 04 | 07 | Keeping Faith | 19890228 | 20130529/30 (BBC7) 20151001 (BBC7) 20151002 (BBC7) 20180817 (BBC7) 20180818 (BBC7) 20201216 (BBC7) 20240115 (BBC7) 20240116 (BBC7) | 'Anyone brought up on the Bible would automatically know that it's wrong to have a milk bottle on the table.' When Clare revokes her faith in God, her mother and granny are none too pleased. Sarah - Prunella Scales Eleanor - Joan Sanderson Russell - Benjamin Whitrow Clare - Gerry Cowper First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1989. Simon Brett's comedy about three generations of women. Each is struggling to cope after the death of Sarah's GP husband, yet they never quite manage to see eye-to-eye. When Clare revokes her faith in God, her mother and granny are none too pleased. Stars Prunella Scales. From February 1989. |
| 04 | 08 | Positive Thinking | 19890307 | 20130605/06 (BBC7) 20151008 (BBC7) 20151009 (BBC7) 20180824 (BBC7) 20180825 (BBC7) 20201223 (BBC7) 20240122 (BBC7) 20240123 (BBC7) | 'I've never seen Clare so sure of herself. Or so sure of anything.' With Julian back on the scene, Clare is ecstatic. But her mother Sarah has concerns. Sarah - Prunella Scales Eleanor - Joan Sanderson Russell - Benjamin Whitrow Clare - Gerry Cowper Julian - Jasper Jacob First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 1989. With Julian back on the scene, Clare is ecstatic. But her mother Sarah has concerns. Stars Prunella Scales. From March 1989. |