Episodes

TitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
And The Eternal Triangle2010081020200528 (R4)When Rumpole and Hilda attend a concert performed by The Casterini Trio, Rumpole is surprised to be approached by Elizabeth Casterini - the trio's beautiful violinist. Rumpole falls for her charms. But then, the Trio's cellist, Tom Randall is murdered.

Elizabeth's husband Desmond was supposedly suspicious of Randall's feelings for Elizabeth. And, since he owned the gun that was found by the body, Desmond is arrested. Flattered by Elizabeth's seductive pleas, Rumpole agrees to defend Desmond at the Old Bailey. But there, Rumpole's admiration for Elizabeth rapidly begins to wane.

Older Rumpole - Timothy West

Young Rumpole - Benedict Cumberbatch

Hilda/Dorothy Clapton - Cathy Sara

Elizabeth Casterini - Faye Castelow

Desmond Casterini/Henry - Adrian Scarborough

Bonny Bernard/Peter Matheson - Matthew Morgan

Claude Erskine-Brown/DS Straw - Nigel Anthony

Sam Ballard - Michael Cochrane

Oliver Oliphant/Barman - Geoffrey Whitehead

Christopher Peek/Waiter/Usher/Alfred - Stephen Critchlow

Directed by Marilyn Imrie.

~Rumpole is seduced into defending an attractive young woman violinist accused of murder.

And The Old Boy Net2014032020200604 (R4)We rejoin Rumpole and Hilda in 1964. Hilda is worried about the choice of school for their son, Nicholas. Hilda wants Rumpole to become a Q.C. in order to afford a decent education for Nicholas. Claude Erskine-Brown is also trying to take silk but he's distracted by the arrival in chambers of Rumpole's new pupil, Miss Phillida Trant.

Phillida assists Rumpole in the defence of Mr Napier Lee, who's charged with running a disorderly house near Victoria Station, and with the more serious accusation of blackmail. Mr Lee admits his customers all went to public school. And the alleged victim of the blackmail was at Lawnhurst College with Mr Lee, which is why Lee won't break the unwritten law and sneak on his old school chum.

Erskine-Brown is prosecuting at the Old Bailey, where Phillida recognises a familiar face in the press box. Isobel Vincent was at Bennenden with Phillida, and now works for the Evening Standard. With help from Phillida, Isobel publishes the name of the alleged victim. This public identification leads to Rumpole's successful defence on the charge of blackmail, but also puts Phillida in danger of prosecution for contempt of court.

Phillida works hard to get out of trouble with the law but, instead, finds herself drawn towards Rumpole - and into trouble of a more personal kind.

Directed by Marilyn Imrie.

~Rumpole's new pupil creates trouble in a case of blackmail. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

And The Sleeping Partners2014032120200611 (R4)After a legal ball in the Savoy Hotel, Rumpole and Hilda argue about Rumpole's drunken behaviour in front of Mr Justice Gwent-Evans. Rumpole can take no more of his wife and jumps out of their taxi. He intends to spend the night in chambers but finds Erskine-Brown in Equity Court, with Phillida Trant, 'working late'. Rumpole asks Phillida to help him with the defence of Hugo Lutterworth, who's accused of trying to kill the husband of his lover.

Phillida goes home with Erskine-Brown, leaving Rumpole to sleep on his sofa - strictly against the rules of chambers. And this is pointed out to him by Erskine-Brown when he arrives early next morning with Phillida. Did they spend the night together? Rumpole's feelings for his pupil are confusing, so he concentrates on his client.

~Rumpole discusses the case again with Phillida, who seems out of sorts. She tells Rumpole to go home to Hilda but he ignores her advice and is caught having supper at his desk by Erskine-Brown, who accidentally invites Rumpole to stay at his flat - which does not go well.

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

~Rumpole leaves his wife Hilda, sleeps in chambers and defends a case of attempted murder.