TV series
A BBC television anthology series featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different work, often using prominent British stage actors in the leading roles. The series was transmitted from October 1965 to September 1983.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
BBC Play of the Month premiered October 19, 1965. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
A BBC television anthology series featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different work, often using prominent British stage actors in the leading roles. The series was transmitted from October 1965 to September 1983.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Nemov is an honest man serving a term of 10 years for violations of Article 58. Nemov falls in love with Lyuba, who is having sex with the camp doctor Mereshchun, in exchange for better food and living conditions.
Directed by Alan ClarkeWritten by Alexandr SolzhenitsynGuest stars David Leland, Gabrielle Lloyd, Richard Durden, Patrick Stewart, Allan Surtees, Michael Poole, Barry Jackson, John Kane
Episode 2
An exploration of the relationship between two couples from different social classes: one wealthy and Conservative, one poor and socialist.
Directed by Christopher MorahanWritten by Peter NicholsGuest stars Vivien Merchant, Peter Jeffrey, Dennis Waterman, Gwen Taylor, Shelagh Fraser, Trevor Baxter
Episode 3
Scoundrels are put on notice and women (literally) wear the pants in this uproarious comedy. Recruiting officers travel from port to port wooing men into service at sea, and women into their beds. Two such men, Worthy and Plume, land in Shrewsbury each in love with a woman who lives there.
Directed by David GilesWritten by George FarquharGuest stars David Battley, Jane Asher, Ian McKellen, Brian Blessed, George Merritt, Alec Bregonzi, Tim Wylton, Candace Glendenning
Episode 4
When linguistics professor Henry Higgins boasts that he can pass off Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle as a princess with only six months' training, Colonel George Pickering takes him up on the bet. Eliza moves into Higgins's home and begins her rigorous training after the professor comes to a financial agreement with her dustman father, Alfred. But the plucky young woman is not the only one undergoing a transformation.
Directed by Cedric MessinaWritten by George Bernard ShawGuest stars James Villiers, Lynn Redgrave, Ronald Fraser, Emrys Jones, Lally Bowers, Nicholas Jones, Joanna McCallum, Joyce Grant
Episode 5
A woman falls in love with a sea captain, and plots to kill her fiance.
Directed by Anthony PageWritten by William Rowley, Thomas MiddletonGuest stars Helen Mirren, Stanley Baker, Brian Cox, Alan Webb, T. P. McKenna, Malcolm Reynolds, Frances Tomelty, Tony Selby
Episode 6
Two young gentlemen living in 1890s England use the same pseudonym ('Ernest') on the sly, which is fine until they both fall in love with women using that name, which leads to a comedy of mistaken identities.
Directed by James MacTaggartWritten by Oscar WildeGuest stars Julian Holloway, Michael Jayston, Coral Browne, Gemma Jones, Celia Bannerman, Lally Bowers, Richard Pearson, Douglas Milvain
Episode 7
A woman unhappy in her passionless marriage leaves her husband for a younger and more ardent lover.
Directed by Rudolph CartierWritten by Terence RattiganGuest stars Virginia McKenna, Peter Egan, Stephen Murray, Vladek Sheybal, Joseph Blatchley, Hilary Mason, Mary Larkin, John Moffatt
Episode 8
The rivalry between a wealthy businessman and his lower-class, self-made rival gets very personal indeed.
Directed by William SlaterWritten by John GalsworthyGuest stars Paul Rogers, Barbara Jefford, Bernard Lee, Judy Geeson, Simon MacCorkindale, Norman Eshley, Kate Nicholls, John Collin
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
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Available nowSimilar story and audience
Available nowSimilar story and audience
Available nowSimilar genres and era
Available nowSimilar genres and era
Available nowSimilar genres and era
Available nowSimilar genres and era
Helen MirrenMargery Pinchwife
Anthony HopkinsAlfred Allmers
Eileen AtkinsOlga
Eric PorterMacbeth
Geoffrey BayldonDyadin
Ronald HinesRonny Heaslop
Edward FoxLysander
Stephanie BidmeadLady Capulet
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
BBCUnited Kingdom