TV series
Bread is a British television sitcom, written by Carla Lane, produced by the BBC and screened on BBC1 from 1 May 1986 to 3 November 1991. The series focused on the devoutly-Catholic and extended Boswell family of Liverpool, in the district of Dingle, led by its matriarch Nellie through a number of ups and downs as they tried to make their way through life in Thatcher's Britain with no visible means of support. The street shown at the start of each programme is Elswick Street. A family called Boswell had also featured in Lane's earlier sitcom The Liver Birds and Lane admitted in interviews that the two families were probably related. Nellie's feckless and estranged husband, Freddie, left her for another woman known as 'Lilo Lill'. Her children Joey, Jack, Adrian, Aveline and Billy continued to live in the family home in Kelsall Street and contributed money to the central family fund, largely through benefit fraud and the sale of stolen goods.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Bread premiered May 1, 1986. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Bread is a British television sitcom, written by Carla Lane, produced by the BBC and screened on BBC1 from 1 May 1986 to 3 November 1991. The series focused on the devoutly-Catholic and extended Boswell family of Liverpool, in the district of Dingle, led by its matriarch Nellie through a number of ups and downs as they tried to make their way through life in Thatcher's Britain with no visible means of support. The street shown at the start of each programme is Elswick Street. A family called Boswell had also featured in Lane's earlier sitcom The Liver Birds and Lane admitted in interviews that the two families were probably related. Nellie's feckless and estranged husband, Freddie, left her for another woman known as 'Lilo Lill'. Her children Joey, Jack, Adrian, Aveline and Billy continued to live in the family home in Kelsall Street and contributed money to the central family fund, largely through benefit fraud and the sale of stolen goods.
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Episode 1
Adrian becomes a hero by accident and, despite warnings, starts to embellish his role in the proceedings. Billy is troubled by his forthcoming divorce, Joey gets a worrying letter from the Inland Revenue and Aveline has a check up after failing to become pregnant.
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Reginald Marsh, John Woodnutt, Tony Scoggo, Ina Clough, Danny McCall, Louise Duprey, Philip O'Brien, John Laing
Episode 2
Joey visits the taxman to plead his case but his words fall on deaf ears, Aveline suggests to Oswald that he should have a sperm count and Billy attends court to get his divorce. But all troubles are briefly forgotten when the family go to the airport to meet Jack who has returned home from America.
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Michael Angelis, James McMartin
Episode 3
Jack soon gets back into the swing of buying and selling but the piano he buys causes more trouble than it is worth. Joey tells his mother about his debt and the family agree to pull together to help him. Meanwhile, Aveline is making every effort to get pregnant and creating problems for Oswald.
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Eileen Pollock, Pamela Power, Steve Calrow, Alan Bird
Episode 4
When Adrian helps Jack to recover his stolen piano, they come into conflict with Yizzel and his mate - once again. Lilo Lill has taken a job in service to be near Freddie, whilst Freddie has sold his flat in order to pay Joey's debt.
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Charles Lawson, Simon Rouse, Eileen Pollock, Pamela Power
Episode 5
Aveline is causing concern for everybody as she continues to believe in her phantom pregnancy. Adrian is concerned that Magdalena has not replied to his letter, Billy hears that Julie has a new lover and Jack goes for a job as a handyman at the 'big house'.
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Eileen Pollock, Don Hall, Evie Garratt
Episode 6
Mongy, the family dog, has been accused of biting a little girl and the police are called in to investigate. Billy changes his image in order to make Julie jealous, Jack gets a bumper wage packet thanks to his eccentric boss and Oswald is being pressurized to have a fertility test.
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Eileen Pollock, Joanna Phillips-Lane, Pamela Power, Evie Garratt, Sylvie Gatrill, John Dryden
Episode 7
Aveline has good news about Oswald's sperm count, Adrian finally hears from Magdalena and Joey's loyalty to the family drives a bigger wedge between him and Roxy. Meanwhile, Shifty is in trouble with Yizzel and his mate over money, so he steals their car and heads for London - again!
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Charles Lawson, Simon Rouse, Eileen Pollock, Joanna Phillips-Lane, Pamela Power, Peter Byrne, Evie Garratt, Sylvie Gatrill
Episode 8
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Eileen Pollock, Peter Byrne, Philip O'Brien, Evie Garratt, Mark Reader
Episode 9
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Eileen Pollock, Pamela Power, Peter Byrne, Charles Simon, Mark Curry, Hilary Welles
Episode 10
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Eileen Pollock, Joanna Phillips-Lane, Peter Byrne, Hilary Welles, Patricia Martinelli, Pauline Amos, Gerry Lee Shaw, Tom Williamson
Episode 11
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Eileen Pollock, Joanna Phillips-Lane, Pamela Power, Peter Byrne, Hilary Welles, Patricia Martinelli, Lyndam Gregory
Episode 12
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla LaneGuest stars Charles Lawson, Simon Rouse, Eileen Pollock, Pamela Power, Peter Byrne, Philip O'Brien, Al T. Kossy, Bernard Merrick
Episode 13
Directed by Robin NashWritten by Carla Lane
Episode 14
Christmas for the Boswells brings its usual mix of hilarity, sadness and surprises.
Guest stars David Williams
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match Bread.
Peter HowittJoey Boswell
Jean BohtNellie Boswell
Bryan MurrayShifty Boswell
Jonathon MorrisAdrian Boswell
Deborah GrantLeonora Campbell
Kenneth WallerGrandad
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
