Dancing on the Edge poster

TV series

Dancing on the Edge

20131 season6.7 / 10

An explosive 1930s drama following a jazz band in London at a time of huge change.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Dancing on the Edge is available to stream on Shout! Factory TV (Via Amazon Prime), Fandango at Home Free, Hoopla, Plex, Shout! Factory TV, and The Roku Channel in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

An explosive 1930s drama following a jazz band in London at a time of huge change.

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

Episode 1

1h 30m5.6 / 10

Music journalist Stanley Mitchell befriends The Louis Lester Band and helps its rise to fame from playing in a basement jazz club to the illustrious Imperial Hotel. At first, the band is treated with hostility by the hotel's elderly audience, most of whom have never heard jazz music nor seen black musicians before. However, one table of young aristocrats love their new music and invite them to play at a garden party.

Episode credits

Directed by Stephen PoliakoffWritten by Stephen PoliakoffGuest stars Miles Richardson, Daniel Coonan, Sam Troughton, Allan Corduner, Jenna Coleman, Jamie Crew, Caroline Quentin, Ariyon Bakare

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Episode 2

Episode 2

1h5.7 / 10

The Louis Lester Band has yet to reach the fame it so desires, and is stuck playing children's birthdayparties at the Imperial Ballroom. Louis is frustrated. However, the band is introduced to wealthy recluse Lady Lavinia Cremone and she may be able to change its fortunes.

Episode credits

Directed by Stephen PoliakoffWritten by Stephen PoliakoffGuest stars Miles Richardson, Sam Troughton, Ruth Gemmell, Joanna Brookes, Allan Corduner, Jamie Crew, Caroline Quentin, Janet Montgomery

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Episode 3

Episode 3

1h7.0 / 10

Louis is interviewed by police about events on the night of Jessie's attack, telling them he saw Julian when he should have been on a train to Paris. The band are unsettled when a table of racist Germans walks out during a performance at the Imperial Hotel's Christmas Lunch, but Stanley later engineers a fitting revenge. Lady Cremone host a New Year's Eve party on her estate and everybody is surprised when Julian turns up, announcing he has been in France exploring a new business idea.

Episode credits

Directed by Stephen PoliakoffWritten by Stephen PoliakoffGuest stars Miles Richardson, Sam Hoare, Gerard Horan, Jane Asher, David Dawson, Kirsty Oswald, Jack Farthing, Allan Corduner

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Episode 4

Episode 4

1h5.3 / 10

After the band play at the funeral and Mr Masterson holds a wake, the police intrerrupt Louis and Sarah in her bedroom. He is subjected to intense questioning at the police station, which results in himbecoming confused about what he saw on the night of the murder.

Episode credits

Directed by Stephen PoliakoffWritten by Stephen PoliakoffGuest stars Miles Richardson, Sam Hoare, Calvin A. Dean, Gerard Horan, Jane Asher, David Dawson, Isabella Blake-Thomas, Allan Corduner

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Episode 5

Episode 5

1h 30m7.2 / 10finale

Louis can no longer hide out at the Music Express Office so Stanley takes him to a suburban flat to escape the manhunt. He is to wait until nightfall, whilst Stanley goes to find his passport as they plan hisescape out of the country. Stanley returns to the Imperial Hotel, to find that it's reputation has been badly affected by the murder there. Masterson takes over the new Music Express magazine, and surprises Stanley by announcing he has offered a large reward for the capture of Louis Lester.

Episode credits

Directed by Stephen PoliakoffWritten by Stephen PoliakoffGuest stars Miles Richardson, Sam Hoare, Calvin A. Dean, Gerard Horan, Jane Asher, Carla Mendonça, David Dawson, Isabella Blake-Thomas

Where to watch Dancing on the Edge

Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about Dancing on the Edge

Cast

Chiwetel EjioforLouis Lester
Matthew GoodeStanley Mitchell
Wunmi MosakuCarla
Paul DixonNazi Colonel
Joanna VanderhamPamela
Miles RichardsonHarry Thornton
Sam TroughtonPrince of Wales
Sam HoareEric

Credits

Created by
Stephen Poliakoff
Written by
Stephen Poliakoff

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Miniseries
Episodes
5
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • BBC TwoUnited Kingdom
  • Lipsync ProductionsUnited Kingdom
  • Playground EntertainmentUnited States
  • Endgame EntertainmentUnited States
  • Creative EnglandUnited Kingdom
  • Ruby Film and Television

Themes

1930sjazzlondon, englandminiseriesperiod drama