TV series
TV's Best Loved Barrister
Rumpole of the Bailey is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It stars Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an aging London barrister who defends any and all clients, and has been spun off into a series of short stories, novels, and radio programmes.
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Checked Jul 22, 2026
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Rumpole of the Bailey is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It stars Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an aging London barrister who defends any and all clients, and has been spun off into a series of short stories, novels, and radio programmes.
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Episode 1
Rumpole defends Harold Brittling, an unsuccessful artist who has been charged with faking a major painting by the late Septimus Craig. But Brittling is remarkably relaxed about the case and seems to have an agenda of his own.
Directed by Robert KnightsWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Emlyn Williams, Vernon Dobtcheff, Frances White, Brenda Blethyn, Sylvia Coleridge, Peter Bowles, Joanna Van Gyseghem
Episode 2
Rumpole flies to Neranga, in Africa, to defend David Mazenze (his former law pupil) on a charge of murder. Rumpole meets with politcs, tribal hatred, and confusion - and his client seems to have no credible alibi to offer for the time of the murder.
Directed by Donald McWhinnieWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Jonathan Coy, Denys Graham, Hugh Quarshie, Elizabeth Adare, Joseph Marcell, James Villiers, Olu Jacobs, Alex Tetteh-Lartey
Episode 3
Rumpole welcomes a new pupil, the beautiful Fiona Allways, and together they defend Mr and Mrs Napier-Lee, who are charged with blackmail and with running an immoral house. But the Napier-Lees are slow to defend themselves, anxious not to expose the lies of an old school friend.
Directed by Tony Dean SmithWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Peter Blythe, Richard Murdoch, Jonathan Coy, Denys Graham, Bill Fraser, Tenniel Evans, Dulcie Gray
Episode 4
Rumpole defends Tony Timson, who is accused of driving the getaway car for a bungled robbery by the Molloy gang - a gang whose relationship with the Timsons is about as warm as that between the Montagues and the Capulets. Meanwhile, Fiona Allways applies to join Rumpole's chambers at number 3, Equity Court, and this meets with opposition from an unexpected quarter - Phyllida.
Directed by Donald McWhinnieWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Peter Blythe, Richard Murdoch, Jonathan Coy, Denys Graham, Ray Brooks, Terence Budd, Maureen Darbyshire
Episode 5
Rumpole gets out into rural England when Fiona Allways persuades him to defend her sister Jennifer, charged with murdering her skirt-chasing husband.
Directed by Bill HaysWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Richard Murdoch, Jonathan Coy, Andrew Burt, Roland Culver, Joanna David, James Greene, Richard Aylen
Episode 6
Rumpole turns to his wife, Hilda, for help in getting a slippery solicitor to pay what he owes. Meanwhile, Rumpole is busy defending the owner of a caravan rental agency who is accused of fraud.
Directed by Stuart BurgeWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Peter Blythe, Richard Murdoch, Jonathan Coy, Denys Graham, Bill Fraser, Jim Norton, Terence Rigby
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Leo McKernHorace Rumpole
Robin BaileyMr. Justice Gerald Graves
Richard MurdochUncle Tom
Jonathan CoyHenry
Denys GrahamHoskins
Abigail McKernLiz Probert
Marion MathieHilda Rumpole
Peggy Thorpe-BatesHilda Rumpole
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