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
Rumpole of the Bailey is available to stream on Britbox and Britbox (Via Amazon Prime) in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
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 a business man who is accused of trying to murder his partner. After a squabble with 'She Who Must Be Obeyed', Rumpole finally leaves home - but Hilda doesn't seem to miss him very much...
Directed by Roger BamfordWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Richard Murdoch, Jonathan Coy, Maurice Denham, Lucy Speed, David Waller, William Simons, Robin Sachs
Episode 2
Yet another of the Timsons needs Rumpole's services as an advocate, this time to answer charges of fencing stolen liquor. Rumpole accepts Ms Liz Probert - a radical left-wing activist - as a pupil, though not without certain misgivings.
Directed by Roger BamfordWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Robin Bailey, Richard Murdoch, Jonathan Coy, Denys Graham, Phyllida Law, Marc Sinden, Stephen Greif
Episode 3
Rumpole defends an elderly woman charged under the Official Secrets Act - she is claimed to have have leaked (so to speak) information revealing excessive British government expenditure on tea.
Directed by Rodney BennettWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Richard Murdoch, Jonathan Coy, Peter Cellier, Judy Cornwell, Ivor Roberts, Paul Daneman, Donald Pickering
Episode 4
Rumpole defends a man charged with running massage parlours as brothels, and his former colleague in chambers Mr Justice Featherstone finds himself in an embarrassing position. The prospect of appointment as a Judge is dangled in front of Rumpole - and it is suggested that he might wish to handle the defense of his present case with suitable discretion, so to speak... The troublesome Heathstoke is working to move number 3 Equity Court into the twentieth century and tries to oust both Rumpole and Henry, the chambers clerk.
Directed by Donald McWhinnieWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Richard Murdoch, Jonathan Coy, Denys Graham, Kenneth Cope, Hugh Walters, Geoffrey Bayldon, Peter Bowles
Episode 5
Rumpole travels to West Germany to defend a British soldier facing a court-martial charged with the murder of his sergeant.
Directed by Martyn FriendWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Peter Jones, Dominic Jephcott, Denys Hawthorne, Robert East, Moray Watson, David Rolfe, Neil Stacy, Katherine Stark
Episode 6
The Timsons are in trouble again, and in need of the services of their favourite 'brief'. The old firm is back in business, but as he unravels the mystery of who carried the gun in a bungled robbery Rumpole is unaccountably wearying of it all. After investing with his turf accountant on a valuable four-horse accumulator, Rumpole makes up his mind that it's time to hang up his wig for the last time - but not before telling a few home truths to his old adversary, Mr Justice 'Mad Bull' Bullingham. Meanwhile, the gods have ideas of their own. Hearthstoke is still giving Henry and Dianne a rough time and he even contrives to infuriate Phyllida.
Directed by Rodney BennettWritten by John MortimerGuest stars Julian Curry, Richard Murdoch, Jonathan Coy, Bill Fraser, Maureen Darbyshire, Patricia Hodge, Eric Dodson, Samantha Bond
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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