Steptoe and Son poster

TV series

Steptoe and Son

1962NR8 seasons7.8 / 10

Steptoe and Son is a British sitcom written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson about a father and son played by Wilfred Brambell and Harry H. Corbett who deal in selling used items. They live on Oil Drum Lane, a fictional street in Shepherd's Bush, London. Four series were broadcast by the BBC from 1962 to 1965, followed by a second run from 1970 to 1974. Its theme tune, "Old Ned", was composed by Ron Grainer. The series was voted 15th in a 2004 BBC poll to find Britain's Best Sitcom. It was remade in the US as Sanford and Son, in Sweden as Albert & Herbert and in the Netherlands as Stiefbeen en zoon. In 1972 a movie adaptation of the series, Steptoe and Son, was released in cinemas, with a second Steptoe and Son Ride Again in 1973.

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Steptoe and Son premiered January 5, 1962. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

Synopsis

Steptoe and Son is a British sitcom written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson about a father and son played by Wilfred Brambell and Harry H. Corbett who deal in selling used items. They live on Oil Drum Lane, a fictional street in Shepherd's Bush, London. Four series were broadcast by the BBC from 1962 to 1965, followed by a second run from 1970 to 1974. Its theme tune, "Old Ned", was composed by Ron Grainer. The series was voted 15th in a 2004 BBC poll to find Britain's Best Sitcom. It was remade in the US as Sanford and Son, in Sweden as Albert & Herbert and in the Netherlands as Stiefbeen en zoon. In 1972 a movie adaptation of the series, Steptoe and Son, was released in cinemas, with a second Steptoe and Son Ride Again in 1973.

Season 1 episodes

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

Episode 1

The Offer

30m7.0 / 10

The very first episode of what was to become an all time classic comedy series. In this episode that introduces the characters Harold is very unhappy working as a rag and bone man, and wants to leave for a better job. Albert, his father, seeing his workforce about to leave, conspires to get him to stay.

Where to watch Steptoe and Son

Episode 2

The Bird

30m8.0 / 10

Harold is going out every night, so Albert suspects that he must being seeing a girl. Determined to put a stop to the romance, he gets Harold to invite the girl back to the house for dinner. Meanwhile, Albert puts the clocks forward so when she fails to show up at the right time, Harold thinks she has stood him up.

Episode credits

Guest stars Valerie Bell

Where to watch Steptoe and Son

Episode 3

The Piano

30m8.0 / 10

Harold is offered a piano, providing he moves it himself. He gets Albert to help, only to find out that it is on the top floor of a block of flats.

Episode credits

Guest stars Brian Oulton, Roger Avon

Where to watch Steptoe and Son

Episode 4

The Economist

30m8.0 / 10

Harold tries to teach Albert about the economics of running a business. He then ends up buying 400 sets of false teeth hoping to make a killing. When they don't sell, he takes their last £10.00 and tries again, this time bringing home 400 World War 2 gas masks.

Episode credits

Guest stars Frank Thornton

Where to watch Steptoe and Son

Episode 5

The Diploma

30m8.0 / 10

Harold decides to get out of the rag and bone trade and get a diploma in TV repair, only for Albert to prove that he knows more about it than him.

Episode credits

Guest stars Trevor maskell

Where to watch Steptoe and Son

Episode 6

The Holiday

30m7.0 / 10finale

Harold has holiday plans, and they don't involve Albert or the annual trip to Bognor Regis; Albert attempts to change his son's mind by using emotional blackmail.

Episode credits

Guest stars Colin Gordon, Charlie Bird

Where to watch Steptoe and Son

Episode information updated Jul 22, 2026

More about Steptoe and Son

Cast

Harry H. CorbettHarold Steptoe
Wilfrid BrambellAlbert Steptoe
Leonard RossiterJohnny Spooner
George BettonCharlie
Joan NewellEmma Marshall
Frank ThorntonBarman
Charlie BirdThe Rock Seller (uncredited)
Stan SimmonsRag 'n' Bone Man (uncredited)

Credits

Created by
Ray Galton, Alan Simpson
Written by
Ray Galton, Alan Simpson

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
55
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • BBC OneUnited Kingdom

Themes

businessdark comedyfatherlove-hate relationshipmelancholysitcomsonworking class