TV series
A British television anthology of stories, often with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, and a twist at the end. With early episodes written and presented by Roald Dahl, the series featured a plethora of big name guest stars.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Tales of the Unexpected is available to stream on Shout! Factory TV (Via Amazon Prime), Shout! Factory TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
A British television anthology of stories, often with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, and a twist at the end. With early episodes written and presented by Roald Dahl, the series featured a plethora of big name guest stars.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Mabel’s baby is sick and her bee obsessed husband thinks he has found a remedy. Will he get the baby buzzing back to health?
Directed by Herbert WiseWritten by Robin Chapman, Roald DahlGuest stars Timothy West, Susan George, Andrew Ray
Episode 2
An old street beggar, a former tattooist, was a friend of the famous artist, Soutine. On his back, he has a tattoo by the artist, which is now priceless.
Directed by Herbert WiseGuest stars Derek Jacobi, Lucy Gutteridge, Boris Isarov, Donald Pickering, Teris Hebrew
Episode 3
A man starts to suffer when he becomes haunted by the memory of the brutal treatment he received in his childhood.
Directed by Claude WhathamWritten by Robin Chapman, Roald DahlGuest stars Anthony Steel, Jonathan Scott-Taylor, John Mills, Paul Spurrier, Anthony Woodruff, Colin Thomas, Guy Humphries, Clifford Abrahams
Episode 4
When a driver picks up a hitch-hiker in his car, his journey turns into a thrilling ride.
Directed by Alastair ReidWritten by Robin Chapman, Roald DahlGuest stars John Forgeham, Rod Taylor, Cyril Cusack
Episode 5
A poisonous snake keeps a teacher prisoner in India. How can he escape from its evil glare?
Directed by Graham EvansWritten by Robin Chapman, Roald DahlGuest stars Saeed Jaffrey, Andrew Ray, Anthony Steel, Judy Geeson
Episode 6
The husband of a fat, greedy woman has a clever plan to get rid of her - but the plan is flawed.
Directed by John GorrieWritten by Denis Cannan, Robert BlochGuest stars Miriam Margolyes, Geoffrey Bayldon, Sheila Gish, Anthony Roye, Peter van Dissel, Katie Flower, Jean Kitson, Nigel Caliburn
Episode 7
A dinner party takes a surprising turn when one pretentious guest is challenged to a wine tasting contest.
Directed by Alastair ReidWritten by Ronald Harwood, Roald DahlGuest stars William Hootkins, Beth Porter, Ron Moody, Debbie Farrington, Antony Carrick, Mercia Glossop, Gabrielle Blunt, Graham Bell
Episode 8
When Pamela and Arthur invite a young couple over for the weekend, things take a surprising turn.
Directed by Herbert WiseWritten by Ronald Harwood, Roald DahlGuest stars Lisa Eichhorn, Elaine Stritch, Shane Rimmer, Douglas Lambert
Episode 9
George has problems with female attention, but when a beautiful woman joins his congregation things are set to change.
Directed by Graham EvansWritten by Robin Chapman, Roald DahlGuest stars Margaretta Scott, Joan Collins, John Alderton, Lally Bowers, Ann Beach, Jacob Witkin, Grant Bardsley, John Biggerstaff
Episode 10
An art collector finds himself drawn into an unusual struggle with two beautiful women.
Directed by Alan GibsonWritten by Ronald Harwood, Roald DahlGuest stars Peter Cellier, Gloria Grahame, Joseph Cotten, John Bennett, Maureen O'Brien
Episode 11
A con man arrives in town and starts his scam.
Directed by Claude WhathamWritten by Ronald Harwood, Roald DahlGuest stars Jennifer Hilary, John Carson, Michael Gambon, John Mills, John Rees, Michael Sheard
Episode 12
A pregnant lady is worried that she may miscarry for the fourth time. Can her doctor reassure her?
Directed by Herbert WiseWritten by Ronald Harwood, Roald DahlGuest stars Helmut Griem, Zhivila Roche, Hana Maria Pravda, Alastair Llewellyn, Graham Seed, Toby Waldock
Episode 13
A jaded businessman sells his company and attempts to change his life for the better by buying a strange piano.
Directed by John GorrieWritten by Roald Dahl, Kevin Goldstein-JacksonGuest stars Jack Weston, Anna Massey, Alan Rowe, Paul Bacon, Paul Greenhalgh, Allan Corduner
Episode 14
A philandering physician with an obsession for orchids cultivates a deadly plot to see off his wife.
Written by Denis Cannan, John CollierGuest stars Richard Johnson, Siân Phillips, Avril Elgar, Artro Morris, Cyril Luckham, Lynne Ross, Mark Kenyon, Andrew Lebas
Episode 15
A man married three times might be lucky for the fourth time when he meets a new interest.
Directed by John GorrieWritten by Robin Chapman, Stanley EllinGuest stars Robert Lang, Elizabeth Spriggs, Cyril Luckham, Christopher Bramwell, Nigel Caliburn
Episode 16
A young, unemployed seaman kills someone in a botched robbery. Convinced the police will trace the knife used back to him, he turns to his friend, Diane, for help.
Directed by Claude WhathamWritten by Denis CannanGuest stars Peter Firth
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
Watch trailerTales Of The Unexpected (1979 ITV TV Series) Trailer #talesoftheunexpected #horror #itv
Roald DahlSelf - Introduced By
Jack WestonWilliam Botibol
Gloria GrahameOlivia
Roy MarsdenGerald Overton
Suzanne DanielleMilly
Simon CadellCo-Pilot
Jonathan DuttineMax
Paul HerzbergHenri
ITV1United Kingdom
ITVUnited Kingdom
Anglia TelevisionUnited KingdomMore shows like Tales of the Unexpected.
