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
Two archaeologists working in Jordan get more than they bargained for when they decide to smuggle the statue of a mysterious woman over the border to Israel.
Directed by Barry DavisWritten by Julian Bond, Robert Edmond AlterGuest stars Christopher Blake, Nigel Havers, Richard Johnson, Vic Tablian, Albert Moses, Tony Alleff
Episode 2
An old lady catches Rex Tobin, a young burglar who was planning to rob her, and makes friends with him. But what is she really up to?
Directed by Philip DudleyWritten by Robin Chapman, Donald HonigGuest stars Lesley Goldie, Patrick Field, Siobhán McKenna, Forbes Collins, Graham Weston, Kenneth Hadley, Roger Evans
Episode 3
When David rescues a giant turtle, it looks as though he's found a new friend, but there could be more to his pet than meets the eye.
Directed by Alan GibsonWritten by Robin Chapman, Roald DahlGuest stars William Hootkins, Vivien Heilbron, Oscar James, John Nettleton, Paul Spurrier, David Buck, Stuart Whitman, Robert Arden
Episode 4
Desperate to win the affections of his boss’s daughter, Arthur accepts the help of his friend Charlie. But is he ready to count the true cost of love?
Directed by John BruceWritten by Denis Cannan, Stanley EllinGuest stars Michael Kitchen, Jeremy Clyde, Brewster Mason, Rachel Kempson, Judi Bowker
Episode 5
Henpecked Arthur decides to get rid of his demanding wife once and for all, so long as he gets her money. Unfortunately, his wife has a few secrets of her own.
Directed by Bert SalzmanWritten by Henry Slesar, Bert SalzmanGuest stars Anthony Franciosa, Shirley Knight, Deborah Geffner, Annie McGreevey, Raymond Thorne, Imogene Bliss, Ian Martin
Episode 6
Property tycoon Gerry Williams is married to the beautiful but unhappy Ellen, and somewhere the marriage has gone terribly wrong. Then an assassin is hired to kill Gerry, and he makes the mistake of getting too friendly with his target.
Directed by John JacobsWritten by Jack Ritchie, Pat HoddinottGuest stars Eli Wallach, Caroline Langrishe, Anthony Pullen Shaw, Godfrey Talbot, Bridget McConnell
Episode 7
A botanist has invented a machine that translates the sound of plants into speech. What he hears gives him a shock.
Directed by John GorrieWritten by Ronald Harwood, Roald DahlGuest stars Harry Andrews, James Warwick, Margery Mason
Episode 8
David is accused of murder when his wife Irene vanishes. Her promiscuous lifestyle made her the talk of the town, but the gossip has escalated.
Directed by John GorrieWritten by John Collier, Robin ChapmanGuest stars Warren Clarke, Colin Blakely, Keith Drinkel, Cheryl Hall, Brian Osborne
Episode 9
Harry Flock has had a temporary promotion as acting manager of a branch bank. He is honest and meticulous to a fault, but in danger of losing his job when head office gets anonymous complaints about alleged embezzlements. His accounts are immaculate - in fact, they seem too good to be true.
Directed by Ray DantonWritten by David Scott Milton, Ferenc MolnárGuest stars Deborah Harmon, Gary Burghoff, Logan Ramsey, William Boyett, Edward Grover, Robert Casper, Penelope Gillette, Damian London
Episode 10
Kyros plans on giving his wife a priceless bottle of wine for their anniversary, but he has no intention of drinking to her health.
Directed by John GorrieWritten by Denis Cannan, Stanley EllinGuest stars Gary Bond, Anthony Quayle, Nigel Hawthorne, Neville Phillips, Lynette Davies, Carlos Douglas, Pat Lewis, Claude Le Saché
Episode 11
Madame Lagrue runs a smart but commercial art gallery in Montmartre, Paris, getting rich at the expense of struggling artists. Then one of her victims falls in love with Fatima, an artist's model, and Lagrue is up against someone even more cunning than she is.
Directed by Alan GibsonWritten by Robin Chapman, Stanley EllinGuest stars Micheline Presle, Celia Gregory, Robert H. Thomson, Gérard Lartigau, Alan Gifford, Helen Horton
Episode 12
The very rich Joe Brisson is a self-made man with a number of enemies - including Lisa, his elegant but dangerously dissatisfied wife.
Directed by John JacobsWritten by Robin ChapmanGuest stars Telly Savalas, Rita Gam, Belinda Mayne, Ramsay Williams, Linda Liles, Douglas Lambert
Episode 13
Arthur and Margaret are a quiet couple. When she inherits £50,000, he reluctantly agrees to gamble it all on a dubious property deal.
Directed by Alan GibsonWritten by Bill Pronzini, Chaim BermantGuest stars Peter Copley, Frank Finlay, Deryck Guyler, Heather Sears, Jo Rowbottom, Andrew Burt, Kevin Brennan, Allan Mitchell
Episode 14
Nell and Emma are old school friends who are reunited after years apart. However, things quickly turn sour.
Directed by Graham EvansWritten by Robin Chapman, Dana LyonGuest stars Joan Greenwood, Rachel Kempson, Nat Jackley, Aaron Shirley, Patricia Browning
Episode 15
Jack and Betsy are lovers. That is until Jack decides to go halfway across the world to be with his new Australian girlfriend. But Betsy isn't going to make it easy.
Written by Ross Thomas, Ruth RendellGuest stars John Beck, Joanna Pettet, Bill La Voie
Episode 16
The casino offers Roger an escape from his domineering aunt. He has a love for both gambling and a pretty hostess, but the casino boss has a score to settle.
Directed by Alan GibsonWritten by Denis Cannan, Jack RitchieGuest stars Elaine Paige, Elizabeth Spriggs, Andrew Ray, Martin Benson, Forbes Collins, Annie Leon, Sarah Webb, Andrew MacLachlan
Episode 17
A hijacker on an aeroplane takes a stewardess hostage before demanding a million dollars and a parachute. Will the captain give in to his demands?
Directed by Herbert WiseWritten by Denis Cannan, Robert L. FishGuest stars Suzanne Danielle, Denis Quilley, Simon Cadell, Sean Barrett, Douglas Lambert, Helen Horton, John Graham, William Merrow
Episode information updated Jul 24, 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.
