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
Fred Pearson, a Vietnam veteran, is a broken man after years of punishment from his sergeant. One day, he walks into a bar and sees the sergeant, still very much the arrogant bully he always was.
Directed by Leo PennWritten by Henry Slesar, David Scott MiltonGuest stars George Peppard, Jenny O'Hara, Kevin Dobson, Ted Gehring, Vince Howard, Tom Finnegan
Episode 2
Shaw, the owner of a newspaper, is controlling and very rich. His wife is content with the money he provides, but is having an affair. When he finds out, he decides to act.
Directed by Graham WilliamsWritten by Peter Ransley, Julian SymonsGuest stars Michael Jayston, Andrew Ray, Lynette Davies, Clifford Parrish, Mark Jax, Christopher Reich
Episode 3
Three men are being blackmailed by a woman for money. One day she is found murdered and the three worry that they will be suspected.
Directed by Bert SalzmanWritten by Bert Salzman, Talmage PowellGuest stars Lois Smith, Malachy McCourt, Tom Smothers, Patrick O'Neal, Larry Keith, Joanne Lara, Barbara Bolton
Episode 4
A writer is being hounded by the feminist movement over his books. If only he was at home with his wife everything would be all right. Wouldn't it?
Directed by William SlaterWritten by Wolf Mankowitz, Antonia FraserGuest stars Simon Cadell, Kate Harper, Susannah Fellows, Sue Vanner, Ian Tyler, Bill Bailey, Barbara Rosenblat
Episode 5
A driver picks up a hitchhiker. They hear on the radio that a serial killer is on the loose, nicknamed Willow the Wisp, and the description matches that of the passenger.
Directed by Leo PennWritten by Ross Thomas, Jack RitchieGuest stars Brad Dourif, Will Hare, Dennis Christopher, Kathleen Doyle, Julie Burton, Miriam Byrd-Nethery
Episode 6
Walter is a vain writer and publisher with a wife and a mistress, based in London, and he likes to show off. He stages a story writing competition, with a £5,000 prize, to find the plot for a perfect murder.
Directed by Peter HammondWritten by Gerald Savory, Tony WilmotGuest stars Jim Norton, Celia Gregory, Jane Asher, Patrick Mower, Forbes Collins, Panos Alexander
Episode 7
After killing her husband to be with her young lover, an insecure woman is drawn in by a flyer for an anti-ageing process known as the Gift of Beauty.
Directed by Bert SalzmanWritten by Bert Salzman, Joseph DoughertyGuest stars Randall Edwards, Carol Lynley, MacKenzie Allen, Matthew Leddick, George Hall, Rick Crom, Carol Schindler
Episode 8
George Princey has a high standing in the community, and when his daughter kills a man, he endeavours to cover it up to prevent a scandal.
Directed by Norman LloydWritten by John CollierGuest stars Ed Begley Jr., Fritz Weaver, Mary Sinclair, Charles Hallahan, Sydney Swire, Rita Gomez
Episode 9
Olivia starts a relationship with a younger man on the basis that she has killed her husband and gained his fortune. Her lover, however, still sees himself as a free agent and has an affair with another woman.
Directed by Bert SalzmanWritten by Bert Salzman, Patricia HighsmithGuest stars Gloria Grahame, Robert Morse, Lisa Dunsheath, Peter Murphy, George Todisco, Linda Gelman, Pedro Yi Fung, Christopher Oyen
Episode 10
Jack and Edna's pet parrot dies after laying an unusually large egg. On hatching, it reveals an aggressive black-feathered bird.
Directed by Ray DantonWritten by Ross Thomas, John CollierGuest stars Sondra Locke, Frank Converse, Charles Hallahan
Episode 11
When a clothing manufacturer finds himself on the verge of bankruptcy, he ponders the idea of murdering his wife for the insurance money.
Directed by John PeyserWritten by Henry Slesar, David Scott MiltonGuest stars Susan Strasberg, Robert Loggia, Tom Smothers, Wendy Austin, Barry Cahill, Dave Rensil
Episode 12
Steve and Jane are con artists who gain access to people's homes claiming to be doing research into polish. But eventually, they meet their match.
Directed by Peter DuffellWritten by Denis Cannan, Tony WilmotGuest stars Lynsey Baxter, Cyril Cusack, Andrew Ray, Tamara Ustinov, John Hug, Jacqueline Hill, Ian Flintoff, Jason Carter
Episode 13
James has walked out on his wife, who still loves him. His lawyer advises him that getting a divorce may be difficult unless he can catch her being unfaithful. With not much hope, he hires a private detective.
Directed by John JacobsWritten by Roy Russell, Nicholas MonsarratGuest stars John Castle, Roger Rees, Jim Norton, Meg Davies, Annamaria Macchi, Keith Edwards, Wilfred Grove
Episode 14
When a married politician falls in love with a woman at a party, things soon go wrong and his entire career and reputation are put in jeopardy.
Directed by Peter HammondWritten by Robin ChapmanGuest stars Roy Marsden, Kate Harper, Amanda Boxer, Mark Lewis, Forbes Collins, Toby Scopes, Diana Goodman, Evie Garratt
Episode 15
When a young man climbs through the window of a Connecticut hunting lodge, he emerges on the other side in a strange new world.
Directed by Christopher LukasWritten by David Trainer, Hector Hugh MunroGuest stars Dina Merrill, Valerie Mahaffey, Richard Dow, Richard Marr, Michael Galloway, Michael Conforti
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.
