The Storyteller poster

TV series

The Storyteller

1988TV-Y71 season8.2 / 10

Magical and haunting tales for only the bravest of children

The Storyteller, aided by his cynical dog, narrates classic folk tales, fables, and legends.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

The Storyteller is available to stream on Peacock, Peacock Premium, Prime Video, Shout! Factory TV (Via Amazon Prime), Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, The Roku Channel, Xumo Play, and YouTube in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

The Storyteller, aided by his cynical dog, narrates classic folk tales, fables, and legends.

Season 1 episodes

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

Episode 1

The Soldier and Death

Returning from war, a young soldier trades his last biscuit for a magical sack... into which anything summoned will enter! Trapping devils and even death itself, the soldier brings peace to his country. But death soon proves a greater enemy captured than free! From an early Russian folk tale.

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Episode 2

Fearnot

Fearnot is a young man who is incapapble of feeling fear. He leaves his home and his true love to embark on a vast journey to experience the shudder of fear. No monster or creature that he meets, however horrible or terrifying, makes him afraid. It is only upon return that he learns that true fear exists in the places which are closest to us. From an early German folk tale.

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Episode 3

The Luck Child

Upon news of the birth of a Luck child - a peasant boy predicted by wise man to one day wear the crown - the cruel-hearted king seeks out the boy, pretending to take him under his terrible wing. Will luck indeed play a part in our hero's final destiny? From an early Russian folk tale.

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Episode 4

A Story Short

The storyteller recalls his days of servitude to the king for bamboozling the royal cook out of a free meal. A story a day was his punishment - or else he'll boil in the cook's cauldron of oil! All goes well until the final day... when he can't think of a story to save his life! From an early Celtic folk tale.

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Episode 5

Hans My Hedgehog

Hans, a hedgehog-boy, feels ostracized in his town so he runs away. Twenty years later, Hans helps a king lost in the woods find his way back to his kingdom. The king rewards Hans with the first thing that the king will see when he re-enters his kingdom. But when the first thing he sees turns out to be his beautiful daughter, will despair take hold or can love prevail? From an early German folk tale.

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Episode 6

The Three Ravens

After using her powers to charm the widowed king into marrying her, an evil witch sees his children standing in the way of her power. She uncovers the children’s secret hiding place and turns the three princes into ravens. The ravens tell the princess she cannot speak a word for three years, three months and three days or they will remain forever as birds. From an early German folk tale.

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Episode 7

Sapsorrow

Upon fleeing her kingdom to escape an arranged marriage, the lovely Princess Sapsorrow toils in the kitchen of a faraway palace, disguised as an ugly hag. Her masquerade is no ball, as Sapsorrow has fallen in love with a prince, who sees her only as a peasant!

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Episode 8

The Heartless Giant

A young prince is tricked into helping a heartless giants escape from the king’s dungeon. The evil giant unleashes terror across the land and those who go off to fight him never return. The young prince becomes the servant of the giant and tries to find where the giant’s heart is hidden. But even if he were able to get the heart, can all be made right once more? From an early German folk tale.

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Episode 9

The True Bride

A girl who was adopted by an abusive troll finally is freed with the help of a white lion. When her betrothed does not return after a trip, the girl is grief-stricken to learn that the troll's sister had put a spell on him and plans to marry him. The white lion appears again and helps the girl by giving her three magical gifts. From an early German folk tale.

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Episode information updated Jul 22, 2026

More about The Storyteller

Cast

John HurtThe Storyteller
Miranda RichardsonWitch
Abigail CruttendenPrincess
Jane HorrocksAnja
Gabrielle AnwarLidia
Gemma JonesQueen
Bob PeckSoldier
Steven MackintoshLucky

Credits

Created by
Jim Henson
Written by
Anthony Minghella, Anthony Minghella

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
9
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • NBCUnited States
  • Channel 4United Kingdom
  • The Jim Henson CompanyUnited States
  • TVSUnited Kingdom

Themes

anthologyfairy talefamily