The BBC’s Play for Today stands as a monument to British television drama, a series that from 1970 to 1984, consistently delivered challenging and often uncomfortable stories directly into living rooms across the UK. With each self-contained episode, the anthology format allowed writers and directors to experiment with form and content, pushing boundaries of what was acceptable on screen.
Whether focusing on the mores of aspirational middle-class life, as in Mike Leigh’s “Abigail’s Party” (starring Alison Steadman as Beverly), or exploring the personal and political tensions of the era in stories like “The Legion Hall Bombing”, Play for Today became a crucial space for social commentary, consistently asking difficult questions about British society. The series wasn’t afraid to tackle controversial subjects, and its ability to capture the raw nerve of the times cemented its place in TV history. It gave a platform to new voices, creating a breeding ground for some of Britain’s most significant talents in both writing and acting, and offering a time capsule of the era’s anxieties and aspirations.
Play for Today wasn’t always a comfortable watch, and that’s precisely where its power lies. The series made no attempt to sugarcoat the realities of British life, instead choosing to present it with brutal honesty. For every satirical gem like Dennis Potter’s “Blue Remembered Hills,” which used adult actors to portray children in wartime, there was a stark portrayal of domestic dysfunction, as seen in “Just Another Saturday” by Peter McDougall. The programme never shied away from bleak narratives, often leaving viewers to grapple with difficult truths without easy answers.
While some episodes have dated, the best of Play for Today still resonate, particularly when considering the themes of social inequality and personal alienation. It’s a reminder of a time when television drama dared to be genuinely provocative and, for better or worse, held up a mirror to the nation, forcing a reflection on both the good and the bad. Steadman’s performance in “Abigail’s Party” remains a landmark of television acting, and Potter’s experimental style was truly ahead of its time. This wasn’t TV for escapism, this was TV for confrontation and reflection.
Show name aired on BBC.
Years ran: 1970-1984
Number of Episodes: 305
