A long-running strand of original standalone dramas, broadcast on weekday afternoons.
This anthology series presented a different story and cast each day. The plays covered a wide range of subjects, though most were contemporary dramas grounded in everyday life. Notable stories included “Turkish Delight,” in which Carol Haye (Denise Welch), a lonely woman from Newcastle, finds a holiday romance in Turkey; “Viva Las Blackpool,” where a group of bingo-loving friends have their loyalty tested by a big win; “The Last Will And Testament Of Billy Two-Sheds,” a story of a dying man (James Bolam) attempting to reconcile with his estranged daughter (Jodie Whittaker); and “Johnny Shakespeare,” which followed an illiterate taxi driver (James Cartwright) who discovers a remarkable talent for writing verse.
A major BBC Birmingham commission, The Afternoon Play revived the tradition of the single play, a format that had largely vanished from television schedules. By placing these original dramas in a weekday daytime slot, the BBC created a significant platform for new and established writers, directors, and actors outside the pressures of peak-time. The series was defined by its variety, with its tone shifting from light domestic comedy to sharp social commentary and serious drama. It proved a durable and popular fixture for five seasons, demonstrating a consistent commitment to scripted drama and regional production.
Broadcast: BBC One, 25 Episodes, 27 January 2003 – 26 January 2007
Executive Producers: Mal Young, Serena Cullen, Will Trotter, Ben Bickerton
Producers: Carson Black, Will Trotter, Sam Hill
Notable Guest Cast: Denise Welch, Glynis Barber, Ray Burdis, June Whitfield, Paula Wilcox, Reece Dinsdale, James Bolam, Jodie Whittaker, Robson Green, Tina Hobley, James Cartwright, Greta Scacchi, Brian Capron, Diana Kent
