After Henry (TV series)
Encyclopedia
After Henry is a British
sitcom
that aired on ITV
from 1988 to 1992. Starring Prunella Scales
and Joan Sanderson
, it had started on BBC Radio 4 in 1985, finishing in 1989. It was written by Simon Brett
. After Henry was made for the ITV
network by Thames Television
.
The BBC was reluctant to produce After Henry for television, so in 1988 after the third radio series Thames Television
did so. The show was surprisingly popular, attracting over 14 million viewers. A second television series was shown during the same months as the fourth radio series with, in many cases, both radio and television episodes being broadcast on the same nights. The fourth television series was broadcast from July 1992, after the death of Joan Sanderson, who had died on 24 May.
, Henry. She lives in an often volatile family situation with her mother, Eleanor Prescott, and her daughter, eighteen-year-old Clare France, with both of whom she shares a house. After Henry's death, all three members of the family have to find a way to cope with each other as best they can.
Sarah often finds herself in the middle of things, usually figuratively, but always literally, given that she has her mother living upstairs and her daughter in the basement flat
. Eleanor is ruthlessly cunning and takes every opportunity to get one over on Sarah. Anything told to Eleanor will spread by word of mouth throughout an extensive network of the elderly of the area, or the "geriatric mafia". Clare is trying to be independent of her mother, though often has to come running back in times of crisis.
The relationships between the three women change constantly through each episode. Sometimes mother and daughter ally against grandmother, sometimes mother and grandmother go against daughter, but usually grandmother and granddaughter gang up on the long-suffering Sarah, whose one haven is Bygone Books, the remarkably unsuccessful second-hand bookshop where she works for Russell, who dispenses in turn sympathy and wisdom. Most of the time, Russell sees the women's relationships second-hand through Sarah, although he isn't opposed to taking the occasional more active role when necessary. In turn, Sarah can see some of Russell's difficulties of living with a gay
partner in 1980s London
suburb
ia, while at the same time seeing Russell's relationship as the one perfect marriage she knows.
The adaptation for television allowed more to be seen of some of the more minor characters in the radio series, with appearances by some who had appeared only by reputation on the radio. These included Eleanor's best friend and rival Vera Poling, and Valerie Brown on the pension counter's sister Mary. In the television adaptation, Sarah also gained an on-off partner in Sam Greenland.
Many of the exterior locations for the TV series were shot in the village of Thames Ditton
in Surrey
. Also Twickenham.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
that aired on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
from 1988 to 1992. Starring Prunella Scales
Prunella Scales
Prunella Scales CBE is an English actress, known for her role as Basil Fawlty's long-suffering wife in the British comedy Fawlty Towers and her award-nominated role as Queen Elizabeth II in the British film A Question of Attribution.-Career:Throughout her long career, Scales has usually been cast...
and Joan Sanderson
Joan Sanderson
Joan Sanderson was an English television and stage actress. During a long career she invariably played dragonish dowagers, stuck-up spinsters and suburban matrons.-Theatre:...
, it had started on BBC Radio 4 in 1985, finishing in 1989. It was written by Simon Brett
Simon Brett
Simon Brett is a prolific writer of whodunnits. The son of a chartered surveyor, he was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first-class honours degree in English...
. After Henry was made for the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network by Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
.
The BBC was reluctant to produce After Henry for television, so in 1988 after the third radio series Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
did so. The show was surprisingly popular, attracting over 14 million viewers. A second television series was shown during the same months as the fourth radio series with, in many cases, both radio and television episodes being broadcast on the same nights. The fourth television series was broadcast from July 1992, after the death of Joan Sanderson, who had died on 24 May.
Cast
- Prunella ScalesPrunella ScalesPrunella Scales CBE is an English actress, known for her role as Basil Fawlty's long-suffering wife in the British comedy Fawlty Towers and her award-nominated role as Queen Elizabeth II in the British film A Question of Attribution.-Career:Throughout her long career, Scales has usually been cast...
- Sarah France - Joan SandersonJoan SandersonJoan Sanderson was an English television and stage actress. During a long career she invariably played dragonish dowagers, stuck-up spinsters and suburban matrons.-Theatre:...
- Eleanor Prescott - Janine WoodJanine WoodJanine Wood is a British actress.She is perhaps best known for playing Clare France in the Thames TV sitcom After Henry .She is mother to William Miller, who played Oliver Twist....
- Clare France - Jonathan NewthJonathan NewthJonathan Newth is a British actor, best known for his performances in television.Credits include: Emergency Ward 10, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Ace of Wands, The Troubleshooters, Z-Cars, Callan, Van der Valk, The Brothers, Softly, Softly, Poldark, Doctor Who, Notorious Woman, Secret Army , The...
- Russell Bryant - Peggy Ann Wood - Vera Poling
- Anne Priestley - Mary (series 2)
- Edward de SouzaEdward de SouzaEdward James de Souza is a British character actor and graduate of RADA with ethnic Portuguese Indian and English origins.-Early life:...
- Sam Greenland (series 2 and 3)
Plot
Sarah France is the 42-year-old widow of a GPGeneral practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
, Henry. She lives in an often volatile family situation with her mother, Eleanor Prescott, and her daughter, eighteen-year-old Clare France, with both of whom she shares a house. After Henry's death, all three members of the family have to find a way to cope with each other as best they can.
Sarah often finds herself in the middle of things, usually figuratively, but always literally, given that she has her mother living upstairs and her daughter in the basement flat
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
. Eleanor is ruthlessly cunning and takes every opportunity to get one over on Sarah. Anything told to Eleanor will spread by word of mouth throughout an extensive network of the elderly of the area, or the "geriatric mafia". Clare is trying to be independent of her mother, though often has to come running back in times of crisis.
The relationships between the three women change constantly through each episode. Sometimes mother and daughter ally against grandmother, sometimes mother and grandmother go against daughter, but usually grandmother and granddaughter gang up on the long-suffering Sarah, whose one haven is Bygone Books, the remarkably unsuccessful second-hand bookshop where she works for Russell, who dispenses in turn sympathy and wisdom. Most of the time, Russell sees the women's relationships second-hand through Sarah, although he isn't opposed to taking the occasional more active role when necessary. In turn, Sarah can see some of Russell's difficulties of living with a gay
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
partner in 1980s London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
ia, while at the same time seeing Russell's relationship as the one perfect marriage she knows.
The adaptation for television allowed more to be seen of some of the more minor characters in the radio series, with appearances by some who had appeared only by reputation on the radio. These included Eleanor's best friend and rival Vera Poling, and Valerie Brown on the pension counter's sister Mary. In the television adaptation, Sarah also gained an on-off partner in Sam Greenland.
Many of the exterior locations for the TV series were shot in the village of Thames Ditton
Thames Ditton
Thames Ditton is a village in Surrey, England, bordering Greater London. It is situated 12.2 miles south-west of Charing Cross between the towns of Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton, Esher and East Molesey...
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. Also Twickenham.
Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | The Older Man | 4 January 1988 |
| 2 | Phone Calls | 11 January 1988 | |
| 3 | The Teapot | 18 January 1988 | |
| 4 | Security | 25 January 1988 | |
| 5 | Romantic Complications | 1 February 1988 | |
| 6 | The Birthday | 8 February 1988 | |
| Special | 1 | A Quiet Christmas | 26 December 1988 |
| 2 | 1 | Intellectual Aspirations | 10 January 1989 |
| 2 | Open Secrets | 17 January 1989 | |
| 3 | Memory Games | 24 January 1989 | |
| 4 | The Cold | 31 January 1989 | |
| 5 | Wedding Bells | 7 February 1989 | |
| 6 | Lines Of Communication | 28 February 1989 | |
| 7 | Gossip | 7 March 1989 | |
| 8 | Out On A Limb | 14 March 1989 | |
| 9 | Upstagers | 21 March 1989 | |
| 10 | Idle Speculation | 28 March 1989 | |
| 11 | Efficiency | 4 April 1989 | |
| 12 | Going Away | 11 April 1989 | |
| Special | 2 | A Week Of Sundays | 25 December 1989 |
| 3 | 1 | Mr Right | 23 January 1990 |
| 2 | Curiosity | 30 January 1990 | |
| 3 | Home Comforts | 6 February 1990 | |
| 4 | Relative Movement | 13 February 1990 | |
| 5 | The Dinner Party | 20 February 1990 | |
| 6 | Mr Fixit | 27 February 1990 | |
| 7 | Charity | 6 March 1990 | |
| 8 | The Mysterious Affair At Bygone Books | 13 March 1990 | |
| 9 | Party Politics | 20 March 1990 | |
| 10 | Unforeseen Circumstances | 27 March 1990 | |
| 11 | Family Album | 3 April 1990 | |
| 12 | Last Chances | 17 April 1990 | |
| 4 | 1 | Dependent Relatives | 20 July 1992 |
| 2 | Poor Relations | 27 July 1992 | |
| 3 | A Fully Extended Family | 3 August 1992 | |
| 4 | Yes And No | 10 August 1992 | |
| 5 | The Married Man | 17 August 1992 | |
| 6 | The Other Married Man | 24 August 1992 | |
DVD releases
All four series including a 6-Disc set of the complete series have been released on DVD in the UK (Region 2).| DVD | Release date |
|---|---|
| The Complete Series 1 | 10 March 2008 |
| The Complete Series 2 | 28 January 2009 |
| The Complete Series 3 | 20 April 2009 |
| The Complete Series 4 | 22 June 2009 |
| The Complete Series 1 to 4 Box Set | 2 November 2009 |