Samuel Pepys personified the spirit of his age both at its greatest and at its less worthy. Nothing failed to interest him. He lived his life with verve and gusto and abiding enthusiasm. Those qualities permeated this Friday night BBC series featuring a distinguished adaptation of perhaps the most famous and best-kept diary of all time by Colonel A. R. Rawlinson.
A robust portrayal by Peter Sallis. coupled with Susan Maryott’s sensitive rendering of Mrs Pepys, highlighted a production achievement of consummate skill. Douglas Wilmer played Charles II and David Peel was the Duke of York, later James II.
The series – which debuted on Friday 7 March 1958 – followed Pepys from the age of 27 to 36 when, on the death of his wife Elizabeth, he gave up his diary and flirtations and eventually became Secretary of the Admiralty where he became known as the “Father of the Royal Navy” because of the campaign he waged to build up a powerful naval fleet.
When the series began in 1660, Master Samuel was dwelling in Axe Yard, Westminster, and earning £50 per year as an Exchequer clerk while General Monk (“a man who can keep his own counsel”) was marching on London and demanding the dissolution of the Rump Parliament and calling for free elections.
With 162 speaking parts, The Diary of Samuel Pepys was one of the largest BBC productions to date.
Samuel Pepys
Peter Sallis Elizabeth Pepys
Susan Maryott William Hewer
Alan Rowe Lady Castlemaine
Diana Fairfax Duke of York
David Peel King Charles II
Douglas Wilmer Lord Montagu/Lord Sandwich
Manning Wilson Sir William Coventry
Paul Eddington Duke of Albemarle
John Arnatt William Bowyer
Howard Lamb Sir William Penn
Anthony Newlands John Evelyn
John Sharplin John Pepys
Frederick Peisley Duchess of York
Jill Carey Nell Gwynne
Sheila Brennan Prince Rupert
Hedley Colson Bishop of London
John Dunbar Pall Pepys
Patricia Heneghan Duke of Buckingham
Robert James Viscount Brouncker
Wensley Pithey Lady Jemima Sandwich
Gina Sheil Lord Clarendon
Peter Stephens Lady Sandwich
Josephine Wilson
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