1 9 5 8 (UK)
14 x 30 minute episodes
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