Covington Cross

1 9 9 2 (UK/USA)
1 x 90 minute pilot episode
12 x 60 minute episodes

Set in the 1350s, this riotous Robin Hood ripoff – made by Thames Television for the American ABC network – featured the life and exploits of fictional Lord Sir Thomas Grey and his family and neighbours in medieval England.

Nigel Terry starred as Sir Thomas, Lord of Covington Cross Castle and widowed father of four naughty sons and a spirited daughter.

While eldest son Armus (Tim Killick) was off fighting in the Crusades, Sir Thomas found controlling his other (Anglo-American) children difficult.

The feature-length pilot found young, hip Eleanor Grey (Ione Skye, the daughter of 60s folk singer Donovan) in love with a penniless painter, but Sir Thomas was planning to settle a longstanding feud by marrying her off to lip-curling baddie Henry of Gault (Greg Wise), the son of old rival Baron John Mullens (James Faulkner).

When he withdrew from the agreement, he was challenged to a duel to the death.

Meanwhile, the hilariously OTT Frenchy Genevieve De La Cleavage (Rosalind Bennett) was out to trick the brat pack Grey brothers, two of whom were British with one – surprisingly – a Yank and seemingly straight out of Beverly Hills 90210.

One of the brothers, Cedric (Glenn Quinn), ended up in a convent full of nubile young women anxious to be taught about worldly pleasures.

His Lordship’s girlfriend, Lady Elizabeth (Cherie Lunghi) was every bit as feisty as soccer boss Gabriella, who Cherie played in The Manageress. Liz would often step in to solve family quarrels.

Episodes featured marauding Scots, avenging Saracens, plague victims, thieves, outlaws and witchcraft and plenty of skullduggery from the evil Baron Mullens and his kin. Fortunately, the Greys had Mullens’ daughter, Alexandra (Laura Howard) on their side.

Critics described the short-lived medieval soap opera – shot around Allington Castle in Kent and at Shepperton Studios – as a British version of Bonanza.

Sir Thomas Grey
Nigel Terry
Lady Elizabeth
Cherie Lunghi
Baron John Mullens
James Faulkner
Richard Grey
Jonathan Firth
Cedric Grey
Glenn Quinn
Eleanor Grey
Ione Skye
Armus Grey
Tim Killick
Alexandra Mullens
Laura Howard
Henry of Gault
Greg Wise
King Edward
Miles Anderson
Genevieve De La Croix
Rosalind Bennett
Sheriff 
Sion Probert

Episodes

Pilot | Armus Returns | Outlaws | Cedric Hits the Road | The Hero | Blinded Passions | The Persecution | Eviction | The Trial | The Plague | Revenge | Celebration | Brothers

Video