Screen One

1 9 8 9 – 1 9 9 8 (UK)
60 x 90/100 minute episodes

This television anthology drama series of 60 individual films was produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC1 between 1989 and 1998.

The series was born following the demise of the BBC’s Play for Today in 1984 when Producer Kenneth Trodd was asked to formulate a new series of one-off dramas shot entirely on film, the result of which was Screen Two, which began on BBC2 in 1985.

In 1989, the series was adapted for more mainstream audiences on BBC1, and Screen One was born. Several of the individual films broadcast under the anthology umbrella were actually aired as stand-alone specials. A number of the films were later released in cinemas.

The series featured many names familiar to television and film audiences, including Sean Bean, David Thewlis, Ray Winstone, Alan Bates, Judi Dench, James Fox, Keith Allen, Bob Peck, Alun Armstrong, Marina Sirtis, David Jason, Brenda Blethyn, James Bolam, Adrian Edmondson and Alison Steadman. Several actors also made their on-screen debuts during the series, including Keira Knightley in the fifth series episode “Royal Celebration”.

Standouts included “The Police” (16 September 1990), “Hancock” (1 September 1991), “A Question of Attribution” (20 October 1991), “Ghostwatch” (31 October 1992), “The Bullion Boys” (24 October 1993) and “Our Boy” (15 February 1998).