Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20120130 | Kris Marshall and Katherine Jakeways return as Mr and Mrs Pepys in Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of the diary for 1662 - a year which begins badly when Sam accidentally whacks Elizabeth in the eye with his elbow as he's waking up. On Twelfth Night they enjoy a feast, including eighteen mince pies, with their neighbours, Lord and Lady Batten, who are also celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary on that day. There's more entertainment on a night out at the theatre when they see Romeo and Juliet - but decide it's the worst play - and the worst acted - they've ever seen. Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall Elizabeth Pepys . . . Katherine Jakeways Captain Holmes . . . Andrew Wincott Sir William Batten . . . Richard Mitchley Lady Batten . . . Marilyn le Conte Will . . . John Biddle Captain Cook/Mr Saville . . . Matthew Gravelle Jane . . . Rebecca Newman Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter. 1962 begins badly when Pepys accidentally elbows his wife in the eye as he wakes up. |
| 02 | 20120131 | In Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of Pepys' diary for 1662, Sam wants to go on a jaunt to Portsmouth with Captain Cook - a trip combining navy business with pleasure. But Elizabeth is not so keen on him going without her, especially as he insists on sending her away from London to the country where she'll get no visitors. On Sam's return they see a puppet show at Covent Garden, and catch up on court gossip with Lord Sandwich - the new Queen is about to arrive from Portugal but the King is still spending most nights with his mistress, Lady Castlemaine. Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall Elizabeth Pepys . . . Katherine Jakeways Sir William Batten . . . Richard Mitchley Sir William Coventry . . . Andrew Wincott Jane . . . Rebecca Newman Captain Cook . . . Matthew Gravelle Mr Hollier . . . Gareth Pierce Lord Sandwich . . . Blake Ritson Will . . . John Biddle Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter. Samuel is determined to go without Elizabeth on a navy jaunt to Portsmouth. |
| 03 | 20120201 | In Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of 1662, Samuel witnesses the death of Henry Vane, a Puritan executed after an unfair trial. At home he tends to his appearance, by having Jane comb out his hair which is 'foul with powdering and other troubles', and bathe his feet in herbs. There is much discussion of the new Queen's poor fashion sense - she wears old fashioned farthingales and has a hairstyle not seen in England for years. Elizabeth, meanwhile, appears to be going deaf - until Mr Hollier, the doctor, comes to the rescue. Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall Elizabeth Pepys . . . Katherine Jakeways Henry Vane/Swan . . . Matthew Gravelle Lord Sandwich . . . Blake Ritson Jane . . . Rebecca Newman Mr Hollier . . . Gareth Pierce Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter. A BBC Cymru Wales Production, directed by Kate McAll. Sam witnesses the unjust execution of Henry Vane and the arrival of a new Queen. |
| 04 | 20120202 | In Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of the diary for 1662, Sir William Batten is having a storey added to his house - so Sam decides to keep up with the neighbours and do the same. Sir William is becoming tiresome in more ways than one - he's untidy in the office, and pays too much for materials. In August the Queen comes to town by barge and Samuel goes to watch - it's so busy and crowded he can't get a boat, even for 8 shillings. Then some scaffolding collapses and people are injured. Sam notes that the only person of 'quality' who tries to help is the King's mistress, Lady Castlemaine, who tends to an injured child. Sam is also worried about his new neighbour, Sir John Minnes, who keeps questioning him over their shared boundaries. Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall Elizabeth Pepys . . Katherine Jakeways Jane . . . Rebecca Newman Sir William Batten . . . Richard Mitchley Sir John Minnes . . . Alun Raglan Captain Cook . . . Matthew Gravelle Lord Sandwich . . . Blake Ritson Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter. A BBC Cymru Wales production directed by Kate McAll. Sir William Batten is having a storey added to his house, so Sam decides to do the same. |
| 05 | 20120203 | In Hattie Naylor's dramatisation of the diary for 1662, Samuel's brother, Tom, is in love and hoping to marry. But he has exaggerated his income and after some toing and froing, his fianc退e breaks the engagement, much to Tom's distress. Lord Sandwich tells Sam that there is hidden treasure undiscovered in the Tower - and charges Samuel with trying to find it. The year ends with Elizabeth unwell in bed and Sam feeding her Christmas treats. Samuel Pepys . . . Kris Marshall Elizabeth Pepys . . . Katherine Jakeways Lord Sandwich . . . Blake Ritson Tom . . . Gareth Pierce Mr Wade . . . Matthew Gravelle Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter. A BBC Cymru Wales production directed by Kate McAll. |