Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20120716 | It's 1664 and Sam starts the year with a family visit to a coffee house. As time progresses, however, his trips around London have a more salacious purpose, as his thoughts turn increasingly towards the ladies in his life. The neighbourhood, meanwhile, suffers some serious crimes: a local criminal mastermind is caught and hanged. Sam goes to the hanging, and balances on a cartwheel to get a good view - but is sorry to see it. Sam hears of a rape which is hushed up because the perpetrators are attendants to the Queen Mother. Then other news arrives - that Sam's brother Tom has been taken seriously ill. Cast: Samuel Pepys - Kris Marshall, Elizabeth Pepys - Katherine Jakeways, Uncle Wight - Ewan Bailey, Aunty Wight - Manon Edwards, Will - John Biddle, Bessie - Sarah Ovens, Colonel Turner - Matthew Gravelle, Tom Pepys - Gareth Pierce. Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While You 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. Historical consultant: Liza Picard Sound by Nigel Lewis A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll. It's 1664, and Sam's thoughts turn increasingly towards the ladies in his life. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 02 | 20120717 | Sam's younger brother, Tom, falls desperately ill but the doctors disagree about the diagnosis. Meanwhile, the maid reveals some secrets about how Tom has been living. Sam and Elizabeth have an enormous row which continues when she follows him to the office 'like a vixen with a look of rancour'. When Tom dies even more surprising secrets are revealed. Cast: Samuel Pepys - Kris Marshall, Elizabeth Pepys - Katherine Jakeways, Will - John Biddle, Cousin Jane - Manon Edwards, Tom Pepys - Gareth Pierce, Dr Wiverly - Matthew Gravelle, Dr Powell - Ewan Bailey, Gravedigger - Lee Mengo. Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While You 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. Historical consultant: Liza Picard Sound by Nigel Lewis A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll. Sam's younger brother Tom falls seriously ill, but the diagnosis is unclear. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 03 | 20120718 | Sam's old jealousy returns. At home with a cold, he stops Elizabeth going to Church alone in case she sees her old dancing master, Mr Pembleton. The moment he's better, of course, he's out looking for his mistress, Mrs Lane. Elizabeth finally discovers why Sam's uncle has been so interested in her - and Sam is severely embarrassed when he walks in on Lady Sandwich using the chamber pot. Cast: Samuel Pepys - Kris Marshall, Elizabeth Pepys - Katherine Jakeways, Bessie - Sarah Ovens, Lady Sandwich - Bethan Walker, Edward, Lord Sandwich - Blake Ritson, Lord Clarendon - Ewan Bailey. Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While You 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. Historical consultant: Liza Picard Sound by Nigel Lewis A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll. Sam is embarrassed when he comes home and finds Lady Sandwich on the chamber pot. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 04 | 20120719 | Sam's affair with Mrs Lane continues, even after he is introduced to her husband. On the way home he is tempted by the whores on Fleet Street but manages to resist. He visits Llewellyn who has a new baby and Sam's childlessness is discussed by the ladies present - they offer various remedies from lying upside down in bed and eating toast, to drinking sage juice. Cast: Samuel Pepys - Kris Marshall, Elizabeth Pepys - Katherine Jakeways, Mrs Lane - Eiry Thomas, Llewellyn - Matthew Gravelle, Mrs Bagwell - Bethan Walker Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While You 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. Historical consultant: Liza Picard Sound by Nigel Lewis A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll. Sam's affair with Mrs Lane continues, and he is tempted by the whores on Fleet Street. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 05 | 20120720 | Pepys and his household rise early to go and see the King launch the Royal Catherine. Sam begins another affair and his current mistress, Mrs Lane, begs for his help. The year ends badly when Sam and Elizabeth have a bitter row that ends in violence. Cast: Samuel Pepys - Kris Marshall, Elizabeth Pepys - Katherine Jakeways, Bessie - Sarah Ovens, Will - John Biddle, King Charles and his brother the Duke of York - Ewan Bailey, Mrs Bagwell - Bethan Walker, Llewellyn - Matthew Gravelle, Mrs Lane - Eiry Thomas. Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While You 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. Historical consultant: Liza Picard Sound by Nigel Lewis A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll. The Pepys household see the launch of the Royal Catherine, and the year ends with a row. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |