Widely celebrated as Alan Bennett's masterpieces, his multi-award-winning Talking Heads return to BBC One. Filmed during lockdown under social distancing guidelines, a new generation of Britain's finest actors star in 10 of Bennett's classic scripts, alongside two brand new Talking Heads penned by the acclaimed writer last year.
Alan Bennett's Talking Heads (Season 1)
A Lady of Letters (Episode 1)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-06-23
Runtime: 31 min
Overview: Spinster Irene puts pen to paper to complain about the many, many wrongs she sees around her. However, she ends up on the wrong side of the law when she misreads completely the situation of the family living in the house opposite.
An Ordinary Woman (Episode 2)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-06-23
Runtime: 35 min
Overview: Michael is only 15, but you wouldn’t know. Gwen thought there would be something that gave you immunity, that you couldn’t fall for your own child.
Soldiering On (Episode 3)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-06-25
Runtime: 36 min
Overview: Muriel’s son Giles appears with papers for her to sign. It turns out she is quite a rich widow. But soon there’s a liquidity problem, and Giles could be to blame.
Her Big Chance (Episode 4)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-06-29
Runtime: 42 min
Overview: Actor Lesley prides herself on her professionalism, even if it’s for a walk-on role. She is thrilled to land the role of Travis, who spends the film bikini-clad on a yacht.
Playing Sandwiches (Episode 5)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-06-29
Runtime: 28 min
Overview: Wilfred is a parks attendant. After he befriends a young girl, it becomes clear why nobody can trace his records.
A Chip in the Sugar (Episode 6)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-06-30
Runtime: 33 min
Overview: Graham is his mam’s number one. But when they bump into semi-retired Mr Turnbull, Graham discovers she had a life pre-Dad and fully intends to have another.
The Outside Dog (Episode 7)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-06-30
Runtime: 32 min
Overview: Marjory hates husband Stuart’s dog, Tina. He takes her out late, comes in at midnight, clothes in the wash, naked to bed and then starts carrying on. Then the police arrive.
Bed Among the Lentils (Episode 8)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-07-01
Runtime: 46 min
Overview: Susan is not cut out to be the vicar’s wife. When she meets Mr. Ramesh in his shop, she discovers what else life can offer
Nights in the Garden of Spain (Episode 9)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-07-01
Runtime: 34 min
Overview: Rosemary recalls the morning she was accosted by Mrs McCorquodale, who had shot her husband. A friendship began, until Rosemary had to look again at her own marriage. (Set in the 1990s).
The Hand of God (Episode 10)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-07-02
Runtime: 28 min
Overview: Celia runs an antiques shop. But after she buys a lovely old frame containing the smudgy drawing of a finger, she discovers she’s less of an expert than she thought.
Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet (Episode 11)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-07-08
Runtime: 39 min
Overview: Miss Fozzard has a new chiropodist, Mr. Dunderdale, though technically he’s retired. Their weekly appointments soon raise the tricky question of who is treating whom.
The Shrine (Episode 12)
Writer: Alan Bennett
Air date: 2020-07-09
Runtime: 26 min
Overview: Lorna visits the spot where Clifford’s motorbike crashed, hoping for some closure. But one day she finds someone else has left some flowers on the shrine.
Seasons
Episodes 12