The Afternoon Play (Season 1)

The Afternoon Play is a British television anthology series of standalone contemporary dramas aired during the afternoons of 2003–07 on BBC One, featuring well-known actors in one-off stories. A daytime drama strand showcasing a variety of genres, from comedy to mystery, it was part of a long tradition of afternoon plays on BBC Radio 4, which would go on to influence the television version.

  • Poster for Turkish Delight

    Turkish Delight (Episode 1)

    Writer: Rowan Joffé

    Air date: 2003-01-27

    Runtime: 60 min

    Overview: A bored housewife finds glamour and excitement when she starts a job belly-dancing in a Turkish restaurant.

  • Poster for Coming Up for Air

    Coming Up for Air (Episode 2)

    Writer: Matthew Parkhill

    Air date: 2003-01-28

    Runtime: 60 min

    Overview: An overworked, unhappy widower who suffers from stress ends up with shock-related amnesia when he takes a holiday in Spain. With the help of a woman he meets out there, he then has to rediscover his old identity, meeting family and colleagues as if for the first time.

  • Poster for The Real Arnie Griffin

    The Real Arnie Griffin (Episode 3)

    Writer: Jeff Povey

    Air date: 2003-01-29

    Runtime: 60 min

    Overview: An undercover store detective, who prides himself on his disguises but longs to solve real crimes, seizes a chance to impress both his estranged wife and investigate a hit-and-run.

  • Poster for Heroes and Villains

    Heroes and Villains (Episode 4)

    Writer: Lesley Clare O'Neill

    Air date: 2003-01-30

    Runtime: 60 min

    Overview: On a deprived housing estate, down-and-out Jonny steals some dodgy leather jackets that turn out to have drugs in them. When his girlfriend Marlene sells them on to the locals, she receives a tip-off about their contents and realises they must be retrieved.

  • Poster for Girls' Weekend

    Girls' Weekend (Episode 5)

    Writer: Jane English

    Air date: 2003-01-31

    Runtime: 60 min

    Overview: Four old friends take a hen weekend by the sea, where the bride-to-be discovers that the others have all slept with her fiancé. The fiancé, meanwhile, realising something is wrong, abandons his stag weekend to go and find her.

The Afternoon Play

Seasons