INTRODUCTION WORKS BIOGRAPHIES & BIBLIOGRAPHIES TELEVISION ADAPTATIONS Introduction The Ian Carmichael Era (1972-76) The Edward Petherbridge Era (1986) Other Links LINKS ABOUT THE DOROTHY L. SAYERS ARCHIVE EMAIL

TELEVISION ADAPTATIONS INTRODUCTION Two series of television adaptations of Dorothy L. Sayers detective stories have been made by the BBC, both of which have been broadcast in the United States and elsewhere around the world. The adaptations were undertaken in two groups, with five novels being adapted between 1972 and 1976, and a further three in 1986. The first series starred Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter Wimsey, Mark Eden as Charles Parker, and Glyn Houston as Bunter. These productions often had the feel of stage plays, as much serious BBC drama did in the sixties and seventies. Yet the outdoor sequences were often wonderfully done, and often provided an ideal counterpoint to the studio work. These adaptations were basically faithful to the books, with the possible exception of 'The Nine Tailors', which uses an entire episode of exposition, albeit interestingly conceived, before coming to the action of the story itself. The other stories included 'Clouds of Witness', 'The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club', 'Murder Must Advertise', and 'The Five Red Herrings'. In the United States, these lavish programmes were a staple part of the schedule of a new programme intended to showcase the best of British drama, that being 'Masterpiece Theatre', hosted by Alastair Cooke. All five stories have been released in various video formats in the UK and US. The second group of stories, released in 1986, were an attempt to tell the Peter Wimsey / Harriet Vane stories, although the production team were apparently unable to secure the rights to Busman's Honeymoon. These stories starred Edward Petherbridge as Lord Peter Wimsey, and Harriet Walter as Harriet Vane. This time, they were broadcast in the United States on the programme 'Mystery!' (which first began in 1980, ten years after 'Masterpiece Theatre'). They were last repeated in the summer of 1989, and they too have been released to video.   Informational Links the Mystery! Home Page A useful page for those wanting to see the complete history of stories broadcast on Mystery! the Masterpiece Theatre Home Page Equally useful page for aficionados of Masterpiece Theatre.