S1 E1 • Richard Wilson

Richard Wilson talks about his impressive career to date, with archive footage and testimony from friends and colleagues. The programme contains footage and stills from programmes such as One Foot in the Grave, Crown Court, Only When I Laugh and Richard's first TV appearance on Dr Finlay's Casebook.

Première diffusion : 19 décembre 2010

S1 E2 • Alison Steadman

Alison Steadman talks about her impressive career, featuring archive footage and testimony from friends and colleagues. The programme progresses from her earliest appearances on screen, to what drove her choices, for good or ill, and their consequences.

Première diffusion : 24 décembre 2010

S1 E3 • Michael Caine

This follows Sir Michael Caine's impressive career, featuring archive clips woven together with interviews from colleagues and critics. It covers his 50 year long career with classic films like Zulu, The Ipcress File, The Man Who Would Be King and Get Carter, plus the more recent controversial British film, Harry Brown.

Première diffusion : 26 juin 2011

S1 E4 • Dame Judi Dench

Documentary tracing the career of Dame Judi Dench using excerpts from performances and interviews with friends and colleagues. The programme shows very early recordings of Dame Judi performing Shakespeare and her first television appearance in Z Cars. We see performances in classic 60s dramas, 'Talking to a Stranger' and 'Four in the Morning' then show how she became a television sitcom star in 'A Fine Romance' and 'As Time Goes By'. Her sense of humour is illustrated by rarely seen outtakes from the shows. Dame Judi's career enjoyed a late flourish when three films propelled her into the international spotlight 'Goldeneye', 'Mrs Brown' and 'Shakespeare in Love' reinvented her as a film star and earned her an Oscar. Among many colleagues, the programme features Sir Michael Parkinson, Geoffrey Palmer and Simon Callow.

Première diffusion : 30 décembre 2011

S1 E5 • Les Dawson

Les Dawson was one of Britain's all time great comedy talents, best known as a comedian but also a talented musician, writer and actor. This programme traces his career, with familiar favourite TV clips and some rare gems from the archives. Together with interviews from friends, relatives and colleagues, the programme unpicks the secrets of his enduring legacy nearly 20 years after his untimely death. After 'discovery' on the Opportunity Knocks talent show in the 60s, he quickly became a regular face on TV, hosting comedy-led variety shows like Sez Les and The Les Dawson Show. His trademarks were short, pithy jokes, usually targeting his wife or mother in law, long verbose monologues and, perhaps most famously, piano recitals that went hilariously off key. His reputation attracted guest appearances from some unexpected fans like John Cleese and Shirley Bassey, and he created an overweight dance troupe, The Roly Polys. The programme shows how his career unfolded and illustrates the different facets of his comedy genius. John Cleese remembers their unlikely friendship, modern comedy stars Robert Webb and Russell Kane talk about his inspiration and Dawson's widow Tracy recalls their marriage and his joy at being a father late in life.

Première diffusion : 24 décembre 2011