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Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1 Episodes

  • 1978-2014
  • 7 Seasons
  • PBS
  • Comedy
  • TVPG
  • Watchlist
    Where to Watch

Leo McKern played John Mortimer's clever London barrister Horace Rumpole in a popular Emmy-nominated series of episodes that aired on PBS's 'Mystery!' The cases took place at the Old Bailey, where Rumpole's clients included a couple accused of running a brothel, an editor charged with libel, a member of Parliament accused of rape and a soldier in a court-martial. At home, Rumpole had a different kind of challenge: his formidable wife, Hilda ('She Who Must Be Obeyed').

Season 1 Episode Guide

Season 1

6 Episodes 1978 - 1978

Episode 1

Rumpole and the Younger Generation

Mon, Apr 3, 1978 60 mins

In the series opener, eccentric London barrister Horace Rumpole (Leo McKern) defends the teenage member of an infamous criminal family. Hilda: Peggy Thorpe-Bates. Featherstone: Peter Bowles. Erskine-Brown: Julian Curry.

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Episode 2

Rumpole and the Alternative Society

Mon, Apr 10, 1978 60 mins

Rumpole (Leo McKern) takes on the case of an attractive young commune resident who's accused of purchasing drugs from an undercover officer. Hilda: Peggy Thorpe-Bates. Featherstone: Peter Bowles. Phyllida: Patricia Hodge. Erskine-Brown: Julian Curry.

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Rumpole of the Bailey, Season 1 Episode 2 image

Episode 3

Rumpole and the Honourable Member

Mon, Apr 17, 1978 60 mins

Rumpole takes on the case of an MP (Anton Rodgers) who's accused of rape, and tries to prevent the dismissal of his clerk Albert (Derek Benfield). Bridget: Elizabeth Rommily. Hilda: Peggy Thorpe-Bates. Featherstone: Peter Bowles. Rumpole: Leo McKern.

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Rumpole of the Bailey, Season 1 Episode 3 image

Episode 4

Rumpole and the Married Lady

Mon, Apr 24, 1978 60 mins

Rumpole handles a divorce for a woman (Phyllida Law) who says her husband hasn't spoken to her in three years. Thripp: Clifford Parrish. Phyllida: Patricia Hodge. George: Moray Watson. Hilda: Peggy Thrope-Bates. Rumpole: Leo McKern.

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Rumpole of the Bailey, Season 1 Episode 4 image

Episode 5

Rumpole and the Learned Friends

Mon, May 1, 1978 60 mins

A journalist (Edward Hammond) helps Rumpole prove that an accused safecracker (Ken Jones) was framed by the arresting officer. Dickerson: Malcolm Storry. Judge Bullingham: Bill Fraser. Featherstone: Peter Bowles. Hilda: Peggy Thorpe-Bates. Rumpole: Leo McKern.

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Rumpole of the Bailey, Season 1 Episode 5 image

Episode 6

Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade

Mon, May 15, 1978 60 mins

Rumpole defends a young hood (Stewart Harwood), thought to be mentally incompetent, on a murder charge. Basil: Derek Newark. Justice Prestcold: Mark Dignam. Hilda: Peggy Thorpe-Bates. Rumpole: Leo McKern.

Where to Watch
Rumpole of the Bailey, Season 1 Episode 6 image