Between 1970 and 1984, BBC1’s experimental drama strand Play for Today (https://www.bbc.co.uk/historyofthebbc/research/play-for-today) created what is now regarded as classic British drama.
It launched myriad acting careers and showcased high-calibre writing in plays such as Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party (https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2009/sep/27/abigails-party-mike-leigh-steadman) and Blue Remembered Hills (https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2008/jun/05/tvblogbypeterbradshaw), Dennis Potter’s acclaimed play about lost youth.
It was often challenging, often radical and always unpredictable, rotating directors, producers and writers each week to create unique one-off episodes.
The series covered a huge range of subject matter, across different genres and styles, and sought to reveal truths about contemporary life.
By the mid-1980s, the BBC was reluctant to continue taking costly chances on new talent each week in an era of increasing competition, and Play for Today was canned.
Now, in 2025, it’s coming back. Channel 5 recently announced the return of the series (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/aug/17/channel-5-revives-bbc-play-for-today-new-series-dramas), emphasising that the new Play for Today will provide a space to experiment for emerging creative talent, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. This development is welcome in an industry that fails to embrace working-class entrants (https://theconversation.com/who-represents-britain-on-screen-uk-film-and-tv-culture-still-has-a-worrying-class-problem-255741).
With 4 episodes and a well known cast of actors
Special Measures, made by LA Productions, is a state of the nation drama looking at the growing pressures facing schools in the UK.
It stars Jessica Plummer (Missing You) as a teacher who must deal with a surprise school inspection on the day that her boss suddenly quits.
Never Too Late, meanwhile, is produced by Vertigo Films and stars Anita Dobson (Doctor Who) as a rebellious woman forced to start over in a retirement village. The supporting cast includes Nigel Havers (The Gentleman) and Tracy Ann-Oberman (It’s A Sin).
Big Winners, produced by LA Productions, stars Sue Johnston (The Royle Family) and Paul Copley (Downton Abbey) as lottery winners with contrasting ideas of how to spend the cash – and the rest of their lives.
Finally, Intruders is the second project from Vertigo Films and is described as a single-location psychological thriller. Alan Davies (Jonathan Creek) and Nikki Amuka-Bird (Knock at the Cabin) feature as a couple who must face a stranger’s explosive accusations.