One Foot in the Grave

Synopsis

One Foot in the Grave is a BBC television sitcom series The series features the exploits of Victor Meldrew and his long-suffering wife, Margaret. The programmes invariably deal with Meldrew's battle against the problems he creates for himself. Living in a typical household in an unnamed English suburb, Victor takes involuntary early retirement. His various efforts to keep himself busy, while encountering various misfortunes and misunderstandings are the themes of the sitcom. The series was largely filmed on location in Walkford, near New Milton in Hampshire, although several clues show that the series may have been set in Hampshire – possibly Winchester. Despite its traditional production, the series supplants its domestic sitcom setting with elements of black humour and surrealism.

First Air Date: 1990-01-04

Last Air Date: 2000-11-20

Number of Seasons: 6

Number of Episodes: 36

Created By: David Renwick

Networks: BBC One

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew
Annette Crosbie as Margaret Meldrew
Owen Brenman as Nick Swainey
Doreen Mantle as Mrs Warboys
Janine Duvitski as Pippa
Angus Deayton as Patrick
John Rutland as Wilfred
Roger Hammond as Mr Gillespie
Michael Robbins as N/A
Diana Coupland as N/A

Seasons

Specials (1990) - (10 Episodes)

Series 1 (1990) - (6 Episodes)

Series 2 (1990) - (6 Episodes)

Series 3 (1992) - (6 Episodes)

Series 4 (1993) - (6 Episodes)

Series 5 (1994) - (6 Episodes)

Series 6 (2000) - (6 Episodes)

Specials (1990)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Who's Listening? (1990-12-27)

"All the miseries in the world seem a hundred times worse at Christmas." Victor isn't in a seasonal mood thanks to Mrs Warboys's nativity play, a hostage crisis and 263 garden gnomes. However, Victor's troubles are tiny compared with those of the small boy who wants his dead father home.
Ep. 2: The Man in the Long Black Coat (1991-12-30)

Victor and Patrick's feud has continued and they now communicate via post-it notes. Pippa is expecting a baby, while Victor is keeping an allotment and buys some radioactive horse manure.
Ep. 3: Victor in the Bath (1993-03-12)

For UK Comic relief 1993, Victor spends 'just one more minute' in the bath contemplating the mysteries of life, from wrinkled fingers to microscopic insects
Ep. 4: One Foot in the Algarve (1993-12-26)

The Meldrews are going on holiday to Portugal with Mrs Warboys. While Margaret is concerned about her approaching 60th birthday, Mrs Warboys is looking forward to meeting her pen friend, with thoughts of romance. Meanwhile, a journalist is attempting to retrieve a vitally important camera film which just happens to be in Margaret's handbag.
Ep. 5: The Wisdom of the Witch (1995-12-25)

When Cousin Ursula dies the Meldrews have to clear out her house in the country, although a witch has predicted that Victor is about to come to an untimely end. Patrick and Pippa have finally sold their house and are preparing to move. Patrick has a new job with his own secretary - something which puts his life in danger.
Ep. 6: Starbound (1996-12-26)

The Meldrews return from a long weekend away to find a man living in their shed. Victor is suffering from a hernia but this hasn't stopped him getting a job as a gardener working for Patrick's new boss. Meanwhile, Mr Swainey's mother claims that she is abducted by aliens from Neptune every night.
Ep. 7: Endgame (1997-12-25)

Victor and Margaret have new neighbours, the McVities, who they are actually getting on well with. But for how much longer will it last, especially when Victor buys a haunted caravan, and then inadvertently kidnaps the mother of a millionaire?
Ep. 8: Visiting Uncle Dick (2001-03-06)

Short post-finale outing for the Meldrews in aid of Comic Relief (2001). Margaret is visiting a relative in hospital. Victor is his usual self; complaining about everything, and Margaret is her usual self; pretending not to hear him...
Ep. 9: I Don't Believe It! The One Foot in the Grave Story (2000-11-20)

Documentary celebrating 10 years of the popular BBC sitcom 'One Foot in the Grave', which ran from 1990 to 2000. Cast members and writer David Renwick discuss the series and a selection of memorable clips illustrate the show's huge appeal.
Ep. 10: Britain's Best Sitcom: One Foot in the Grave (2004-02-14)

Rowland Rivron pays tribute to Victor Meldrew , the irascible pensioner whose catchphrase "I don't believe it!" struck a chord with world-weary viewers everywhere. Contributors include Richard Wilson , Annette Crosbie , Angus Deayton and Eric Idle.