The BBC is set to revive its groundbreaking drama series Play for Today, which originally aired on the main channel from 1970 to 1984. The new four-part collection will be broadcast on Channel 5, with each play airing as a standalone single drama.
One of the plays in the new series, Big Winners, revolves around a couple who win the national lottery, while another, Never Too Late, features a widow in her sixties who starts flirting again in a rest home. The two dramas will be followed by A Knock at the Door and Special Measures.
Play for Today was known for tackling sensitive issues such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality, often in an explicitly socialist and left-wing vein. However, with the passage of time, cultural attitudes have shifted, and current TV shows tend to focus more on the lives of well-heeled middle-class families.
The revival comes at a time when Channel 5 is looking to revive classic British dramas to appeal to older audiences. The four plays are set to air as standalone single dramas rather than part of an existing series.
Play for Today originally featured works from some of the most prominent writers in British television, including David Hare and Stephen Poliakoff. One notable example is Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, which started out as a stage play before airing on the BBC series.
In comparison to previous iterations, this revival will be marked by changes in script style and tone. The four new plays do not follow the explicitly socialist critiques of British society seen in some earlier episodes but instead focus on contemporary themes such as marriage, money, and identity.
Play for Today's revival has been met with optimism from critics, who have praised its attempt to adapt to changing cultural attitudes and highlight nuanced portrayals of life among Britain's older population. However, the decision not to commit to a longer series may be seen as cautious given current streaming trends favoring multi-season box sets on platforms like Netflix.
One of the plays in the new series, Big Winners, revolves around a couple who win the national lottery, while another, Never Too Late, features a widow in her sixties who starts flirting again in a rest home. The two dramas will be followed by A Knock at the Door and Special Measures.
Play for Today was known for tackling sensitive issues such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality, often in an explicitly socialist and left-wing vein. However, with the passage of time, cultural attitudes have shifted, and current TV shows tend to focus more on the lives of well-heeled middle-class families.
The revival comes at a time when Channel 5 is looking to revive classic British dramas to appeal to older audiences. The four plays are set to air as standalone single dramas rather than part of an existing series.
Play for Today originally featured works from some of the most prominent writers in British television, including David Hare and Stephen Poliakoff. One notable example is Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party, which started out as a stage play before airing on the BBC series.
In comparison to previous iterations, this revival will be marked by changes in script style and tone. The four new plays do not follow the explicitly socialist critiques of British society seen in some earlier episodes but instead focus on contemporary themes such as marriage, money, and identity.
Play for Today's revival has been met with optimism from critics, who have praised its attempt to adapt to changing cultural attitudes and highlight nuanced portrayals of life among Britain's older population. However, the decision not to commit to a longer series may be seen as cautious given current streaming trends favoring multi-season box sets on platforms like Netflix.
! I mean, who doesn't love a good drama that tackles real-life issues? It's awesome that Channel 5 is giving these classic plays a new lease of life, especially with the changing attitudes and interests of audiences today. The fact that they're adapting to contemporary themes like marriage, money, and identity is just brilliant 
! I'm loving the idea of standalone single dramas too - it's great way to bring in new viewers and give old favorites a refresh 
. Can't wait to see what these talented writers come up with!
, even if it is just as four single dramas. still, gotta say, these new plays seem pretty mellow compared to the old ones... I mean, what happened to tackling poverty and all that? nowadays it's all about marriage and money 
. not sure if i'd watch this new series though, might be a bit too soft for my taste 
. but hey, good on 'em for trying to adapt to changing times, i guess...
. It's great that they're reviving a classic drama series that tackled tough issues back in the day. The new four-part collection seems to be taking a more nuanced approach, focusing on contemporary themes and life among Britain's older population 
.
, I think this is gonna be a wild ride! 
Reviving Play for Today after all these years is super exciting, especially with the new lineup of dramas that tackle real issues affecting older Brits, like loneliness and identity. The fact that it's not just about the rich middle-class fams is a breath of fresh air 
. I'm loving the fact that Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party is being repped - that show always spoke to something about British society back in the day. Can't wait to see how these new plays play out on Channel 5! 
. I mean, who needs a feel-good show when we have real problems to address? The fact that they're focusing on more contemporary themes like marriage and identity is a step in the right direction...but let's be real, it's still gonna be all about the old folks, right? 
and flirting in rest homes 
. It's about time someone made TV shows for us old folks, not just the rich and young 'uns 
. The revival is a great idea, especially with these new plays that focus on marriage, money, and identity – it's like they're speaking our language... or at least, my parents' language 
. Can't wait to see what the new series brings! 
But overall, I think this revival is a great step forward for Channel 5 and for television in general. Fingers crossed they'll keep pushing the boundaries and tackling those tough issues! 
, but still keeping it real with nuanced portrayals of life among Britain's seniors.
those classic plays were tackling super tough issues like poverty & social inequality, and now we need more shows that can spark real conversations 
.
streaming trends can be kinda weird sometimes 
. And can we please not make these plays standalone single dramas? I feel like that's just a cop-out compared to what we used to get with Play for Today.
The lack of commitment to a longer series is also pretty suspicious. What's the real reason behind that decision? 