Play for Today (Channel 5 series)
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| Play for Today | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama television plays anthology social realism kitchen-sink drama |
| Created by | Simon Warne & Lydia Marchant |
| Based on | Play for Today |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Running time | 45 mins |
| Production companies | Vertigo Films LA Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 5 |
| Release | 13 November 2025 – present |
Play for Today is a British television strand, produced by Channel 5. It is a continuation of the original BBC One series of the same name, which ran from 1970 to 1984. Like the prior series, it is an anthology of original one-off dramas exploring modern social issues. It began broadcasting on 13 November 2025.[1][2]
In 2025, Channel 5 announced they would revive the series towards the end of that year for a new audience.[3] The project was conceived, following a conversation with Vertigo Films’ Allan Niblo. Episodes 1 and 3 were made by Vertigo in London, and the other two by Liverpool-based LA Productions (who had been involved with a similar programme, BBC One's Moving On). Sebastian Cardwell, Channel 5’s head of drama, stated that the series would act as a gateway for new talent, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to enter the television industry.[4]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Never Too Late" | Sara Harrak | Simon Warne & Lydia Marchant | 13 November 2025 | N/A | |
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Elderly Cynthia is forced into a retirement village by her family, but her plans to get evicted go awry when she meets an old flame. Starring: Anita Dobson and Nigel Havers. | ||||||
| 2 | "Big Winners" | Emma Turner | Martha Watson Allpress | 20 November 2025 | N/A | |
|
A £14 million win in the lottery causes chaos in a decades-long marriage. Starring: Sue Johnston and Paul Copley. | ||||||
| 3 | "A Knock at the Door" | Daniel Rands | David Whitehouse | 4 December 2025 | N/A | |
|
His career undone by accusations of impropriety with several women, comedian Lenny Bray's life unravels further when a bleeding delivery driver shows up at his home, claiming to have been mugged. Starring: Alan Davies and Nikki Amuka-Bird. | ||||||
| 4 | "Special Measures" | Jack McLoughlin | Lee Thompson | 11 December 2025 | N/A | |
|
A surprise OFSTED inspection causes havoc in a struggling Liverpool school, which is dealing with demoralized staff, hungry students and a lack of funds. Starring: Jessica Plummer. | ||||||