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COLLECTION · Series · 1978

Empire Road

Empire Road was a British television series, made by the BBC in 1978 and 1979. Written by Michael Abbensetts, the show ran for two seasons of eight episodes each. The series was the first British television series to be written, acted and directed predominantly by black artists. A soap opera, similar in format to Coronation Street, Empire Road depicted life for the African-Caribbean, East Indian and South Asian residents of a racially diverse street in the city of Birmingham. Prominent cast members included Norman Beaton, Corinne Skinner-Carter, Wayne Laryea, Joseph Marcell and Rudolph Walker. The programme also provided early TV exposure for Julie Walters who appeared in a few episodes. The series was made at BBC Pebble Mill with location work in the Handsworth area of Birmingham. The eponymously named theme song was recorded by Matumbi and also released as a single in 1978.

Source: TMDB
* 7.5 (2)Drama
Soundtrack
Google
Studios
BBC One
Runtime
30 min/ep
Release
31/10/1978
Score
7.5 / 10 (2)
Where to watch
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Seasons and episodes
Season 1
5 episodes · 1978
Episode 1. The Street Party
1978-10-31 · 30 min

Everton Bennett rules in Empire Road but after six months away, with only Walter in charge, there are shocks in store for the 'godfather'.

Episode 2. Granma
1978-11-07 · 30 min

Granma takes her first look at life in a big English city, and doesn’t approve of it.

Episode 3. The Way To Walter's Heart
1978-11-14 · 30 min

Miss May is on the lookout for a new husband, and Walter is number one on her list.

Episode 4. Royston's Day
1978-11-21 · 30 min

16-year-old Royston has a bleak outlook on his future, realising racial prejudice will affect the opportunities available to him.

Episode 5. The Big Day
1978-11-28 · 30 min

It’s a day full of surprises in Empire Road, but no one will tell Everton what’s really cooking.

Season 2
10 episodes · 1979
Episode 1. The Shark
1979-08-23 · 30 min

Marcus becomes infatuated with teacher Camille while Ranjanaa is away.

Episode 2. Mongrels
1979-08-30 · 30 min

Marcus becomes infatuated with teacher Camille while Ranjanaa is away.

Episode 3. M-Mister L-Landlord
1979-09-06 · 30 min

Property king Walter Isaacs is the man of the moment, but when he meets his new tenants, he learns he is playing a game he cannot win.

Episode 4. Football Crazy
1979-09-13 · 30 min

Desmond and Royston are determined to see their new football heroes in action.

Episode 5. Kalaloo Sunday
1979-09-20 · 30 min

Despite attending church in the morning, having plantains and kalaloo for lunch, and watching TV all afternoon, Hortense is yearning for the Sundays she knew back home.

Episode 6. Blues In The Night
1979-09-27 · 30 min

Miss May’s wild weekend parties are disrupted by angry protests from a white neighbour.

Episode 7. D.I.V.O.R.C.E.
1979-10-04 · 30 min

The prospect of a couple divorcing shocks the residents of Empire Road.

Episode 8. Godfadder At Bay
1979-10-18 · 30 min

Everton and the West Indian Businessman's Association face a financial crisis.

Episode 9. Streets Of Thornley
1979-10-25 · 30 min

Marcus keeps an eye on Ranjanaa when her father’s sweet shop is vandalised by a gang of racist youths.

Episode 10. Wedding
1979-11-01 · 30 min

Ranjanaa and Marcus are getting married today, and Empire Road sets out to celebrate the wedding of the year.

Cast by season
Meg Johnson
Meg Johnson
Rudolph Walker
Rudolph Walker
Joseph Marcell
Joseph Marcell
Norman Beaton
Norman Beaton
Wayne Laryea
Wayne Laryea
Julie Walters
Julie Walters
Jean Watson
?
Allister Bain
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