Storyline

A coming-of-age story set in the 19th century England about Edwin Clayhanger, a young man who wants to be an architect, but it is expected of him to continue the family's printing business which he accepts for the time being.

First Aired

1976-01-01
Last Aired

1976-06-24
Creator
Genre

Drama
Seasons

1
Episodes

26
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

ITV1

Keywords:

based on novel or book period drama 19th century

Stream and watch Clayhanger

Season 1

1. Last of a Schoolboy

July 1872 - It is Edwin Clayhanger's last day at school. Everyone expects that he will enter his fathe...More

July 1872 - It is Edwin Clayhanger's last day at school. Everyone expects that he will enter his father's printing business, but Edwin has very different ideas about his future.Less

60mins 1976-01-01

2. The Architect

Edwin becomes a hero - he wins his fathers admiration, but is no nearer to the realisation of his own ...More

Edwin becomes a hero - he wins his fathers admiration, but is no nearer to the realisation of his own ambitions to become an architect.Less

60mins 1976-01-08

3. HIlda

Edwin has written to his father reminding him that he wants to train as an architect. Darius is curiou...More

Edwin has written to his father reminding him that he wants to train as an architect. Darius is curious, while Edwin realises that a summons from his aunt means the battle has come to a head...Less

60mins 1976-01-15

4. The Five Towns Chronicle and Turnhill Guardian

While Edwin continues to work as an assistant at his father's printing works, eyebrows are raised when...More

While Edwin continues to work as an assistant at his father's printing works, eyebrows are raised when Hilda Lessways becomes the first woman in the Five Towns to learn shorthand - in order to work for George Cannon.Less

60mins 1976-01-22

5. Sin and Romance

Hilda receives a telegram from London informing her that her mother is ill. Instead of leaving at once...More

Hilda receives a telegram from London informing her that her mother is ill. Instead of leaving at once, she continues to work on the first edition of Cannon's newspaper.Less

60mins 1976-01-29

6. Escape to Bleakridge

Hilda's feeling of responsibility for her mother's death has led her to a nervous breakdown. While sti...More

Hilda's feeling of responsibility for her mother's death has led her to a nervous breakdown. While still recovering in Miss Gailey's boarding house, she hears that Cannon is insisting on visiting her.Less

60mins 1976-02-05

7. Centenary

Edwin spends an evening with the Orgreaves. He takes an instant dislike to Hilda, but when he leaves t...More

Edwin spends an evening with the Orgreaves. He takes an instant dislike to Hilda, but when he leaves to take another look at the new Clayhanger house, she secretly follows him...Less

60mins 1976-02-12

8. Taking a Share

After their day together at the Sunday School Centenary celebrations, Hilda and Edwin have become fasc...More

After their day together at the Sunday School Centenary celebrations, Hilda and Edwin have become fascinated with each other. Edwin is both excited and unnerved at the prospect of their becoming neighbours.Less

60mins 1976-02-19

9. Brighton

Miss Gailey tells Hilda that Cannon has taken a boarding house in Brighton, and expects them all to go...More

Miss Gailey tells Hilda that Cannon has taken a boarding house in Brighton, and expects them all to go and live there.Less

60mins 1976-02-26

10. Marriage

Hilda has accepted George's marriage proposal, but is nervous of breaking the news to Miss Gailey, who...More

Hilda has accepted George's marriage proposal, but is nervous of breaking the news to Miss Gailey, who is now a semi-permanent invalid.Less

60mins 1976-03-04

11. Love

Hilda's secret marriage to George has ended disastrously with the discovery that it was bigamous. Dese...More

Hilda's secret marriage to George has ended disastrously with the discovery that it was bigamous. Deserted by him, she returns to Bursley to stay with the Orgreaves. On the night of her arrival there is a visitor - Edwin.Less

60mins 1976-03-11

12. Punishment

Hilda and Edwin declare their love for each other. But when she is forced to return to Brighton, Hilda...More

Hilda and Edwin declare their love for each other. But when she is forced to return to Brighton, Hilda has still not found the courage to tell Edwin about her past.Less

60mins 1976-03-18

13. Laid Aside

Edwin knows nothing of the role that Mr Shushions played in Darius's life, and is puzzled when Darius ...More

Edwin knows nothing of the role that Mr Shushions played in Darius's life, and is puzzled when Darius returns from his funeral in a state of shock. But subsequent events force new responsibilities on Edwin...Less

60mins 1976-03-25

14. The Glorious Jubilee

Edwin has been told that his father had no more than two years to live. More than one of those years h...More

Edwin has been told that his father had no more than two years to live. More than one of those years has now passed - and Edwin has assumed complete control of the family business.Less

60mins 1976-04-01

15. The Chain is Broken

Darius Clayhanger is close to death and lets it be known that Edwin will inherit the whole of his busi...More

Darius Clayhanger is close to death and lets it be known that Edwin will inherit the whole of his business. As one chapter closes in Edwin's life, another opens. He meets Hilda's son.Less

60mins 1976-04-08

16. The Adventure

Hilda's son arrives to stay with the Orgreaves. Janet tells Edwin that Hilda is now a widow.... and al...More

Hilda's son arrives to stay with the Orgreaves. Janet tells Edwin that Hilda is now a widow.... and all his old feelings for Hilda are re-awakened.Less

60mins 1976-04-15

17. Epidemic

Edwin has visited Hilda in Brighton, and has been told that he husband is, in fact, still alive.

Edwin has visited Hilda in Brighton, and has been told that he husband is, in fact, still alive.Less

60mins 1976-04-22

18. The Exquisite Burden

Hilda has told Edwin that she was never married to Cannon. Ignoring the hostility of Five Towns 'socie...More

Hilda has told Edwin that she was never married to Cannon. Ignoring the hostility of Five Towns 'society', Edwin asks her to marry him.Less

60mins 1976-04-29

19. Possessions

Edwin and Hilda have finally given a formal 'At Home' to celebrate their marriage - and Bursley seems ...More

Edwin and Hilda have finally given a formal 'At Home' to celebrate their marriage - and Bursley seems to have accepted them. Hilda feels safe and financially secure, but Edwin is already making new plans for the business....Less

60mins 1976-05-06

20. A Musical Evening

Hilda and Edwin have quarrelled about Edwin's plans to build a new printing works - he has not yet tol...More

Hilda and Edwin have quarrelled about Edwin's plans to build a new printing works - he has not yet told her that he already made an offer for the land.Less

60mins 1976-05-13

21. The Orgreave Calamity

Hilda is continuing to oppose Edwin's plans to extend the printing business.

Hilda is continuing to oppose Edwin's plans to extend the printing business.Less

60mins 1976-05-20

22. Dartmoor

Hilda once again sees the man she thought she loved, but they cannot speak. George Cannon is a prisone...More

Hilda once again sees the man she thought she loved, but they cannot speak. George Cannon is a prisoner in Dartmoor.Less

60mins 1976-05-27

23. Prisoners

After their brief glimpse of George Cannon in Dartmoor prison, Edwin and Hilda return to the Five Town...More

After their brief glimpse of George Cannon in Dartmoor prison, Edwin and Hilda return to the Five Towns. Not long after, George Cannon is released....Less

60mins 1976-06-03

24. Fall From Glory

Edwin is furious when Hilda insists on taking her son to London to visit an eye specialist. All the Cl...More

Edwin is furious when Hilda insists on taking her son to London to visit an eye specialist. All the Clayhanger servants have left, and Edwin is forced to stay with Auntie Hamps.Less

60mins 1976-06-10

25. Death and Dreams

Hilda remains in London while Edwin stays on with Auntie Hamps, who is seriously ill. To add to Edwin'...More

Hilda remains in London while Edwin stays on with Auntie Hamps, who is seriously ill. To add to Edwin's gloom, Ingpen has had a serious accident at the Benbow works and is not expected to live.Less