TV Show

TV-PG

71%

Rumpole of the Bailey

TV's Best Loved Barrister

DramaComedyCrime

Rumpole of the Bailey is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It stars Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an aging London barrister who defends any and all clients, and has been spun off into a series of short stories, novels, and radio programmes.

Dec 17, 19757 seasons42 episodesEndedEN

Start Watching

Cast spotlight

Jump into full cast pages for bio, socials, and recent work.

Leo McKern

Horace Rumpole

View profile

Marion Mathie

Hilda Rumpole

View profile

Seasons

Season 1

6 episodes

Premiered Apr 3, 1978

Season 2

6 episodes

Premiered May 29, 1979

Season 3

6 episodes

Premiered Oct 11, 1983

Season 4

6 episodes

Premiered Jan 19, 1987

Season 5

6 episodes

Premiered Nov 23, 1988

Season 6

6 episodes

Premiered Oct 28, 1991

Season 7

6 episodes

Premiered Oct 29, 1992

Episodes

1–6 of 6

No preview

Ep 1

Rumpole and the Younger Generation

Apr 3, 1978

60m

Rumpole defends young Jim Timson, who has been grassed up for robbery with violence by 'Peanuts' Molloy - one of a rival gang of East End villains with whom the Timsons have an ancient feud. Unhappily, Jim's only alibi rests upon a junior member of the Molloy family. Meanwhile, Rumpole is having trouble communicating with his own son, Nick. He is also vexed by the question of who will be the new Head of Chambers at Number 3, Equity Court. Might he dare to dream that it could be him?

No preview

Ep 2

Rumpole and the Alternative Society

Apr 10, 1978

60m

Rumpole is in the west of England to visit an old friend from his days in the Royal Air Force, Sam ('Three Fingers') Dogherty, and to defend Kathy Trelawney, who is charged with selling cannabis to a police agent provocateur.

No preview

Ep 3

Rumpole and the Honourable Member

Apr 17, 1978

60m

Rumpole defends Ken Aspen, a politician accused of raping a party worker. The defendant admits there was intercourse but claims it was consensual, and Rumpole believes he has found a strong line of defense.Meanwhile, Rumpole's favorite clerk has been accused of stealing from the petty cash at Number 3, Equity Court...

No preview

Ep 4

Rumpole and the Married Lady

Apr 24, 1978

60m

Rumpole defends a woman (Mrs Thripp) in a divorce action brought by her husband, claiming infidelity. She Who Must Be Obeyed (Mrs Rumpole) forms the opinion that her husband has a mistress - with curious results. Meanwhile, the aggrieved Thripp has begun a battle of notes.

No preview

Ep 5

Rumpole and the Learned Friends

May 1, 1978

60m

Guthrie Featherstone, with Rumpole as his junior, defends a safe-cracker who claims to have been framed by the notorious Inspector ""Dirty"" Dickerson. Rumpole risks his reputation by attacking police corruption before a police-friendly judge - and as a result he finds himself called to a disciplinary hearing. There is even the possibility that Rumpole may be forced to retire, but he digs his toes in.

No preview

Ep 6

Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade

May 15, 1978

60m

Rumpole is busy defending the youngest son of a family of villains on a murder charge. His client has all the evidence stacked against him, but meanwhile it is Rumpole's battered old bowler which is becoming the focus of bemused attention in chambers and beyondHilda has made up her mind that Rumpole is to take her to the Scales of Justice Ball. Perhaps a new hat and an acquittal at the Old Bailey will get him in the mood for dancing?