How a lost letter in 1953 sparked a decade of British television romance
In short: When a letter sent from Korea went astray, two lovers lost touch for 38 years. This accidental separation became the foundation for the beloved sitcom As Time Goes By, a series that captured the quiet, enduring charm of a second chance at love between a former nurse and a coffee planter.
The premise of As Time Goes By, which aired on BBC One from 1992 to 2005, hinges on a simple, life-altering mistake. In the summer of 1953, Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle fell in love, but their relationship was severed when Lionel was posted to Korea. Because his letter containing his mailing address never arrived, both assumed the other had lost interest. Jean moved on to marriage and motherhood, while Lionel emigrated to Kenya to work as a coffee planter. They did not reunite until decades later, when Lionel, having returned to England to write his memoirs, inadvertently hired Jean’s secretarial agency to type his manuscript.
The series was written by Bob Larbey and starred Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer as the central couple. While the show is remembered for its gentle romantic arc, it was also defined by its colorful supporting cast, including Lionel’s irrepressible father, Rocky, and his housekeeper, Mrs. Bale. The production faced early hurdles, including a last-minute title change from the original working title, Winter with Flowers, following protests from the cast. The final title was borrowed from the 1931 Herman Hupfeld song, which also provided the show’s iconic theme music.
Beyond its television run, the show achieved a surprising international longevity, particularly in the United States, where it became a staple of PBS pledge drives. The series was also adapted for BBC Radio 2, running for three series between 1997 and 1999 with the original television cast. Despite the show's success, it was almost fundamentally different; Jean Simmons was the original choice for the role of Jean, but she declined the part because she was unwilling to leave her life and family in California. The resulting chemistry between Dench and Palmer ultimately anchored the show through nine series and two final specials.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: As Time Goes By (TV series)
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