The Old Wives' Tale Episode Guide

Episode Guide

• Season 1 Episode 15: Endings

  Sophia's visit to her dying husband sets in motion a chain of events which lead to her own demise, leaving Constance all alone. Final part of Arnold Bennett's tale, starring Marcia Warren, Penelope Wilton and Jim Pyke. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 14: Hotel Life

  Sophia persuades Constance to go on holiday with her to Buxton, but on their return they are greeted by alarming news about Gerald. Arnold Bennett's tale of two sisters in a small provincial town, starring Penelope Wilton. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 13: The Meeting

  By Arnold Bennett. Constance and Sophia are at last reunited, but Sophia soon feels stifled to be back in Bursley. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 12: Frensham's

  Part 12 of Arnold Bennett's novel. It's 1895, and Constance learns that her sister Sophia is a successful hotel proprietor in Paris. With Penelope Wilton, Marcia Warren and Philip Jackson. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 11: The Proudest Mother

  By Arnold Bennett. Constance is devoted to her 19-year-old son, but is not prepared for the alarming news he has for her. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 10: The Siege

  Sophia turns her back on a declaration of love to set herself up as a respectable landlady amid the turbulent Siege of Paris in 1870. Arnold Bennett's tale, starring Katy Cavanagh and Tom Smith. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 9: Justice

  Samuel's health deteriorates as he campaigns for the release of his imprisoned cousin Daniel, causing his wife to grow increasingly anxious. Arnold Bennett's tale, starring Gillian Kearney and Ian Dunn. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 8: Crisis

  By Arnold Bennett. After 10 years in Paris, Gerald has squandered his inheritance and his marriage is hanging by a thread. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 7: Crime

  Constance and Sam receive a cryptic Christmas card from the exiled Sophia. Part seven of Arnold Bennett's tale, dramatised by Stephen Wyatt, starring Gillian Kearney and Ian Dunn. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 6: The Elopement

  By Arnold Bennett. Sophia escapes to London with her lover

• Season 1 Episode 5: The Defeat

  Mrs Baines resolves to put a stop to Sophia's illicit affair with Gerald Scales. Arnold Bennett's tale, dramatised by Stephen Wyatt, starring Gillian Kearney and Philip Jackson. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 4: The Traveller

  Salesman Gerald Scales turns up on the Baines' doorstep on a snowy New Year's Day. Gillian Kearney, Katy Cavanagh and Philip Jackson star in Arnold Bennett's tale. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 3: Elephant

  While everyone in the town rushes out to see a dead elephant, Sophia is left at home to care for her father, but in the process, she learns she has an admirer. By Arnold Bennett. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 2: A Battle

  Stephen Wyatt's dramatisation of Arnold Bennett's classic tale of two small-town sisters. The time has come for Constance and Sophia to leave school, but the latter has ambitions beyond working in the family shop. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour

• Season 1 Episode 1: The Tooth

  Arnold Bennett's tale of two small-town sisters, who are divided when one elopes to Paris with an unscrupulous adventurer, while the other stays at home to raise an unruly son. In the first instalment, Sam has toothache. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour