Play for Today: A Legendary Drama Series Returns to British Television
The Revival of a British Television Icon
In 2025, Channel 5 announced they would revive the series towards the end of that year for a new audience. This marks a significant moment for British television, as Play for Today returns after its original run on the BBC from 1970 to 1984. Channel 5 recently announced the return of the series, emphasising that the new Play for Today will provide a space to experiment for emerging creative talent, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. The revival demonstrates a renewed commitment to standalone television drama in an era dominated by long-form series and streaming content.
A Rich Legacy of British Drama
The original Play for Today holds a revered place in British television history. The series is generally remembered as a benchmark of high-quality British television drama, and in 2000, the British Film Institute produced a poll of industry professionals to determine the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes of the 20th century, and five of the programmes included in the final tally were from Play for Today. Writers who contributed plays to the series included Ian McEwan, John Osborne, Dennis Potter, Stephen Poliakoff, Sir David Hare, Willy Russell, Alan Bleasdale, Arthur Hopcraft, Alan Plater, Graham Reid, David Storey, Andrew Davies, Rhys Adrian and John Hopkins.
The 2025 Series Takes Shape
Following the previously announced pilot, 5 has announced today the first four commissions and casting that will form its new Play for Today slate, with LA Productions and Vertigo Films handed two one-hour orders respectively which are set to air on 5 later this year. The new dramas include Special Measures, examining pressures facing UK schools, and Never Too Late, a romantic comedy set in a retirement village. It’s also treated us to performances from established actors including Anita Dobson, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and the brilliant Sue Johnston.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Future
Channel 5 have ordered a second run of drama anthology strand Play For Today following its relaunch earlier this year, with the second run, due to air next year, consisting of six new stories. This commitment signals confidence in the format’s appeal to modern audiences. While some viewers note the new series differs from the groundbreaking original, the plays have been entertaining, and Play for Today always aimed to showcase new talent, and from a writer’s perspective, it’s done exactly that. For British television, the return of Play for Today represents both a tribute to the medium’s golden age and an investment in its future, offering opportunities for emerging storytellers while delivering quality standalone drama to contemporary audiences.