When the Boat Comes In
Series Overview
When the Boat Comes In is a British television period drama produced by the BBC between 8 January 1976 and 21 April 1981. Taking place between 1919 to 1937, Jack Ford is a veteran of The Great War who returns to his poverty-stricken (fictional) town of Gallowshield in the North East of England. It dramatises the interwar political struggles of the 1920s and 1930s, and explores the impact of national and international politics upon Ford and those around him.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
4 Seasons • 51 Episodes
50 min per episode
1976 – 1981
Premiered: Thu, Jan 8, 1976
Latest Aired Episode
Season 4, Episode 10: “Roll of Honour”
Jack learns that Scott-Palliser plans to have him arrested for gun-running, so he sends Tania home and gets the ship's captain to put ashore elsewhere to avoid the Nationalist gunboat, taking steward Raoul Savory with him. Jessie's shocked to discover that Scott-Palliser has been financed by Stalin's government and plans to give the guns to the Communists and not the Socialists, whom he sees as traitors. Whilst keeping it from him, she and Jack reminisce of old times. Raoul, however, learns of Scott-Palliser's deceit and diverts the Communist convoy, though Scott-Palliser escapes. Jack, Jessie, Billy and Raoul outrun Franco's Moorish cavalry to get the guns to the Socialists but Scott-Palliser lies in wait for Jack.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Cast & Creators
Explore Star Directory →
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
James Mitchell
David Fanshawe
Sheila S. Tomlinson
David Maloney
Department Leadership Roster
David Maloney
Producer
Sheila S. Tomlinson
Editor
Christian Dyall
Costume Design
David Fanshawe
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
12: Suitable only for 12 years and over.
International Certification Matrix
Suitable only for 12 years and over.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for When the Boat Comes In.
Shows Similar to When the Boat Comes In
Series sharing comparable tone, character dynamics, and narrative themes
2.2
7.9
7.3
6.2
7.9
7.8
6.9
8.4
8.5
7.1
8.0
5.4
7.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
6.5
More Series Like When the Boat Comes In
Shows sharing similar genres, audiences, and storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions About When the Boat Comes In
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is When the Boat Comes In about?
When the Boat Comes In is a British television period drama produced by the BBC between 8 January 1976 and 21 April 1981. Taking place between 1919 to 1937, Jack Ford is a veteran of The Great War who returns to his poverty-stricken (fictional) town of Gallowshield in the North East of England. It dramatises the interwar political struggles of the 1920s and 1930s, and explores the impact of national and international politics upon Ford and those around him.
How many seasons does When the Boat Comes In have?
When the Boat Comes In comprises 4 seasons available to explore.
Who stars in When the Boat Comes In?
Key cast members in When the Boat Comes In include James Bolam.
Who created or directed When the Boat Comes In?
When the Boat Comes In was developed and directed by James Mitchell.