The Man in Room 17
Series Overview
The Man in Room 17 is a British television series which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960s, produced by the Northern ITV franchise, Granada Television. Key to the series' success was the involvement of writer/producer Robin Chapman. The show was set in Room 17 of the Department of Social Research, where former wartime agent-turned-criminologist Edwin Oldenshaw solved difficult police cases through theory and discussions with his assistants. The novelty of the series was that Oldenshaw and his colleagues never needed to leave their office in order to resolve cases, preferring to spend their time playing the Japanese board game of Go. They simply provided their prognosis and left the police to do the cleaning up. Different directors were often appointed to film the Room 17 and outside-world scenes independently, to maintain a sense of distance between the two worlds.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
2 Seasons • 26 Episodes
50 min per episode
1965 – Present
Premiered: Fri, Jun 11, 1965
Latest Aired Episode
Season 2, Episode 13: “Never Fall Down”
A public figure has been indiscreet, but his ability as an advisor to the Government is undisputed. The men in Room 17 eventually realise there is only one solution open to them.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Cast & Creators
Explore Star Directory →
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Robin Chapman
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Man in Room 17.
More Series Like The Man in Room 17
Shows sharing similar genres, audiences, and storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Man in Room 17
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is The Man in Room 17 about?
The Man in Room 17 is a British television series which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960s, produced by the Northern ITV franchise, Granada Television. Key to the series' success was the involvement of writer/producer Robin Chapman. The show was set in Room 17 of the Department of Social Research, where former wartime agent-turned-criminologist Edwin Oldenshaw solved difficult police cases through theory and discussions with his assistants. The novelty of the series was that Oldenshaw and his colleagues never needed to leave their office in order to resolve cases, preferring to spend their time playing the Japanese board game of Go. They simply provided their prognosis and left the police to do the cleaning up. Different directors were often appointed to film the Room 17 and outside-world scenes independently, to maintain a sense of distance between the two worlds.
How many seasons does The Man in Room 17 have?
The Man in Room 17 comprises 2 seasons available to explore.
Who stars in The Man in Room 17?
Key cast members in The Man in Room 17 include Richard Vernon, Denholm Elliott.
Who created or directed The Man in Room 17?
The Man in Room 17 was developed and directed by Robin Chapman.