The Beiderbecke Tapes
Series Overview
The Beiderbecke Tapes is a two-part 1987 British television comedy-drama serial written by Alan Plater. The second installment in The Beiderbecke Trilogy, it stars James Bolam and Barbara Flynn as schoolteachers Trevor Chaplin and Jill Swinburne. When a tape recording of a conversation about nuclear waste inadvertently falls into Chaplin's hands, he and Swinburne find themselves being pursued by national security agents.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
1 Season • 2 Episodes
90 min per episode
1987 – 1987
Premiered: Sun, Dec 13, 1987
Latest Aired Episode
Season 1, Episode 2: “Part 2”
Trevor and Jill go on a trip to Amsterdam with their class from "San Quentin High" - but the class has decamped. Trevor and Jill meet "The Honourable Order of Elks" who are "looking for a bit of action". Jill & Trevor find their action in Edinburgh. The gray men get attacked by a bagpipe band but Jill & Trevor have to go home where they find that the jazz tape with no jazz wasn't all it seemed.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Cast & Creators
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Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Alan Plater
Alan Plater
Frank Ricotti
Peter Jackson
David Aspinall
Michael Glynn, David Cunliffe
Department Leadership Roster
Michael Glynn
Producer
Frank Ricotti
Original Music Composer
Peter Jackson
Director of Photography
David Aspinall
Editor
Peter Kindred
Production Design
Brian Castle
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Beiderbecke Tapes.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Beiderbecke Tapes
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is The Beiderbecke Tapes about?
The Beiderbecke Tapes is a two-part 1987 British television comedy-drama serial written by Alan Plater. The second installment in The Beiderbecke Trilogy, it stars James Bolam and Barbara Flynn as schoolteachers Trevor Chaplin and Jill Swinburne. When a tape recording of a conversation about nuclear waste inadvertently falls into Chaplin's hands, he and Swinburne find themselves being pursued by national security agents.
How many seasons does The Beiderbecke Tapes have?
The Beiderbecke Tapes comprises 1 season available to explore.
Who stars in The Beiderbecke Tapes?
Key cast members in The Beiderbecke Tapes include James Bolam, Barbara Flynn, Dudley Sutton, Malcolm Storry, Keith Smith.
Who created or directed The Beiderbecke Tapes?
The Beiderbecke Tapes was developed and directed by Alan Plater.