About this season
After Henry is a British sitcom written by Simon Brett, and starring Prunella Scales and Joan Sanderson. Originating as a radio programme on BBC Radio 4 from 1985 to 1989, it was adapted for television by Thames Television. Sarah is the 42-year-old widow of GP Henry France. She lives in an often volatile family situation with her elderly mother Eleanor Prescott, and her daughter, 18-year-old Clare, with both of whom she shares a house. Following Henry's death, the family have to find a way to cope with each other as best they can. The BBC was initially hesitant to produce a series but after three successful runs on BBC Radio 4, it was commissioned for the small screen. The series was surprisingly popular, attracting over 14 million viewers. Four seasons were made, with the last transmitted after the death of Sanderson, who died on 24 May 1992.
Episodes (13)
1. Intellectual Aspirations
Aired 17 January 1989 • 30 min
Clare gets into an intellectual challenge with her new boyfriend whom she believes to be terribly brainy. Eleanor decides it's a contest she can't be left out of.
2. Open Secrets
Aired 24 January 1989 • 30 min
When Sarah is invited out for lunch by a man, she has to make contingency plans to prevent her mother's 'Geriatric Mafia' finding out about it.
3. Memory Games
Aired 31 January 1989 • 30 min
It's quiz night and Clare and Eleanor are in opposing teams, while Sarah seems to be having problems with the accuracy of her memory.
4. The Cold
Aired 7 February 1989 • 30 min
Sarah feels lousy, but in her family she's last on the list of casualties allowed to be treated if other people feel ill as well.
5. Wedding Bells
Aired 7 February 1989 • 30 min
Eleanor wants to have a family wedding because she has heard that Vera Polling is having one and that, of course, puts the pressure on Sarah and Clare.
6. Lines of Communication
Aired 7 March 1989 • 30 min
Sarah and Eleanor have fallen out and there seems little chance of a reconciliation. But Clare decides to use one of her old school games to alleviate the problem.
7. Gossip
Aired 14 March 1989 • 30 min
Sarah is accused of scandal-mongering after inadvertently starting a rumour about the pension counter's sister.
8. Out on a Limb
Aired 14 March 1989 • 30 min
With Eleanor off to the Bridge Club dinner and dance with Vera Polling, Sarah decides to invite Dr. Sam Greenland over for a quiet dinner but things do not go according to plan.
9. Upstagers
Aired 21 March 1989 • 30 min
With Eleanor off to the Bridge Club dinner and dance with Vera Polling, Sarah decides to invite Dr Sam Greenland over for a quiet dinner. But the best laid plans...
10. Idle Speculation
Aired 28 March 1989 • 30 min
Sarah, Eleanor and Clare are enlisted by the local amateur dramatic society when it suddenly loses its leading players.
11. Efficiency
Aired 4 April 1989 • 30 min
Eleanor is left in charge of the bookshop when Russell and Sarah go off for a special lunch. She initiates an efficiency drive, which goes badly wrong.
12. Going Away
Aired 11 April 1989 • 30 min
Eleanor is left in charge of the bookshop when Russell and Sarah go off for a special lunch. She initiates an efficiency drive, which goes badly wrong.
13. A Week of Sundays
Aired 25 December 1989 • 30 min
Sarah makes plans to escape to Portugal for two weeks with her glamorous friend, Alison. But Eleanor brings all her emotional blackmailing skills to the fore to scupper the plans.