South Riding
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About
Headmistress Sarah Burton, a left-wing feminist, is disgusted by the social injustices faced by her pupils. In spite of her beliefs, she reluctantly finds herself falling in love with a Tory landowner whose wife is suffering from insanity.
Cast
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
The Powers That Be
Sarah Burton returns to her childhood home after many years away to apply for the new vacant position of headmistress at the local school. Her personality wins over many people, but at least one of the school governors, Robert Carne, is against her appointment for reasons at first unclear. He is a landowner who recently lost the vote to become the new MP there, but Robert has his own troubles with a wife in a mental home and a daughter that has started to show signs of mental instability. He is just one of many people that Sarah Burton will encounter in the poverty stricken area of South Riding.
A Land of Hope and Glory?
Sarah checks out her new school and teachers ready for the term to come, but is less than impressed by both the conditions of the building and the staff's lack approach to teaching. She also checks out the other pupils that will be attending there when she goes to a local stage production, where she encounters the Holly family, a family of nine who live in caravan type slums and who one of their daughter is rushed in to hospital with suspected appendicitis. The eldest daughter Lydia befriends the new neighbours Fred and Nancy Mitchell, who have had to move there when money became tight. While Nancy is snobbish about the area, Fred encourages Lydia's love for literature.
Those For and Those Against
Sarah has her first meeting with Joe Astell, newly elected Alderman of the area at the local Jumble Sale and discovers they are like minds on many things. Anthony Snaith has hopes that his plan for the new road and development will go through, despite opposition from some locals, including former Alderman Robert Carne. But he has troubles of his own with his wife in a mental home and costs spiraling and things take a turn for the worst at the local hunt. Meanwhile councillor and vicar Alfred Huggins' sins come back to haunt him when Bessie Warbuckle has a startling revelation for him.
A Time to Live and a Time to Die
Sarah Burton is determined to secure improvements for her school building as term time begins and attracts the notice of councillor and vicar Alfred Huggins in her bid to gain funding. Pupil Lydia Holly is also gaining notice, especially for her school work, which rises hopes for Sarah as a possible promising pupil, but a sudden turn of events at home threatens those prospects. And a harsh winter for 1932 devastates much of the community, including local squire farmer Robert Carne, who Sarah finally meets properly when she is on hand to help when one of his cows goes into labour.
The Facts of Life
It's Easter 1933 now, and squire Robert Carne is reduced to selling the family heirlooms to make ends meet as his farming business continues to struggle. Sarah discovers why Lydia Holly's schoolwork has deteriorated when she learns that her mother has died and she is now having to raise her siblings. Determined to do something for a girl with promise she lobbies Mrs Beddows into doing something, but she is in for a surprise. Tom Sawdon, landlord of The Nag's Head, has bought his wife Lily and Alsatian dog to keep her company but she struggles to cope with it and goes to extreme methods in her way to get rid of it. And there is worse to come for South Riding when an outbreak of measles hits the community.
In Sickness and in Health
The measles outbreak continues to affect the community, with the young especially at risk. Fred Mitchell receives a letter from his old employer asking to see him, leaving to hopes of his job back, but while he leaves his wife Nancy's mother turns up to visit and try to persuade her to come home with her. Meanwhile Lydia continues to struggle to look after her father and young siblings, but sees a chance to visit her local dance class when going into town with sister Gertie, who has been sent home from school. She asks neighbour Nancy Mitchell to look after her youngest sibling while she is gone, little realizing that her actions could have grave repercussions.
Dreams and Destinations
Tensions and recriminations begin to run high at the school among the staff, while Sarah Burton looks at the possibility of laying off a couple of the staff. Agnes Sigglesthwaite, the oldest and longest serving there, lacks discipline in her class but surprises Sarah with her life story and past history. But Midge Carne has plans with the girls for a little game of her own that threaten Agnes' career. South Riding holds the annual fete, where Robert Carne hopes to win the show jumping cup for another year, while Sarah meets the enigmatic Anthony Snaith for the very first time.
Beggars and Choosers
Squire Robert Carne is stunned when he finds the bank will lend him no more money, while attempts to raise money elsewhere fall embarrassingly flat. But many in South Riding are struggling for money during the Great Depression. Fred Mitchell finds himself unemployed by his Insurance firm, much to his wife's dismay, who is even more distraught at the prospect of him putting in for Public Assistance to the local council. Barney Holly also finds himself without a job after pub landlord Tom Sawdon finally tires of his lax work ethics, but both later receive devastating news. And lay preacher Alfred Huggins receives an unexpected and unwelcome visitor as old sins come back to haunt him.
Where does South Riding rank today?
South Riding is #6278 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
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Watch South Riding Online Free — All Episodes in HD
If you've been searching for South Riding all episodes in HD, Bowood.TV has you covered. This highly acclaimed English drama title from 1974 is available to stream instantly — no ads to fight through, no paid subscriptions, no annoying redirects.
About South Riding
Headmistress Sarah Burton, a left-wing feminist, is disgusted by the social injustices faced by her pupils. In spite of her beliefs, she reluctantly finds herself falling in love with a Tory landowner whose wife is suffering from insanity. Across 1 season and 13 episodes.
South Riding Cast and Characters
The cast features Dorothy Tutin (as Sarah Burton), Hermione Baddeley (as Mrs. Beddows), Nigel Davenport (as Robert Carne), Judi Bowker (as Midge Carne), and Clive Swift (as Alfred E. Huggins). Their performances are a major reason South Riding has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch South Riding Online
Want to watch South Riding online without paying? Bowood.TV is the easiest way. Click play and the series starts in seconds. No popups, no "5 day trial that auto-charges" — just the show.
▶ Watch South Riding NowWhy People Are Watching South Riding
There's a reason South Riding keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is emotional weight that hits where it counts. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about South Riding
Where can I watch South Riding online for free?
You can watch South Riding online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does South Riding have?
South Riding has 13 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is South Riding good? What's the rating?
South Riding holds a 9.0/10 rating based on 1 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of South Riding?
The main cast includes Dorothy Tutin, Hermione Baddeley, Nigel Davenport, and Judi Bowker, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is South Riding available in English?
Yes — South Riding was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was South Riding released?
South Riding first aired in 1974.
Do I need an account to watch South Riding on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch South Riding without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch South Riding for free?
You can watch South Riding online for free on Bowood.TV. All 13 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does South Riding have?
South Riding currently has 1 season and a total of 13 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is South Riding about?
Headmistress Sarah Burton, a left-wing feminist, is disgusted by the social injustices faced by her pupils. In spite of her beliefs, she reluctantly finds herself falling in love with a Tory landowner whose wife is suffering from insanity. It belongs to the Drama genre.
In which language is South Riding originally available?
South Riding was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was South Riding first released?
South Riding first premiered on September 16, 1974 (1974). The series has since concluded its run.
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