Armchair Thriller

Suspense and mystery-themed anthology series.

Cast:Frank Duncan , James Bolam , Maria Aitken , Zena Walker , John Shrapnel , Benjamin Whitrow , Renée Asherson , Alan David , Beth Morris , Brian Stirner , Michael Deeks , Clive Merrison , James Hazeldine , Paul Angelis , Paul Jerricho , Prentis Hancock , David Beckett , Godfrey James

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Rachel in Danger: Part 1

Mon, Feb 20, 1978

Ten-year-old Rachel is sent to live with her estranged father. However, just hours before her arrival, her father is murdered and his identity stolen by a terrorist.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ Rachel in Danger: Part 2

Wed, Feb 22, 1978

Rachel meets her supposed stepmother--in reality, another member of a terrorist group with plans for the upcoming Royal Garden Party at the palace. The conspirators are divided over whether to dispose of Rachel or use her as a front.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ Rachel in Danger: Part 3

Mon, Feb 27, 1978

One of the team gets cold feet about killing a kid. Left to her own devices, Rachel tries to get a message to the police. She seizes her chance on a shopping outing for the next day's royal event.

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ Rachel in Danger: Part 4

Wed, Mar 1, 1978

Too late, the police uncover the plot against the palace. Rachel's "father" has his target in his sights, while her "stepmother" has her hands on the girl's throat. Unable to rely on the adults in her world, Rachel must find a way to save herself.

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ A Dog's Ransom: Part 1

Mon, Mar 6, 1978

A quiet, middle-aged couple living in Chelsea start to receive threatening letters through the post - and then things take a sinister turn as their beloved poodle, Tina, is kidnapped. Should they comply and pay up the ransom?

6Season 1

S1.E6 ∙ A Dog's Ransom: Part 2

Wed, Mar 8, 1978

Despite complying with the kidnapper's demands, Tina isn't safely returned to her owners as agreed. A smart young copper from the local force (who took the couple's problem seriously) decides to investigate - despite the indifference and cynicism of his police colleagues.

7Season 1

S1.E7 ∙ A Dog's Ransom: Part 3

Mon, Mar 13, 1978

Thanks to Clarence's intervention, the dog kidnapper is apprehended and charged. But the CID officers' cynicism towards the case continues, leaving Clarence in a position of distrust, and the dog's owners vulnerable.

8Season 1

S1.E8 ∙ A Dog's Ransom: Part 4

Wed, Mar 15, 1978

Clarence is suspended from the police after accepting an alleged bribe from the bailed Kowajinski, and his girlfriend is being targeted by him (and the police) now too. After spotting Kowajinski spying on her flat, Clarence has had enough, and follows him to finally confront him.

9Season 1

S1.E9 ∙ A Dog's Ransom: Part 5

Mon, Mar 20, 1978

Clarence found Kowajinski and attacked him in a fit of rage - before he himself was attacked and hospitalised by a group of hooligans the same night. With Kowajinski now dead, and the bribery charges dropped, he is living with the Reynoldses after being dumped by Marion. But, as police investigation into Kowajinski's death increases, Clarence is left to his fate.

10Season 1

S1.E10 ∙ A Dog's Ransom: Part 6

Wed, Mar 22, 1978

The police investigation into Kowajinski's death continues, with Clarence still their number one suspect. After a night of intense interrogation, they finally let him go - but is it really the end?

11Season 1

S1.E11 ∙ The Girl Who Walked Quickly: Part 1

Mon, Mar 27, 1978

A man is kidnapped and brainwashed by political extremists.

12Season 1

S1.E12 ∙ The Girl Who Walked Quickly: Part 2

Wed, Mar 29, 1978

While Dave's girlfriend and his tutor desperately make inquiries to solve his disappearance, the political group who have brainwashed him send him out to do their dirty work - or is it just a dress rehearsal for what's really being planned?

13Season 1

S1.E13 ∙ The Girl Who Walked Quickly: Part 3

Mon, Apr 3, 1978

Dave panics, leaving the cigarette pack bomb in the hotel lift and goes on the run - meanwhile, his girlfriend and tutor are arrested as the police close in. The 'girl' picks up a confused Dave in the countryside - what are her motives?

14Season 1

S1.E14 ∙ The Girl Who Walked Quickly: Part 4

Wed, Apr 5, 1978

The 'girl' panics as the police close in, and holes up with Dave in an empty house - pretending they have a hostage to buy themselves time. But will Dave's mental state be their undoing?

15Season 1

S1.E15 ∙ Quiet as a Nun: Part 1: The Tower

Mon, Apr 10, 1978

A reporter is asked to look into the mysterious death of a nun who died in a locked room at a convent.

16Season 1

S1.E16 ∙ Quiet as a Nun: Part 2: The Chapel

Wed, Apr 12, 1978

Shore learns that Sister Miriam had recently inherited a fortune. While one nun warns Shore to get out while she can, another is all too eager to confide her suspicions.

17Season 1

S1.E17 ∙ Quiet as a Nun: Part 3: The Black Nun

Mon, Apr 17, 1978

Shore hears of an apparition that haunts the hallways at night and seems to portend death. Flashlight in hand, she goes off in search of the "Black Nun."

18Season 1

S1.E18 ∙ Quiet as a Nun: Part 4: Witness and Wills

Wed, Apr 19, 1978

The schoolgirls speculate that Sister Miriam wanted to leave the convent and had recently changed her will.

19Season 1

S1.E19 ∙ Quiet as a Nun: Part 5: Powers of Darkness

Mon, Apr 24, 1978

Shore finds an underground passageway from the crypt to the tower and discovers a link between the dead nun and a missing schoolgirl. Unfortunately, the Black Nun is also on the hunt.

20Season 1

S1.E20 ∙ Quiet as a Nun: Part 6: Death and Decision

Wed, Apr 26, 1978

With Shore's life in danger and the future of the convent at risk, help arrives from an unexpected source.

21Season 1

S1.E21 ∙ The Limbo Connection: Part 1

Mon, May 1, 1978

After a bout of heavy drinking, Mark Omney cannot account for his movements over the last 12 hours. When he sobers up, he learns that his wife Clare, has had a car accident.

22Season 1

S1.E22 ∙ The Limbo Connection: Part 2

Wed, May 3, 1978

Omney suspects that Clare is being held against her will at Meadowbank Clinic. Or has she finally left him, sick of his drunken and aggressive behavior?

23Season 1

S1.E23 ∙ The Limbo Connection: Part 3

Mon, May 8, 1978

For help, Omney turns to Annabelle Fraser, his old girlfriend. He is convinced that a conspiracy is afoot--and that Clare is sending him covert messages.

24Season 1

S1.E24 ∙ The Limbo Connection: Part 4

Wed, May 10, 1978

Omney attends the funeral of one of the clinic's former residents, suspecting his wife's body lies inside the coffin. Later that night, he and Annabelle return to find out for themselves.

25Season 1

S1.E25 ∙ The Limbo Connection: Part 5

Mon, May 15, 1978

The police catch Omney red-handed, and a deadly attack leaves him with only one way out.

26Season 1

S1.E26 ∙ The Limbo Connection: Part 6

Wed, May 17, 1978

Omney turns up the heat on Meadowbank, which is forced into the most desperate of measures.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ The Victim: Part 1

Mon, Jan 7, 1980

When kidnappers abduct his teenage daughter, Sue, industrialist Vincent Craig could easily raise the ransom money. But Craig intends to do things his own way.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ The Victim: Part 2

Wed, Jan 9, 1980

Craig believes he knows who is behind the kidnapping--and that the motives are personal, not financial. Shaking off the police, he heads to the town of Hepton to begin his search.

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ The Victim: Part 3

Mon, Jan 14, 1980

Enlisting the help of a local crime reporter, Craig tracks down a disgruntled ex-employee named George Neecham.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ The Victim: Part 4

Wed, Jan 16, 1980

While Craig's desperation mounts in his search, Sue seems to become increasingly comfortable with her kidnappers - especially with the young man Frankie.

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ The Victim: Part 5

Mon, Jan 21, 1980

Detectives trace Craig to Hepton, but he has moved on to the abandoned factory where his daughter is being held.

6Season 2

S2.E6 ∙ The Victim: Part 6

Wed, Jan 23, 1980

Craig finally confronts his daughter's captors in their hideout, but Sue - very much her father's daughter - does the unexpected.

7Season 2

S2.E7 ∙ Dead Man's Kit: Part 1

Mon, Jan 28, 1980

After shore-leave in Lisbon for the crew of HMS Diana, Master-at-Arms 'Toby' Toberman makes an official complaint to the ship's Captain about the behaviour of an officer he saw in a casino. Following the ship's 'Sod's Opera' party, Toby is reported missing from the deck - presumed lost overboard. Was it an accident or suicide - or was he given the proverbial push?

8Season 2

S2.E8 ∙ Dead Man's Kit: Part 2

Wed, Jan 30, 1980

With the ship now docked back at Portsmouth, Toby's friend 'Chalky' White is determined to find out the truth. He returns Toby's personal effects to his widow Jean, but the diary is still missing. They both attend the navy's inquest, but it leaves more questions than answers. Back at Jean's house, a letter from Toby arrives - posted when he was in Lisbon, and backing up his concerns about Kobahl and the casino. Chalky visits Kobahl's girlfriend - and also gets his Wren girlfriend Stephanie to do some digging.

9Season 2

S2.E9 ∙ Dead Man's Kit: Part 3

Mon, Feb 4, 1980

Chalky visits Zoë, the girl who seemed to be supplying Kobahl with the money he was losing at the casino. Meanwhile, Steph appears to be in cahoots with whoever is responsible for the cover-up. Chalky nearly becomes the victim of a hit-and-run - and then finds that he's now involved with a plot concerning Naval Intelligence's investigations into Kobahl, and his selling of MOD secrets into enemy hands. When they use him in a sting to try and catch Kobahl, things take on an even more sinister turn.

10Season 2

S2.E10 ∙ Dead Man's Kit: Part 4

Wed, Feb 6, 1980

Chalky manages to escape being shot by a gunman in a passing car, but then goes on to find Zoe's body in her flat, the victim of murder. Kobahl appears to have gone to ground, though he soon reappears, determined to find Toby's letter - which is hidden in Chalky's house. Later, Kobahl takes Jean hostage, hoping to use her as insurance in his getaway, as he plans to make his escape to Russia by ship.

11Season 2

S2.E11 ∙ Dying Day: Part 1: Mr. Skipling is Sentenced to Death

Mon, Feb 11, 1980

A lonely man with punctilious habits listens to a tape cassette of ambient barroom sounds, which include the hushed tones of two men plotting to kill him; but when a policeman listens, all the sounds are there except those of the two men.

12Season 2

S2.E12 ∙ Dying Day: Part 2: Mr. Skipling Finds a Friend

Wed, Feb 13, 1980

The police disbelieve Skipling's story of the man bleeding from the eyes. Later, Skipling receives an unwanted visit from a doctor and a welcome visit from his "befriender".

13Season 2

S2.E13 ∙ Dying Day: Part 3: Mr. Skipling Fights Back

Mon, Feb 18, 1980

Skipling finds more fuel for his imagination in the new husband of his bigamous wife.

14Season 2

S2.E14 ∙ Dying Day: Part 4: Mr. Skipling's Day of Reckoning

Wed, Feb 20, 1980

Skipling braces himself as the fateful day of February 28 approaches.

15Season 2

S2.E15 ∙ Fear of God: Part 1: A Question of Gravity

Mon, Feb 25, 1980

A journalist finds his life is in danger when he investigates the death of a woman who was involved with a religious cult - throwing herself from the roof of the building where he is also living in an apartment.

16Season 2

S2.E16 ∙ Fear of God: Part 2: The Noise

Wed, Feb 27, 1980

Paul attends Rosamund's funeral, which is also attended by a leader of the Regiment of God sect - the cult she belonged to. At the service, he meets her sister, Nicola - whom he arranges to meet later to share information. Finding his flat bugged, and hearing of the cult's use of sound as a weapon, Paul is drawn deeper into the mystery of Rosamund's death.

17Season 2

S2.E17 ∙ Fear of God: Part 3: The Music Room

Mon, Mar 3, 1980

Paul is 'attacked' by a mysterious noise in his flat, but manages to make a recording of it before finally passing out. He feels there's a link to this and the 'music room' of the Regiment of God mentioned in Ros's diary - and also notices he's being covertly followed by cult members. He and Nicola track down Rosamund's boyfriend, and they all travel to the cult's HQ to try to find out the truth about her and the music room.

18Season 2

S2.E18 ∙ Fear of God: Part 4: Bang!

Wed, Mar 5, 1980

The Regiment of God are still desperate to retrieve Ros's notebook, and forcibly bring Paul and Nicola to the cult's HQ to hand it over. They then get to meet the cult's leader, who insists that Nicola return her sister's ashes to them, as her mortal remains are their property. With the police and the authorities now closing in on the dangerous cult, it seems that events will now lead to an explosive climax.

19Season 2

S2.E19 ∙ High Tide: Part 1

Mon, Mar 10, 1980

A man is released from prison for manslaughter, then heads to Cornwall to solve the mystery behind his victim's strangely cryptic last words.

20Season 2

S2.E20 ∙ High Tide: Part 2

Wed, Mar 12, 1980

Peter continues his road-trip to the coast - now accompanied by hitch-hiker Celia. He continues his enquiries, searching for the meaning of 'high tide 9:52' - Maxwell's last words. He buys a sailboat, with plans to sail east - still aware he's being tailed by the mysterious Matthews.

21Season 2

S2.E21 ∙ High Tide: Part 3

Mon, Mar 17, 1980

Peter sails to the lonely coastal house where he believes Maxwell was headed. It appears to be empty and derelict, but someone seems to be expecting him. He meets the mysterious Helen, and becomes enamoured with her - but could she be involved in what brought him here?

22Season 2

S2.E22 ∙ High Tide: Part 4

Wed, Mar 19, 1980

Following the death of Celia at the harbour, Peter is looking for answers - and worried as to Helen's welfare too. He visits her, and finally finds out the truth.

23Season 2

S2.E23 ∙ The Circe Complex: Part 1

Mon, Mar 24, 1980

Tom Foreman kills a policeman after stealing jewellery worth a fortune. Caught and incarcerated, he refuses to reveal the loot's whereabouts - even to prison psychiatrist Ollie Milton.

24Season 2

S2.E24 ∙ The Circe Complex: Part 2

Wed, Mar 26, 1980

Ollie and Tom's wife, Val, enlist the help of ex-con "Cat" Devlin in their plot to locate the hidden jewels.

25Season 2

S2.E25 ∙ The Circe Complex: Part 3

Mon, Mar 31, 1980

Ollie takes harsh measures to get Tom to talk, but things go dreadfully wrong. Cat realizes it's his word against that of the respected Dr. Milton.

26Season 2

S2.E26 ∙ The Circe Complex: Part 4

Wed, Apr 2, 1980

The case against Cat looks watertight, but Detective Bannister has doubts. Why does Cat stick so doggedly to his story--and insist his relationship with Val wasn't strictly business?

27Season 2

S2.E27 ∙ The Circe Complex: Part 5

Mon, Apr 7, 1980

Bannister remains suspicious about Tom's death but starts an affair with Val, who is more than happy to provide an easy out for the conflicted detective.

28Season 2

S2.E28 ∙ The Circe Complex: Part 6

Wed, Apr 9, 1980

Ollie finally learns where the jewels are stashed, but his quest to recover them spirals out of control.