The Borrowers

The Borrowers are small, 15cm high humans who live in the English hinterland. They live out their lives in mouse-hole sized nooks in human homes, and survive by 'borrowing' all they need from the house and its inhabitants. This series follows young girl Arriety, and her parents Pod and Homily, as they are displaced from their home and try to find a new home, with the help of a human boy, George.

Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama, Action & Adventure

Cast:Rebecca Callard , Penelope Wilton , Ian Holm , Paul Cross , Siân Phillips , Daniel Newman , Tony Haygarth , David Ryall , Ben Chaplin

1Season 1

Season 1, Episode 1

November 8, 1992

The first episode sets the scene and introduces us to the main characters and starts to show us what it is like to be only 15cm high. We find out that they are the only borrowers in the house and also meet the humans that co-inhabit the house. The first of a series of problems start with Pod 'being seen'. Arrietty, who has never been allowed out of their below the floorboards home, is introduced to the art of borrowing.

2Season 1

Season 1, Episode 2

November 15, 1992

While on a trip out Arrietty is seen. Thankfully this is by a young boy that is living in the house and he does not have the usual adult reaction to the borrowers. Unfortunately, his naivety later leads to problems but initially Arrietty asks him to deliver a letter to a place she hopes might hold another family of borrowers.

3Season 1

Season 1, Episode 3

November 22, 1992

Things look too good to be true with their new human friend bringing them more presents than they know what to do with. Unfortunately, it is too good and the family of borrowers is discovered and the rat catcher is called in.

4Season 1

Season 1, Episode 4

November 29, 1992

The first two thirds of this episode are a wonderfully crafted and tense escape sequence with the rat catcher on the job and poisonous gas being pumped into the wall cavities. The last third sees our family out in the big wide world, and when you are only 15cm high the world is very big indeed.

5Season 1

Season 1, Episode 5

December 6, 1992

The family have taken up refuge in an old boot that they have found in the forest. This is the base camp for Pod's excursions out to try and find another family of borrowers, one that is supposed to live in a badger's nest somewhere nearby. This episode introduces a new borrower, a young boy about Arrietty's age that lives in the forest.

6Season 1

Season 1, Episode 6

December 13, 1992

Things take a turn for the worse as the boot that the family is sleeping in is picked up by the rat catcher and taken back to his caravan. The young borrower from the forest and the young boy from the house have to join forces to attempt a rescue.

1Season 2

Season 2, Episode 1

November 14, 1993

The Clock family - Pod, Homily and Arrietty - make a new home for themselves with their relatives Uncle Hendreary, Aunt Lupy and Eggletina.

2Season 2

Season 2, Episode 2

November 21, 1993

Pod tells the Hendrearys that he and his family are leaving. Eggletina shows them a way out through the scullery drain, but as they make their way, a roaring wall of water rushes towards them.

3Season 2

Season 2, Episode 3

November 28, 1993

The Borrowers make camp in Spiller's kettle.

4Season 2

Season 2, Episode 4

December 5, 1993

Ditchly and Ilrick's pranks have got the better of them and Pod reminds them what being a Borrower means.

5Season 2

Season 2, Episode 5

December 12, 1993

Miss Menzies and George are delighted to find they both know about the Borrowers.

6Season 2

Season 2, Episode 6

December 19, 1993

Final episode in the adaptation of Mary Norton 's classic books. Imprisoned in an attic the Borrowers must escape. They have five days before the Platters are to put them on public display. Arrietty persuades Pod and Homily to build a balloon.