Campion: Look To The Lady (BBC-1 with Gordon Jackson)

UK / BBC One – Consolidated Productions / 2×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 22 – 29 January 1989

Writer: Alan Plater / Costumes: Brian Willis / Producer: Ken Ledsham / Director: Martyn Friend

Series: Campion / Season 1 Episodes 1 and 2

In Look to the Lady Campion investigates when he learns a gang on thieves are intent on stealing the extremely valuable Gyrth Chalice from the Gyrth family home. It soon appears there is more to the case than meets the eye and just what does the old witch who lives in the woods have to do with the chalice.

A fabulous, light touched script from Alan Plater, wonderful period settings and bags of charm make this opening episode a real treat. Peter Davison is spot on as the laid back detective and saw him once again proving what a capable actor he is, Davison scored one hit after another during the 1980’s what with Doctor Who and All Creatures Great and Small.

Inspector Stanislav Oates makes his first appearance at the beginning of the second half of this episode, Oates is Campion’s key police contact and when Lugg visits a gypsy camp it is revealed that Campion likes to spend time living with them where he is known as Orlando. In fact it is the gypsies who play a major part in the finale to the episode!

guest cast
GORDON JACKSON as Professor Gerdner Cairey
BARBARA JEFFORD as Mrs Shannon
ROBIN LERMITTE as Val Gyrth
SARAH FINCH as Penny Gyrth
JOHN HORSLEY as Colonel Gyrth
FIONA LAWRENCE as Beth Cairey
MARTIN BENSON as Isaac Melchizadek
HILARY MASON as Mrs Munsey
ROY EVANS as Branch
MONA BRUCE as Mrs Bullock
MIKE HAYWARD as PC Baker
ANDREW DUNFORD as Ernie Walker
IAN JENTLE as Horace Putnam
ALAN CODY as Natty Johnson
TERRY MEDLICOTT as Fingers Hawkins
DINNY POWELL as Major King
MICHAEL PLAISTER as Waiter
PAUL HEASMAN as London Taxi Driver
BARBARA BUSEY as Lady Diana Pethwick
PETER WADDINGTON as Sammy Munsey
GERARD GREEN as The Stranger
PAUL RIDLEY as Percy Peck
JOHN GILL as Old Mr Peck
NED VOKOVIC as Jacob
ANNA TZELNIKER as Mrs Sarah
WAYNE JACKMAN as Joey