Nanny (BBC-1 1981-1983, Wendy Craig)

Nanny was very much your classic BBC period drama series taking us back to the early 1930’s where Barbara Gray begins a new career working as a children’s nanny. Babara is looking for a new start after the break down of her marriage.

Over the course of three seasons Barbara works for various well to do families and even gets married again – to Sam Taverner. Despite her new marriage though Barbara continues to work.

Wendy Craig, who starred as Barbara Gray, also created the series under her writing pseudonym Jonathan Marr. This was also the name she used when penning scripts for her 1970’s sitcoms And Mother Makes Three and And Mother Makes Five. Writers on the series included Terence Brady and Charlotte Bingham, Carey Harrison, Maggie Wadey and Julia Jones.

Guest stars included Patricia Hodge, Colin Douglas, Joan Hickson, Donald Burton, Anna Cropper, Patrick Troughton, Frank Mills and Judy Campbell.

production details
UK / BBC One / 30×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 10 January 1981 – 13 March 1983

Creator: Wendy Craig (as Jonathan Marr) / Theme Music: Grant Hossack / Producers: Guy Slater (seasons 1-2), Bernard Krichefski (season 3)

cast
Wendy Craig as Barbara Gray

SEASON ONE 10 January – 14 March 1981
1. INNOCENT PARTY (10 Jan 81)
2. NOW LOOK WHAT YOU DONE (17 Jan 81)
3. JUST SOMEBODY BEING NAUGHTY (24 Jan 81)
4. THE MAGIC ISLAND (31 Jan 81)
5. TROMPE L’OEIL (7 Feb 81)
6. GOATS AND TIGERS (14 Feb 81)
7. WAIFS AND STRAYS (21 Feb 81)
8. A BIRDLESS CAGE (28 Feb 81)
9. A PINCH OF DRAGON’S BLOOD (7 Mar 81)
10. OTHER PEOPLES’ BABIES (14 Mar 81)

SEASON TWO 2 January – 6 March 1982
1. RINGTIME (2 Jan 82)
2. ASHES TO ASHES (9 Jan 82)
3. COMINGS AND GOINGS (16 Jan 82)
4. THE PLEASURE OF FOLLOWING (23 Jan 82)
5. A FAINT AND DISTANT NOISE (30 Jan 82)
6. CROSSING THE LINE (6 Feb 82)
7. OUT OF THE SHADOWS (13 Feb 82)
8. THE LOVE CHILD (20 Feb 82)
9. FATHERS (27 Feb 82)
10. A TWIST OF FATE (6 Mar 82)

SEASON THREE 9 January – 13 March 1983
1. A SENSE OF DUTY (9 Jan 83)
2. SHE WHO GIVES A BABY BIRTH (16 Jan 83)
3. THE PRODIGY (23 Jan 83)
4. THE SAULT (30 Jan 83)
5. THE HOME FRONT (6 Feb 83)
6. INTO THE BLITZ (13 Feb 83)
7. A JOURNEY (20 Feb 83)
8. FRANKLY SPEAKING (27 Feb 83)
9. SHORT ENGAGEMENTS (6 Mar 83)
10. LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY (13 Mar 83)