About this season
Empire Road was a British television series, made by the BBC in 1978 and 1979. Written by Michael Abbensetts, the show ran for two seasons of eight episodes each. The series was the first British television series to be written, acted and directed predominantly by black artists. A soap opera, similar in format to Coronation Street, Empire Road depicted life for the African-Caribbean, East Indian and South Asian residents of a racially diverse street in the city of Birmingham. Prominent cast members included Norman Beaton, Corinne Skinner-Carter, Wayne Laryea, Joseph Marcell and Rudolph Walker. The programme also provided early TV exposure for Julie Walters who appeared in a few episodes. The series was made at BBC Pebble Mill with location work in the Handsworth area of Birmingham. The eponymously named theme song was recorded by Matumbi and also released as a single in 1978.
Episodes (10)
1. The Shark
Aired 23 August 1979 • 30 min
Marcus becomes infatuated with teacher Camille while Ranjanaa is away.
2. Mongrels
Aired 30 August 1979 • 30 min
Marcus becomes infatuated with teacher Camille while Ranjanaa is away.
3. M-Mister L-Landlord
Aired 6 September 1979 • 30 min
Property king Walter Isaacs is the man of the moment, but when he meets his new tenants, he learns he is playing a game he cannot win.
4. Football Crazy
Aired 13 September 1979 • 30 min
Desmond and Royston are determined to see their new football heroes in action.
5. Kalaloo Sunday
Aired 20 September 1979 • 30 min
Despite attending church in the morning, having plantains and kalaloo for lunch, and watching TV all afternoon, Hortense is yearning for the Sundays she knew back home.
6. Blues In The Night
Aired 27 September 1979 • 30 min
Miss May’s wild weekend parties are disrupted by angry protests from a white neighbour.
7. D.I.V.O.R.C.E.
Aired 4 October 1979 • 30 min
The prospect of a couple divorcing shocks the residents of Empire Road.
8. Godfadder At Bay
Aired 18 October 1979 • 30 min
Everton and the West Indian Businessman's Association face a financial crisis.
9. Streets Of Thornley
Aired 25 October 1979 • 30 min
Marcus keeps an eye on Ranjanaa when her father’s sweet shop is vandalised by a gang of racist youths.
10. Wedding
Aired 1 November 1979 • 30 min
Ranjanaa and Marcus are getting married today, and Empire Road sets out to celebrate the wedding of the year.