About this season
Clayhanger is a British television drama based on Arnold Bennett's novel series of the same name, published between 1910 and 1918, dramatised by Douglas Livingstone for ITV. Produced by Associated Television, the 26-episode programme is a coming-of-age story set in 19th century England. Edwin Clayhanger aspires to be an architect but is expected to join his father's printing business. His personal growth, eventual acceptance of the family business, and his romantic entanglement with Hilda Lessways are explored. Clayhanger was ITV's longest-ever drama at the time. While some found the pacing slow, it was nonetheless praised for its faithful adaptation, excellent acting, and atmospheric sets.
Episodes (26)
1. Last of a Schoolboy
Aired 1 January 1976 • 60 min
July 1872. It is Edwin Clayhanger's last day at school. Everyone expects that he will enter his father's printing business, but Edwin has very different ideas about his future.
2. The Architect
Aired 8 January 1976 • 60 min
Edwin becomes a hero - he wins his fathers admiration, but is no nearer to the realisation of his own ambitions to become an architect.
3. HIlda
Aired 15 January 1976 • 60 min
Edwin has written to his father reminding him that he wants to train as an architect. Darius is curious, while Edwin realises that a summons from his aunt means the battle has come to a head...
4. The Five Towns Chronicle and Turnhill Guardian
Aired 22 January 1976 • 60 min
While Edwin continues to work as an assistant at his father's printing works, eyebrows are raised when Hilda Lessways becomes the first woman in the Five Towns to learn shorthand - in order to work for George Cannon.
5. Sin and Romance
Aired 29 January 1976 • 60 min
Hilda receives a telegram from London informing her that her mother is ill. Instead of leaving at once, she continues to work on the first edition of Cannon's newspaper.
6. Escape to Bleakridge
Aired 5 February 1976 • 60 min
Hilda's feeling of responsibility for her mother's death has led her to a nervous breakdown. While still recovering in Miss Gailey's boarding house, she hears that Cannon is insisting on visiting her.
7. Centenary
Aired 12 February 1976 • 60 min
Edwin spends an evening with the Orgreaves. He takes an instant dislike to Hilda, but when he leaves to take another look at the new Clayhanger house, she secretly follows him...
8. Taking a Share
Aired 19 February 1976 • 60 min
After their day together at the Sunday School Centenary celebrations, Hilda and Edwin have become fascinated with each other. Edwin is both excited and unnerved at the prospect of their becoming neighbours.
9. Brighton
Aired 26 February 1976 • 60 min
Miss Gailey tells Hilda that Cannon has taken a boarding house in Brighton, and expects them all to go and live there.
10. Marriage
Aired 4 March 1976 • 60 min
Hilda has accepted George's proposal, but she's nervous of breaking the news to Miss Gailey, who is now a semi-permanent invalid.
11. Love
Aired 11 March 1976 • 60 min
Hilda's secret marriage to George has ended disastrously with the discovery that it was bigamous. Deserted by him, she returns to Bursley to stay with the Orgreaves. On the night of her arrival, there is a visitor — Edwin.
12. Punishment
Aired 18 March 1976 • 60 min
Hilda and Edwin declare their love for each other. But when she's forced to return to Brighton, Hilda has still not found the courage to tell Edwin about her past.
13. Laid Aside
Aired 25 March 1976 • 60 min
Edwin knows nothing of the role that Mr Shushions played in Darius's life, and is puzzled when Darius returns from his funeral in a state of shock. But subsequent events force new responsibilities on Edwin...
14. The Glorious Jubilee
Aired 1 April 1976 • 60 min
Edwin has been told that his father had no more than two years to live. More than one of those years has now passed - and Edwin has assumed complete control of the family business.
15. The Chain Is Broken
Aired 8 April 1976 • 60 min
Close to death, Darius lets it be known that Edwin will inherit the whole of his business. As one chapter closes in Edwin's life, another opens as he meets Hilda's son.
16. The Adventure
Aired 15 April 1976 • 60 min
Hilda's son arrives to stay with the Orgreaves. Janet tells Edwin that Hilda is now a widow.... and all his old feelings for Hilda are re-awakened.
17. Epidemic
Aired 22 April 1976 • 60 min
Edwin visits Hilda in Brighton, where he learns that her husband is, in fact, still alive.
18. The Exquisite Burden
Aired 29 April 1976 • 60 min
Hilda has told Edwin that she was never married to Cannon. Ignoring the hostility of Five Towns 'society', Edwin asks her to marry him.
19. Possessions
Aired 6 May 1976 • 60 min
Edwin and Hilda have finally given a formal 'At Home' to celebrate their marriage - and Bursley seems to have accepted them. Hilda feels safe and financially secure, but Edwin is already making new plans for the business....
20. A Musical Evening
Aired 13 May 1976 • 60 min
Hilda and Edwin have quarrelled about Edwin's plans to build a new printing works - he has not yet told her that he already made an offer for the land.
21. The Orgreave Calamity
Aired 20 May 1976 • 60 min
Hilda is continuing to oppose Edwin's plans to extend the printing business.
22. Dartmoor
Aired 27 May 1976 • 60 min
Hilda once again sees the man she thought she loved, but they cannot speak. George Cannon is a prisoner in Dartmoor.
23. Prisoners
Aired 3 June 1976 • 60 min
After their brief glimpse of George Cannon in Dartmoor prison, Edwin and Hilda return to the Five Towns. Not long after, George Cannon is released....
24. Fall from Glory
Aired 10 June 1976 • 60 min
Edwin is furious when Hilda insists on taking her son to London to visit an eye specialist. All the Clayhanger servants have left, and Edwin is forced to stay with Auntie Hamps.
25. Death and Dreams
Aired 17 June 1976 • 60 min
Hilda remains in London while Edwin stays on with a seriously ill Auntie Hamps. To add to Edwin's gloom, Ingpen has had a serious accident at the Benbow works and is not expected to live.
26. The Discovery
Aired 24 June 1976 • 60 min
Hilda is determined that she and Edwin should live in the country. And unbeknown to Edwin, she has already decided on their future home....