The Nearly Man

The Nearly Man was a UK TV series from the mid-1970s created by Arthur Hopcraft about a middle-class Labour MP. Originally screened on ITV on 4 August 1974, the series won the Broadcasting Press Guild award for the best single play on British television in 1974. The series was filmed in London by Granada Television, in black and white. Some episodes were directed by British director John Irvin. The main cast included Tony Britton as the lead character, Anne Firbank, John Leyton, and Ian McCulloch.

Seasons

1. S1.E0 ∙ The Nearly Man

Air Date: 1974-08-04

Television play, later developed into a series, about a Labour member of parliament who never quite makes it to the top.

2. S1.E1 ∙ Opportunity: March 1975

Air Date: 1975-11-04

Christopher Collinson entered Parliament in 1958 as a talented, ambitious young man. Now, frustrated and cynical after seventeen years on the back benches, he still wants - and even expects - power; a personal tragedy reveals that the opportunity has not entirely disappeared.

3. S1.E2 ∙ Power Base: April 1975

Air Date: 1975-11-11

Collinson seeks out the political limelight, but Alice finds his renewed political ambition difficult to come to terms with. Meanwhile, in the constituency there is a growing feeling that a clash is inevitable.

4. S1.E3 ∙ Millie: May 1975

Air Date: 1975-11-18

As Collinson concentrates on the intensifying Common Market campaign, he is almost taken unawares by events in his constituency. Then, at a routine political meeting, he meets a young university teacher. Her name is Millie Dutton...

5. S1.E4 ∙ Reshuffle: June 1975

Air Date: 1975-11-25

While Collinson awaits the outcome of a cabinet reshuffle that will decide his political future, Alice, living apart from him in the Shropshire countryside, is expecting a visit from her friend, novelist Brian Griffin.

6. S1.E5 ∙ Confrontation: July 1975

Air Date: 1974-11-25

It's more than two months since Chris and Alice Collinson have seen each other ; a long standing engagement now brings them into contact. It is not the only confrontation in store for Collinson, as the antagonism between himself and Ron Hibbert takes a new and unexpected turn.

7. S1.E6 ∙ Casualties: August 1975

Air Date: 1975-12-09

Bernard King, local party chairman, attempts to heal the growing rift between Collinson and his opposition. Criticism of his conduct as an MP reaches a peak, and the confrontation between himself and Ron Hibbert comes to a climax.

8. S1.E7 ∙ Options

Air Date: 1975-12-16

"My error has been my scepticism. I've not actually believed in politics as a way of life" An admission that recently led Chistopher Collinson into a battle in his constituency - a battle that he thought he had won. But has he? Meanwhile, on the eve of the party conference, there is an uneasy alliance between Collinson and his wife.

Select an episode to start watching