Fresh Fields

{{Short description|British TV sitcom (1984–1986)}} {{about|the British sitcom|the American national grocery store chain owned by Whole Foods|Whole Foods Market|the 1933 play|Fresh Fields (play)}} {{More citations needed|date=December 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} {{Use British English|date=May 2014}} {{Infobox television | genre = Sitcom | runtime = 30 minutes (including commercials) | writer = John Chapman | director = Peter Frazer-Jones | producer = Peter Frazer-Jones | starring = Julia McKenzie Anton Rodgers Ann Beach Fanny Rowe Ballard Berkeley Debby Cumming Daphne Oxenford Philip Bird John Arthur | language = English | country = United Kingdom | company = Thames Television | network = ITV | first_aired = {{Start date|1984|03|07|df=y}} | last_aired = {{End date|1986|10|23|df=y}} | num_series = 4 | num_episodes = 27 | related = ''French Fields'' }} '''''Fresh Fields''''' is a British sitcom starring Julia McKenzie and Anton Rodgers. A ratings success at the time, it was written by John Chapman and produced by Thames Television for ITV, running for four series between 7 March 1984 and 23 October 1986. The series has had repeats in recent years on Drama and currently, Fresh Fields is airing on That's TV in the UK (December 2023)

==Premise and series history== Hester and William Fields (McKenzie and Rodgers) are a devoted middle-aged, middle-class couple living an idyllic suburban lifestyle in Barnes, London. William works as an accountant while Hester is a housewife who works part-time in local restaurant Lucy's Kitchen. The title's meaning, and crux of the show, is that Hester combats empty-nest syndrome by livening up her life with new interests and hobbies, to the exasperation of her hard-working husband who just wants a quiet life.<ref>Series 1, episode 5, stated by Hester</ref> The show's opening credits, featuring silhouettes of the characters, reflect this: Hester rides an exercise bike and plays a drumkit while William relaxes in a rocking chair.

The family home has an attached granny flat in which Hester's mother Nancy (Fanny Rowe) lives following her divorce from Hester's roguish father Guy (Ballard Berkeley); he often tries to win her back. (The pair finally remarry in the last episode.) Hester and William have two children of their own: the never-seen Tom who lives in New Zealand; and Emma, who is usually only heard (voice of Debby Cummings) telephoning her parents at inconvenient times. Emma's husband Peter (Philip Bird) appears occasionally; Emma and Peter later present the Fields with their first grandchild Guy, named after his great-grandfather.

The Fields's neighbour Sonia Barrett (played by Ann Beach) pops round in every episode to borrow items; these appearances would irritate William to comical effect. Sonia had the show's only catchphrase: "It's only Sonia!" which she carols as she raps at the Fields's back door and then lets herself in. Sonia's husband John (John Arthur) appears occasionally, as does William's secretary Miss Marigold Denham (Daphne Oxenford).

''Fresh Fields'' ended in 1986 but three years later the series resumed as ''French Fields'', which saw William and Hester relocating to France after William accepted a job there. There were three series of 19 episodes made between 5 September 1989 and 8 October 1991, all written by John T. Chapman and Ian Davidson. Philip Bird appears as Peter in several episodes, with Emma finally seen on-screen, now played by Sally Baxter. Ann Beach makes a guest appearance as Sonia in the final episode.

==Filming locations== The show's main filming location was the Fields's salubrious Victorian detached home, which is actually situated in Teddington on the A313, Hampton Road, a short drive from what was Thames TV's main studio complex, where the indoor scenes were shot.

== Cast and characters == {| class="wikitable" !Name of character !Portrayed by !Duration |- |Hester Fields |Julia McKenzie |Series 1–4, all episodes (27) |- |William Fields |Anton Rodgers |Series 1–4, all episodes (27) |- |Sonia Barrett |Ann Beach |Series 1–4, 26 episodes |- |Nancy Penrose |Fanny Rowe |Series 1–4, 26 episodes |- |Emma Fields |Debby Cumming |Series 1–4, 13 episodes (voice only) |- |Guy Penrose |Ballard Berkeley |Series 1–4, 10 episodes |- |Miss Denham |Daphne Oxenford |Series 1–4, 6 episodes |- |John Barrett |John Arthur |Series 3–4, 5 episodes |- |Peter Richardson |Philip Bird |Series 1, 2 and 4, 5 episodes |- |Ms Turner |Charlotte Barker |Series 2 and 3, 3 episodes |- |Henry Richardson |Eric Dodson |Series 2 and 4, 2 episodes |- |Margaret Richardson |Margaret Courtenay |Series 2 and 4, 2 episodes |- |Mrs Fielder |Zulema Dene |Series 3 and 4, 2 episodes |- |Miss Henshaw |Geraldine Gardner |Series 2 and 4, 2 episodes |}

==Episodes== ===Series overview=== {{Series overview

| color1 = #D18A54 | link1 = #Series 1 (1984) | episodes1 = 6 | start1 = {{Start date|1984|3|7|df=y}} | end1 = {{End date|1984|4|11|df=y}}

| color2 = #a5c115 | link2 = #Series 2 (1984) | episodes2 = 6 | start2 = {{Start date|1984|9|5|df=y}} | end2 = {{End date|1984|10|10|df=y}}

| color3 = #32fefd | link3 = #Series 3 (1985) | episodes3 = 6 | start3 = {{Start date|1985|9|4|df=y}} | end3 = {{End date|1985|10|9|df=y}}

| color3S = #AE172D | link3S = #Christmas special (1985) | linkT3S = Christmas special | released3S = {{Start date|1985|12|25|df=y}}

| color4 = #FF579B | link4 = #Series 4 (1986) | episodes4 = 8 | start4 = {{Start date|1986|9|4|df=y}} | end4 = {{End date|1986|10|23|df=y}} }}

===Series 1 (1984)=== {{Episode table |background=#D18A54 |overall=5 |series=5 |title=22 |director=20 |writer=20 |airdate=18 |episodes=

{{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 1 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title = Dish of the Day | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|3|7|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Hester spices things up with a foray into haute cuisine, starting a job as a part-time chef at a local restaurant. But she is missing one vital ingredient for her debut, and only William can save the day. | LineColor = D18A54 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 2 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title = Middle-Age Dread | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|3|14|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Suddenly feeling her years, Hester is determined to prove she is not too old to start a new career, but her confidence is shaken after she is turned down for a job at a trendy boutique for being too old. She applies for the job instore again, wearing a wig, sunglasses & different outfit. Her attempt to appear young is successful; she is not recognised and is hired. However, she decides not to take the job. | LineColor = D18A54 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 3 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title = Hook, Line and Sink Her | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|3|21|df=y}} | ShortSummary = William plans to get away from it all with a day's fishing. But there is a catch: his wife and mother-in-law want to come along. The addition of yet another person to the party threatens to change the whole trip entirely. | LineColor = D18A54 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 4 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title = The Naked Truth | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|3|28|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Keen to impress a prospective client visiting from the Middle East, William enlists Hester's help to ensure the trip goes off without a hitch. The Fields soon discover that the man has an unusual understanding of mixing business with pleasure. | LineColor = D18A54 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 5 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Title = Des Det Res | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|4|4|df=y}} | ShortSummary = With property taxes due, William comes up with a drastic solution: He decides it is time to sell their house and move to a smaller place. Hester has other ideas and enlists two co-conspirators to help execute her plan. | LineColor = D18A54 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 6 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Title = Something in the Oven | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|4|11|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Hester is unnerved when she learns that a food critic will be at the restaurant during her shift. And then her unmarried daughter Emma informs her that she is pregnant. | LineColor = D18A54 }} }}

===Series 2 (1984)=== {{Episode table |background=#a5c115 |overall=5 |series=5 |title=22 |director=20 |writer=20 |airdate=18 |episodes=

{{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 7 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title = A Night to Remember | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|9|5|df=y}} | ShortSummary = William organizes a special getaway to mark their 24th wedding anniversary. He surprises Hester by taking her back to the hotel where he first proposed — but an even bigger surprise awaits them. | LineColor = a5c115 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 8 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title = A Brief Encounter | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|9|12|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Hackles arise when William notices that Hester's fencing instructor, a known Casanova, is much too attentive. Hester sees no cause for alarm; only when she lowers her guard does she realise William might have a point. | LineColor = a5c115 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 9 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title = Alright on the Night | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|9|19|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Hester is roped into organising the church bazaar and concert while William plans to escape it on a fishing trip. But when a performer calls in sick, Hester finds an unexpected role for William. | LineColor = a5c115 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 10 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title = In the Spring | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|9|26|df=y}} | ShortSummary = A scandalous neighbourhood affair gets Hester's creative juices flowing and she begins a new writing project. Meanwhile, her father takes an entirely different kind of inspiration from the situation. | LineColor = a5c115 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 11 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Title = Business Contacts | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|10|3|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Ever-helpful Hester volunteers to run William's office when his secretary calls in sick, and she must get creative when an important new client arrives to an appointment and William is nowhere to be found. | LineColor = a5c115 }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 12 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Title = Get Me to the Church | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1984|10|10|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Emma finally sets a date for her wedding. The church is booked, the groom's jet-setting parents fly in, and the wedding party assembles for the grand occasion. But nobody can make an entrance quite like Hester. | LineColor = a5c115 }} }}

===Series 3 (1985)=== {{Episode table |background=#32fefd |overall=5 |series=5 |title=22 |director=20 |writer=20 |airdate=18 |episodes=

{{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 13 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title = Do It Yourself | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1985|9|4|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Planning to redecorate, Hester calls in an expert - who literally falls down on the job. | LineColor = 32fefd }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 14 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title = A Waiting Game | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1985|9|11|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Attempting to cater a large party, Hester is reduced to persuading William to stand in as butler - which gets complicated when some of his clients turn up as guests. | LineColor = 32fefd }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 15 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title = Moveable Feasts | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1985|9|18|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Hester attempts to deliver "meals-on-wheels" while babysitting her newborn grandson. | LineColor = 32fefd }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 16 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title = Tipping the Scales | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1985|9|25|df=y}} | ShortSummary = According to Hester, slimming is easy: just give up food and drink. After a starvation diet, William is ready to give up Hester. | LineColor = 32fefd }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 17 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Title = Crossed Lines | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1985|10|2|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Up for election to a local committee, Hester meets her rival - an attractive blonde - head-on at a wine-tasting party. | LineColor = 32fefd }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 18 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Title = Alarums And Excursions | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1985|10|9|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Sonia reads Hester's fortune, which predicts both travel and a secret admirer. | LineColor = 32fefd }} }}

===Christmas special (1985)=== {{Episode table |background=#AE172D |overall=11 |title=22 |director=20 |writer=20 |airdate=18 |episodes=

{{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 19 | Title = A Dickens of a Christmas | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1985|12|25|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Hester cooks up more than she bargained for when she spices up William's dinner.<ref>[http://www.locatetv.com/tv/fresh-fields/1080155 "A Dickens of a Christmas"] at LocateTV.com</ref> | LineColor = AE172D }} }}

===Series 4 (1986)=== {{Episode table |background=#FF579B |overall=5 |series=5 |title=22 |director=20 |writer=20 |airdate=18 |episodes=

{{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 20 | EpisodeNumber2 = 1 | Title = A Nose for Trouble | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|9|4|df=y}} | ShortSummary = William's snoring keeps Hester awake night after night. | LineColor = FF579B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 21 | EpisodeNumber2 = 2 | Title = The Old Folks at Home | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|9|11|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Upset that a Victorian mansion is to be torn down and replaced by "a block of flats," Hester starts a campaign to persuade local councillor Mr. Gardner to convert the premises into a seniors' residence. When he doubts the need for such a facility, Hester invites him home, having persuaded Nancy, her sister Winnie, and Guy to pretend senility. The appalled Gardner not only approves the home but telephones to notify William and Hester that he has arranged for their dotty dependents to move in immediately. | LineColor = FF579B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 22 | EpisodeNumber2 = 3 | Title = One Damned Ming After Another | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|9|18|df=y}} | ShortSummary = The Fields hope to get their Chinese vase onto a locally filmed episode of ''Antiques Roadshow''. Returning home, they surprise a burglar — enabling Hester to use her newly-acquired martial arts skills. | LineColor = FF579B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 23 | EpisodeNumber2 = 4 | Title = Life Is Full of Ups and Downs | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|9|25|df=y}} | ShortSummary = William and Hester go shopping in Boulogne. | LineColor = FF579B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 24 | EpisodeNumber2 = 5 | Title = Takes Two to Tango | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|10|2|df=y}} | ShortSummary = William and Hester's son-in-law Peter invites them to a dinner dance. | LineColor = FF579B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 25 | EpisodeNumber2 = 6 | Title = Caught in the Act | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|10|9|df=y}} | ShortSummary = William insists on mending a leaky kitchen tap himself, necessitating an expensive visit from the plumber. Meanwhile, Hester gets a call from Peter's parents, the Richardsons, who are coming from Dorset to London for the day and invite themselves to dinner and to stay overnight. Driven mad by overbearing Margaret and epically boring Henry, and dismayed when their guests decide to stay another night, the Fields invent a dinner engagement at a Bournemouth hotel, but actually bundle themselves and Nancy next door to Sonia's for the night. Then Margaret and Henry turn up to chat with Sonia, and the Fields flee to Nancy's granny flat — where they are mistaken for burglars. They fib that Nancy has come down with flu; next morning Margaret cheerfully announces that Henry has caught it from Nancy and needs to stay in bed for several days. | LineColor = FF579B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 26 | EpisodeNumber2 = 7 | Title = Brighton or Bust | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|10|16|df=y}} | ShortSummary = Hester signs up for a charity bicycle race. | LineColor = FF579B }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 27 | EpisodeNumber2 = 8 | Title = Happy Returns | DirectedBy = Peter Frazer-Jones | WrittenBy = John T. Chapman | OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|10|23|df=y}} | ShortSummary = After a sojourn in Italy, the Fields return home to celebrate Hester's 45th birthday. Despite William's back going out, and some complications arising from misunderstandings, they settle on dinner out to celebrate — whereupon Hester is summoned to deal with an emergency at Lucy's Kitchen. This turns out to be a ruse: the restaurant is packed with friends for a surprise party. Then comes the biggest surprise: Guy and Nancy announce that they were remarried that morning! | LineColor = FF579B }} }}

==Home releases== All four series of ''Fresh Fields'' have been released on DVD, A 7-disc set (containing both the series and the sequel, French Fields) was released in 2011.

An Australian release of both series (''Fresh Fields'' and ''French Fields'') has the original pilot episode of the series as an extra, along with a variety special.

{| class="wikitable" |- ! DVD !! Release date |- | {{center|The Complete Series 1}} || {{center|12 April 2010}} |- | {{center|The Complete Series 2}} || {{center|23 August 2010}} |- | {{center|The Complete Series 3}} || {{center|21 February 2011}} |- | {{center|The Complete Series 4}} || {{center|16 May 2011}} |- | {{center|The Complete Series 1 to 4 Box Set}} || {{center|24 October 2011}} |}

==References== <references/>

==External links== *{{IMDb title|id=0086718|title=Fresh Fields}} *{{British Comedy Guide|tv|fresh_fields}} *{{Epguides|FreshFields}}

Category:1984 British television series debuts Category:1986 British television series endings Category:1980s British sitcoms Category:Barnes, London Category:English-language British television shows Category:ITV sitcoms Category:Television shows produced by Thames Television Category:Television series about families Category:Television series about marriage Category:Television series by Fremantle (company) Category:Television shows set in London Category:Television shows shot at Teddington Studios