Empire Road

Name: Empire Road
Genre: Drama
Released: 1978
Rating: 7.5

1978 7.5

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.

Drama

Play

Play The Shark

1
The Shark
1979-08-23
Marcus becomes infatuated with teacher Camille while Ranjanaa is away.
Play Mongrels

2
Mongrels
1979-08-30
Marcus becomes infatuated with teacher Camille while Ranjanaa is away.
Play M-Mister L-Landlord

3
M-Mister L-Landlord
1979-09-06
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.
Play Football Crazy

4
Football Crazy
1979-09-13
Desmond and Royston are determined to see their new football heroes in action.
Play Kalaloo Sunday

5
Kalaloo Sunday
1979-09-20
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.
Play Blues In The Night

6
Blues In The Night
1979-09-27
Miss May’s wild weekend parties are disrupted by angry protests from a white neighbour.
Play D.I.V.O.R.C.E.

7
D.I.V.O.R.C.E.
1979-10-04
The prospect of a couple divorcing shocks the residents of Empire Road.
Play Godfadder At Bay

8
Godfadder At Bay
1979-10-18
Everton and the West Indian Businessman's Association face a financial crisis.
Play Streets Of Thornley

9
Streets Of Thornley
1979-10-25
Marcus keeps an eye on Ranjanaa when her father’s sweet shop is vandalised by a gang of racist youths.
Play Wedding

10
Wedding
1979-11-01
Ranjanaa and Marcus are getting married today, and Empire Road sets out to celebrate the wedding of the year.