TV series

Lovejoy

Name: Lovejoy
Released: 1986
Cast: Ian McShane, Dudley Sutton, Caroline Langrishe, Diane Parish

1986–1994· 6 seasons· 50 min episodesTV-PG★ 7.4Ended

On BBC One — From BBC

In the shady world of antiques, Lovejoy has a knack for finding the truth.

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Where to watch

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Synopsis

The adventures of the eponymous Lovejoy, a likeable but roguish antiques dealer based in East Anglia. Within the trade, he has a reputation as a “divvie”, a person with an almost supernatural powers for recognising exceptional items as well as distinguishing genuine antique from clever fakes or forgeries.

Themes

antique dealer rogue

Episodes

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E1 The Firefly CageNext upJan 10, 1986 · 54 min · ★ 7.8
Synopsis
Having hired Eric Catchpole as an apprentice, Lovejoy sets out to unravel the meaning of a Japanese firefly cage.As Lovejoy and Eric are in hot pursuit (on Eric's motorbike) of a lovely lady with something they want, they hit a pool of water in the road and give a drenching to Jane (Lady Felsham), who is busy unveiling a plaque. When, later, Lovejoy rings the doorbell at Felsham Hall, complex chemistry begins, and Jane is soon showing Lovejoy around her attic...
Guest stars: Sarah Lawson (Mrs. Hepplestone), Pavel Douglas (Lord Alexander Felsham), Ronald Fraser (Drummer), Denys Graham (Bigelow), Kim Thomson (Nicola Paige), Frank Mills (Mr. Catchpole), Cassie Stuart (Amanda), Ben Howard (Mr. Devlin)
E2 The Axeman ComethJan 17, 1986 · 52 min
Synopsis
Lovejoy buys a Welsh dresser at Charlie Gimbert's auction, and hidden inside it he finds a rich Arab head-dress, festooned with gold ducats. Catesby, recently out of prison and the son of the dead man whose property was being sold at Gimbert's, says he was promised the dresser. Lovejoy sells it back to him, but without the head-dress. Catesby is soon looking for Lovejoy armed with an axe. He is in good company, as one of Her Majesty's Inland Revenue officers is also after Lovejoy.
Guest stars: Zienia Merton (Miss Taylor), Mark Monero (Woody), Oliver Cotton (Frobel), Denys Graham (Bigelow), Oscar Quitak (Coin Dealer), Geoffrey Bateman (Dandy Jack), Yves-Marie Maurin (Vial), Stewart Harwood (Catesby)
E3 The StingJan 20, 1986 · 53 min
Synopsis
Lovejoy sets out to help a young woman to trace a pair of Meissen figures which she sold to raise cash for a drug habit. When he comes across evidence of a double-cross by Charlie Gimbert, he decides to get even.
Guest stars: Peter Tuddenham (Auctioneer), Mark Monero (Woody), Pavel Douglas (Lord Alexander Felsham), Paul Antrim (Det Sgt. Hill), Denys Graham (Bigelow), Cassie Stuart (Amanda), Geoffrey Bateman (Dandy Jack), Kika Mirylees (Carinna)
E4 Friends, Romans and EnemiesJan 31, 1986 · 54 min · ★ 3.7
Synopsis
A robbery at the local museum seems to be connected with the death of a local forger, and Lovejoy goes on the trail of a hoard of Roman coins in the Isle of Man. Two Americans are also after the coins.
Guest stars: Freda Dowie (Mrs. Springer), Sheila Keith (Curator), Paul Antrim (Det Sgt. Hill), Denys Graham (Bigelow), Burnell Tucker (Edward), Cassie Stuart (Amanda), Anthony Jackson (Brian), Geoffrey Bateman (Dandy Jack)
E5 The Judas PairFeb 7, 1986 · 52 min
Synopsis
The wife and brother of a man killed with a fabulous pair of Regency duelling pistols engage Lovejoy to find them and thus bring about the downfall of the murderer. In the process, Lovejoy puts Jane's life at risk and challenges Dr La Grange to a duel.
Guest stars: Pavel Douglas (Lord Alexander Felsham), Anthony Valentine (Michael Seymour), Peggy Shields (Antiques Lady), Mark Kingston (Dr. La Grange), Alison Skilbeck (Muriel), Richard Kay (Ronald Field), Anthony Dutton (Supt. Blythe), Stephen Bent (Det Sgt. Ross)
E6 To Sleep No MoreFeb 14, 1986 · 51 min
Synopsis
Sam Wendell, an old forger, dies of a heart attack while being pursued by a mysterious priest, leaving behind one of his small forgeries. Sam had told his wife it was the key to a fortune, and the priest soon tries to break into the Wendell house. Lovejoy aims to unravel the puzzle, by way of helping Sam's widow (who's left with very little) to recover anything of value. Along the way, Lovejoy dresses up as a priest.
Guest stars: Rebecca Lacey (Receptionist), Mark Monero (Woody), Pavel Douglas (Lord Alexander Felsham), Peter Whitbread (Vicar), Angus Lennie (Pilsen), Denys Graham (Bigelow), John Scholes (Sgt. Drabble), Geoffrey Bateman (Dandy Jack)
E7 The Real ThingFeb 21, 1986 · 49 min
Synopsis
Needing a break from Charlie, Lovejoy takes a job for a few days at a new antiques market in Norwich owned by a client of Jane's. He soon realizes the boss is a con-man and sets out to expose him. Along the way, he also tries to trap a second crook who is selling fake paintings.
Guest stars: Jenny Runacre (Sandra), Ray Lonnen (Palmer), Donald Hewlett (Harry), Stephen Garlick (Shop Assistant), Geoffrey Bateman (Dandy Jack), Leslie French (Cuthie), Jennifer Clulow (Presenter), Tony Wredden (Pierre)
E8 The March of TimeFeb 28, 1986 · 49 min
Synopsis
Lovejoy finds a bundle of old love letters hidden in the back of an antique clock. He quickly falls for the owner, but are the letters genuine? Under the name of 'Captain Lovejoy', he sets out to find the answer.
Guest stars: Lysette Anthony (Sophy), Ray Lonnen (Palmer), Donald Hewlett (Harry), James Aubrey (Michael), John Scholes (Sgt. Drabble), Geoffrey Drew (Berwick), Laurence Harrington (Ricky), Andrew Cuthbert (Motorcycle Policeman)
E9 Death and Venice (1)Mar 7, 1986 · 48 min
Synopsis
Lovejoy travels to Venice to investigate the murder of a friend. The dead friend had bought a painting Lovejoy believed was a fake. In Venice, he is drawn into an ambitious art swindle, and identical twins Caterina and Lavinia are behind the scam.
Guest stars: Alexander Knox (Pinder), Gwen Humble (Caterina), Steven Pacey (Keith), Haydn Gwynne (Cosima), John Scholes (Sgt. Drabble), Anthony Jackson (Brian), Jo Ross (Helen), Jan Wilson (Mrs. Cameron)
E10 Death and Venice (2)Mar 14, 1986 · 48 min · ★ 3.3
Synopsis
In Venice, Lovejoy gets a job working for Caterina and Lavinia, with a view to busting their scam, and meets a Scottish forger called 'Lucky' Luciano. Lovejoy and Lucky together unravel the mystery of the Island of Rats.
Guest stars: Alexander Knox (Pinder), Pavel Douglas (Lord Alexander Felsham), Steven Pacey (Keith), Fulton Mackay (Luciano), Jacob Witkin (Carlo), Haydn Gwynne (Cosima), Jo Ross (Helen), Alibe Parsons (Nancy)