If you’re as fond of Judi Dench as we are, we’ve got some good news. One of her most underrated and unforgettable TV shows As Time Goes By is available to stream now - and with nine series to enjoy, It’s the ultimate comfort watch. Judi is best known for her roles in Shakespearean dramas, and her iconic portrayal of James Bond’s M, but this sitcom shows a funnier, and more relatable side to the star.
The sitcom, which first aired on BBC One in 1992, follows the unexpected reunion of two former lovers almost four decades after they last saw each other. Jean (Judi Dench) and Geoffery (Lionel Hardcastle) fell head over heels for each other in the 1950s, but they lost touch after a heartbreaking misunderstanding. The series sees them unite over unexpected circumstances - but is love still in the air all those years later?
Before you tune in, here’s everything you need to know about As Time Goes By, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is As Time Goes By about?
We’ve all heard of ‘the one that got away’ and the premise of this long-running series makes this concept its central premise. The romantic comedy follows two former lovers Jean (Judi Dench) and Geoffrey (Lionel Hardcastle) who unexpectedly reunite after 38 years apart in West London. But, the once young lovers didn’t separate by choice - they met in the 1950s and Lionel was drafted over to Korea to complete his national service. He sent a letter to Jean, but it never reached her, leaving them both to assume they’d lost interest.
They both went onto live separate lives, forming careers and families of their own. After his time in the military, Lionel became a coffee planter in Kenya, married, then later divorced and returned to England. Jean was widowed and had a daughter called Judith (Moira Brooker). Judith, a key character in the series, has been somewhat unlucky in love herself, aged 35 she’s a double-divorcée, and remains a hopeless romantic.
After Jean’s husband’s death, the then nurse opened her own secretarial agency called “Type For You”. Lionel decided to start writing his memoir, but he needed help typing up his notes. He decided to hire a typist - who just so happened to be Judith. Judith clearly takes after her mother, since Lionel invites her out for dinner. Later Lionel sees Jean again as he picks up her daughter - not quite the dream romantic reunion!
What to read next
Across nine series and several specials, the touching sitcom follows Jean and Lionel as they try to build a relationship in later life, while dealing with family, friendships, their chequered history and the day-to-day dramas of daily life. The question remains: will their love work a second time around?
Who’s in the cast of As Time Goes By?
The cast of As Time Goes By includes:
- Judi Dench (James Bond Series, Notes on a Scandal) as Jean Pargetter/Hardcastle
- Geoffrey Palmer (Butterflies) as Lionel Hardcastle
- Moira Brooker (Dummy) as Judith Pargetter
- Jenny Funnell (Williams) as Sandy
- Philip Bretherton (Dark Floors) as Alistair Deacon
- Frank Middlemass (The Island) as Rocky Hardcastle
- Joan Sims (The Carry On franchise) as Madge
- Moyra Fraser (The Good Life) as Penny
- Paul Chapman (A Bit of a Do) as Stephen
- Zoe Hilson (Sweet Revenge) as Daisy
- David Michaels (Hidden) as Harry
Is there a trailer for As Time Goes By?
You can watch the trailer for As Time Goes By below.
Is As Time Goes By any good?
Yes - if you’re a fan British romantic comedy series such as Gavin & Stacey and Sharon Horgan’s Catastrophe, this series is your perfect next binge. Judi Dench and Geoffery Palmer are a very believable couple, they have undeniable chemistry, but also bicker and must cope with the relentless demands of everyday life. It's the sort of series where the characters feel like an extension of your own dysfunctional family - making it the ultimate comfort watch.
How can I watch As Time Goes By?
You can watch As Time Goes By now on U.
What other Judi Dench dramas can I watch now?
For a classic period drama we’d recommend Cranford, the series transports us to the small Cheshire town called Cranford in the 1840 where we meet a group of formidable middle-class women, led by Miss Matty Jenkyns (Judi Dench) who want to fight the industrial revolution. Cranford is available to watch now on U. For another exceptional period drama starring Judi, we’d recommend The Hollow Crown. Based on Shakespeare’s history plays, the series is split into two crucial bits of history, the ‘Henriad’ (that part of history where all the kings seemed to be called Henry) and the War of the Roses. Judi plays Cecily, Duchess of York and mother to Richard III, in the second brilliant instalment and her performance is unforgettable. You can watch The Hollow Crown on Prime Video.
