Seven Deadly Sins

Seven Deadly Sins

1966 - United Kingdom

Seven self-contained plays by different writers - each featuring one of the sins categorised by the founders of the Christian Church as "deadly." Lists of the seven vary. But for the TV series the sins were avarice, envy, gluttony, lust, pride, sloth and wrath. Each play had a touch of suspense about it but viewers were left to speculate on the sins concerned as each play unfolded - only discovering if they made the right guess as the final credits rolled. 

Series producer Peter Willes told TV Times in 1966; "The treatment varies from comedy to drama and the plays make no pretension to being morality plays or parables. The object is to intrigue and entertain." Among the stars who appeared were Alan Dobie, Robin Bailey, Nigel Stock, Patrick Allen, Reginald Marsh and (at that time) pop singer Adam Faith. 

Contributing writers included Alun Falconer and Joe Orton (acclaimed for his Entertaining Mr. Sloane and Loot). Willes followed up the series a year later with the similarly titled Seven Deadly Virtues

Published on February 12th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Orson Welles' Great Mysteries

Anthology series of different tales introduced by a star considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time

Also tagged Anthology Series

Detective TV series 1964 & 1968

BBC anthology series in which each week a different famous literary detective is brought to the screen. The series spawned several long-running series including 'Cluff,' 'Father Brown,' and 'Sherlock Holmes'

Also tagged Anthology Series

Seven Deadly Virtues

When 1966's Seven Deadly Sins proved popular with viewers, series producer Peter Willes decided to repeat the idea the following year.

Also tagged Anthology Series

The Green Hornet

Created for the radio in 1936 by 'Lone Ranger' inventor George W. Trendle and writer Fran Striker, the Green Hornet aka Britt Reid was originally introduced as the son of Dan Reid, the masked man's nephew.

Also released in 1966

The Frost Report

Political satire and current affairs in a sketch comedy format.

Also released in 1966

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

US anthology series by the production company owned by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, that gave rise to 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Untouchables'

Also tagged Anthology Series

Thriller

Series of twist-in-the-tail dramas designed to keep its viewing audience guessing and at the edge of their seat right up to the final scene.

Also tagged Uk Drama

Alice in Wonderland

Unimpressed with Disney's 1951 animated version of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, Jonathan Miller was keen to develop a new version which would bring to the fore undertones of the story that had been glossed over in the often 'traditional' presentation of this classic children's tale.

Also released in 1966

My Cousin Rachel

Based on Daphne du Maurier’s gothic novel of suspicion, mistrust and murder.

Also tagged Uk Drama