Ever Decreasing Circles
- TV sitcom
- BBC One
- 1984 - 1989
- 27 episodes (4 series)
Martin's self-important world is about to crumble when a charismatic new neighbour tramples all over his kingdom. Stars Richard Briers, Peter Egan, Penelope Wilton, Stanley Lebor and Geraldine Newman
Streaming rank this week: 6,600
Episode menu
Christmas Special
Notes
This episode also features The Sussex Army Cadet Force Band and The Band of the Royal Marines.
This episode is sometimes given the title New Horizons or New Horizons 1989.
Broadcast details
- Date
- Sunday 24th December 1989
- Time
- 7:45pm
- Channel
- BBC One
- Length
- 85 minutes
Cast & crew
| Richard Briers | Martin Bryce |
| Penelope Wilton | Ann Bryce |
| Peter Egan | Paul Ryman |
| Stanley Lebor | Howard Hughes |
| Geraldine Newman | Hilda Hughes |
| Anne Briers (as Ann Davies) | Mrs. Ripper |
| Simon Merrick | Mr Beavis |
| David Janson | Mr Ellison |
| Vanessa Knox-Mawer (as Vanessa Knox Mawer) | Mrs Ellison |
| Brian Cant | Vince |
| Carmel Cryan | Nina |
| Leslie Clack (as Les Clack) | Mr Britten |
| Alexander Scott | Darren |
| Frank Coda | Waiter |
| Noel Slattery | Removal Man |
| John Esmonde | Writer |
| Bob Larbey | Writer |
| Harold Snoad | Director |
| Harold Snoad | Producer |
| Andy Quested | Editor |
| Eric Walmsley | Production Designer |
| Jean Steward | Make-up Designer |
| Mike Jefferies | Lighting Designer |
| Dennis Brack | Costume Designer |
| Nick Ingman | Composer |
Press
Ever Decreasing Circles (Christmas special): The loudest laugh you'll ever hear in a BBC sitcom turns up in this, when Richard Briers wakes up on Boxing Day to discover lying next to him in bed is ... Well, you can guess. It's a hysterical, touching, slightly surreal and avowedly inspiring episode that avoids all cloying sentimentality and goes instead for clumsy, authentic emotion.
Ian Jones, Off The Telly, 17th December 2007