Tales of the Unexpected

Tales of the Unexpected (1979-1988)

EndedScripted showDrama, Horror, Thriller

Tales of the Unexpected is a British television series originally aired between 1979 and 1988, made by Anglia Television for ITV. The series was an anthology of different tales. Initially episodes were based on the short stories collected in the books Tales of the Unexpected, Kiss Kiss and Someone Like You by Roald Dahl. The stories were sometimes sinister, sometimes wryly comedic, and usually had a twist ending. The upbeat theme music for the series was written by the prolific film and television composer Ron Grainer.

Network
Scheduleevery Friday (25 min)

Last Episode

Mr. Know-All
Season 9Episode 1025 min

Mr. Know-All

Pretty medical student Elly Somerton is working as a hotel chambermaid and falls for a guest at the hotel, Professor Max Kelada. Kelada is a well-known archaeologist, staying at the hotel for a conference, but womanising and fun are more on his mind than business. He tries to seduce Elly, with unexpected results.
May 13, 1988

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S09E10Mr. Know-AllMay 13, 1988
S09E09A Time to DieMay 6, 1988
S09E08The Finger of SuspicionApr 29, 1988
S09E07The Dead Don't StealApr 22, 1988
S09E06Wink Three TimesApr 15, 1988
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did 'Tales of the Unexpected' premiere?

'Tales of the Unexpected' premiered on March 24, 1979.

Who is the creator of 'Tales of the Unexpected'?

'Tales of the Unexpected' was created by Roald Dahl.

What is the premise of 'Tales of the Unexpected'?

'Tales of the Unexpected' is a show that takes ordinary situations and turns them into unexpected and sometimes macabre endings.

Were the episodes of 'Tales of the Unexpected' standalone or connected?

The episodes of 'Tales of the Unexpected' were standalone, with each episode having its own unique story.

How many seasons did 'Tales of the Unexpected' have?

'Tales of the Unexpected' had nine seasons.

Who hosted 'Tales of the Unexpected'?

'Tales of the Unexpected' did not have a traditional host, but each episode began with an animated sequence featuring the silhouette of a man smoking a cigarette.

Who were some of the notable guest stars on 'Tales of the Unexpected'?

Notable guest stars on 'Tales of the Unexpected' include Derek Jacobi, Joan Collins, John Gielgud, and Josephine Tewson.

What countries was 'Tales of the Unexpected' broadcast in?

'Tales of the Unexpected' was broadcast in the UK, the US, and several other countries.

Did 'Tales of the Unexpected' win any awards?

'Tales of the Unexpected' was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards in 1980 and 1982.

How did critics receive 'Tales of the Unexpected'?

Critics generally gave 'Tales of the Unexpected' positive reviews, with many praising its unique storytelling and surprise endings.

What is the most famous episode of 'Tales of the Unexpected'?

The most famous episode of 'Tales of the Unexpected' is arguably "Lamb to the Slaughter," which was adapted from a short story by Roald Dahl and features a woman using a frozen leg of lamb as a murder weapon.

Also known as

  • Στο Παρά Πέντε (Greece)
  • Ιστορίες Μυστηρίου (Greece)
  • Meghökkentő mesék (Hungary)

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