TV series
The First Churchills
1969, English, on BBC Two. Created by Donald Wilson.
The First Churchills is a 1969 twelve-part BBC television serial starring John Neville as John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and Susan Hampshire as his wife, Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. Written and produced by Donald Wilson, and directed by David Giles, the series is notable as being the first programme shown on PBS's long-running Masterpiece series in the United States.
- Seasons
- 1
- Episodes
- 12
- Episode length
- 50 min
- Status
- Ended in 1969
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Latest episode
S1 E12: Not Without Honour
Aired 13 December 1969
Seasons 1
Cast & crew
- Donald WilsonCreator
- John NevilleJohn Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough · 12 ep
- Susan HampshireSarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough · 12 ep
- John StandingSidney Godolphin · 12 ep
- Sheila GishQueen Mary · 12 ep
- Robert RobinsonLouis XIV · 11 ep
- Margaret TyzackQueen Anne · 9 ep
- Roger MuttonGeorge of Denmark · 8 ep
- John RinghamLaurence Hyde, Lord Rochester · 8 ep
Details
- First aired
- 27 September 1969
- Last aired
- 13 December 1969
- Network
- BBC Two
- Language
- English
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Type
- Miniseries
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News & fan talk
What The First Churchills is based on
The First Churchills is adapted from a memoir or autobiography.
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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The First Churchills: quick answers
Is The First Churchills worth watching?
The First Churchills doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How many seasons of The First Churchills are there?
The First Churchills has 1 season and 12 episodes, about 50 minutes each.
Is The First Churchills finished?
Yes. The First Churchills ended in 1969, so you can watch the whole story.
Which OTT platform is The First Churchills on?
The First Churchills isn’t listed on any OTT platform in India yet. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
The First Churchills parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The First Churchills yet.
What shows are like The First Churchills?
If you liked The First Churchills, try The Crown, The Tudors, Versailles.
Who created The First Churchills?
The First Churchills was created by Donald Wilson and stars John Neville, Susan Hampshire, John Standing.
What is The First Churchills based on?
The First Churchills is adapted from a memoir or autobiography.