TV series
When the Boat Comes In
1976–1981, English, on BBC One. Created by James Mitchell.
When the Boat Comes In is a British television period drama produced by the BBC between 8 January 1976 and 21 April 1981. Taking place between 1919 to 1937, Jack Ford is a veteran of The Great War who returns to his poverty-stricken (fictional) town of Gallowshield in the North East of England. It dramatises the interwar political struggles of the 1920s and 1930s, and explores the impact of national and international politics upon Ford and those around him.
- Seasons
- 4
- Episodes
- 51
- Episode length
- 50 min
- Status
- Ended in 1981
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Where to watch When the Boat Comes In
When the Boat Comes In isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can buy it online.
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Amazon VideoAvailability in India as of 10 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Latest episode
S4 E10: Roll of Honour
Aired 21 April 1981
Seasons 4
Cast & crew
- James MitchellCreator
- James BolamJack Ford · 51 ep
- James GarbuttBill Seaton · 39 ep
- Jean HeywoodBella Seaton · 39 ep
- John NightingaleTom Seaton · 39 ep
- Edward WilsonBilly Seaton · 35 ep
- Malcolm TerrisMatt Headley · 34 ep
- Susan JamesonJessie Seaton · 30 ep
- Madelaine NewtonDolly Mather · 28 ep
- Basil HensonSir Horatio Manners · 23 ep
- Rosalind BaileySarah Lytton · 23 ep
- Geoffrey RoseArthur Ashton · 18 ep
- William FoxDuke of Bedlington · 13 ep
Details
- First aired
- 8 January 1976
- Last aired
- 21 April 1981
- Network
- BBC One
- Language
- English
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Type
- Scripted
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News & fan talk
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When the Boat Comes In: quick answers
Is When the Boat Comes In worth watching?
When the Boat Comes In doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How many seasons of When the Boat Comes In are there?
When the Boat Comes In has 4 seasons and 51 episodes, about 50 minutes each.
Is When the Boat Comes In finished?
Yes. When the Boat Comes In ended in 1981, so you can watch the whole story.
Which OTT platform is When the Boat Comes In on?
When the Boat Comes In isn’t on a subscription OTT platform in India, but you can buy it online. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
When the Boat Comes In parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for When the Boat Comes In yet.
What shows are like When the Boat Comes In?
If you liked When the Boat Comes In, try Poldark, Cranford, Dickensian.
Who created When the Boat Comes In?
When the Boat Comes In was created by James Mitchell and stars James Bolam, James Garbutt, Jean Heywood.