What is Last of the Summer Wine about?

Unencumbered by wives, jobs or any other responsibilities, three senior citizens who've never really grown up explore their world in the Yorkshire Dales. They spend their days speculating about their fellow townsfolk and thinking up adventures not usually favored by the elderly. Last of the Summ...

Last of the Summer Wine

Name: Last of the Summer Wine
Genre: Comedy
Released: 1973-01-04
Rating: 7.1
Cast: Peter Sallis, Frank Thornton, Jane Freeman, Jean Fergusson, Robert Fyfe

TV Show 1973 7.1 /10

Created by Roy Clarke

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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026

About Last of the Summer Wine

Three retired friends in a Yorkshire village spend their days scheming small adventures, trading tall stories and gently mocking the town around them. Without work or family obligations, they meet on benches, in pubs and along winding lanes, turning ordinary moments into awkward schemes and unexpected mischief. The focus stays on character interaction and light humor, with the pairings and supporting town figures feeding each episode's jokes and misunderstandings. The series keeps a steady, slow-moving rhythm, favoring warm observation and quiet absurdity over plot-heavy narratives or dramatic turns.

Created by Roy Clarke, Last of the Summer Wine began as a 1973 Comedy Playhouse episode and grew into a long-running series, running to 295 episodes until 2010. Its early episodes established the comic tone and ensemble cast, including Peter Sallis, Frank Thornton, Jane Freeman, Jean Fergusson and Robert Fyfe.

It never dominated international prize lists, but it earned steady recognition in Britain and became a fixture on television schedules. While not a major awards magnet, the show attracted loyal viewers and occasional critical nods across its long run, cementing its status within UK broadcasting history.

The show left a clear mark on British culture, from its sunlit depictions of rural life to the fondly remembered character dynamics. Its longevity helped make locations in the Yorkshire Dales tourist stops, and many viewers cite small scenes and recurring jokes when remembering British sitcom history. The gentle, eccentric tone and recurring set pieces made it easy to reference in other media and conversations about long-running TV.

Critics and audiences tend to praise the series for its warm portrayal of aging, friendship and small-town life, though some find the pace slow and the plots slight. On user scores it holds a respectable 7.1/10 from 39 votes, reflecting consistent appreciation rather than universal acclaim. Major themes include companionship, nostalgia and finding mischief in everyday moments, all delivered through understated, character-driven comedy.

Details

Release Date: January 04, 1973
User Ratings: 39 votes
Type: TV Series
Seasons: 31
Episodes: 269
Genres: Comedy

Official Trailer

Cast

Peter Sallis

Clegg

Frank Thornton

Truly

Jane Freeman

Ivy

Jean Fergusson

Marina

Robert Fyfe

Howard

Juliette Kaplan

Pearl

Sarah Thomas

Glenda

Jean Alexander

Auntie Wainwright

Mike Grady

Barry

Brian Murphy

Alvin

Created by: Roy Clarke

Seasons (31 seasons, 269 episodes)

Season 1

7 episodes - 1973

Season 2

7 episodes - 1975

Season 3

7 episodes - 1976

Season 4

8 episodes - 1977

Season 5

7 episodes - 1979

Season 6

7 episodes - 1982

Season 7

6 episodes - 1983

Season 8

6 episodes - 1985

Season 9

12 episodes - 1987

Season 10

6 episodes - 1988

Season 11

7 episodes - 1989

Season 12

10 episodes - 1990

Season 13

6 episodes - 1991

Season 14

10 episodes - 1992

Season 15

9 episodes - 1993

Season 16

8 episodes - 1995

Season 17

10 episodes - 1995

Season 18

10 episodes - 1997

Season 19

10 episodes - 1998

Season 20

10 episodes - 1999

Season 21

10 episodes - 2000

Season 22

10 episodes - 2001

Season 23

10 episodes - 2002

Season 24

10 episodes - 2003

Season 25

10 episodes - 2004

Season 26

10 episodes - 2005

Season 27

9 episodes - 2006

Season 28

10 episodes - 2007

Season 29

11 episodes - 2008

Season 30

10 episodes - 2009

Season 31

6 episodes - 2010

Frequently Asked Questions

Last of the Summer Wine is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Yes, Last of the Summer Wine is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Last of the Summer Wine has 31 seasons with a total of 269 episodes.

With a rating of 7.1/10 from 39 viewers, Last of the Summer Wine is well-regarded and recommended by viewers.

Last of the Summer Wine stars Peter Sallis, Frank Thornton, Jane Freeman, Jean Fergusson, and Robert Fyfe.

Last of the Summer Wine was created by Roy Clarke.

Last of the Summer Wine was released on January 04, 1973.

Last of the Summer Wine is a Comedy series.

Yes, Last of the Summer Wine is noted as the longest running comedy Britain has produced and the longest running sitcom in the world. It premiered as a Comedy Playhouse episode in 1973 and continued as a series until 2010.

Peter Sallis plays Clegg, one of the central older friends who spends his days getting into adventures with his mates. He's a core member of the show's trio of senior characters.

Frank Thornton plays Truly, who is one of the recurring older gentlemen in the show's circle of friends. Truly is part of the ensemble that explores the Yorkshire Dales and dreams up schemes.

The series is set in the Yorkshire Dales, and much of its humor and storylines come from the rural village life and countryside around the town. The setting is a big part of the show's charm and atmosphere.