The Storyteller

A wizened narrator, played by John Hurt, introduces and frames a new folk tale in each episode, often accompanied by his dry, cynical dog. The Storyteller presents reworked myths, fables, and legends as fully staged dramas, shifting tone from whimsical to shadowy depending on the tale. Episodes mix live actors, location work, and puppetry to realize witches, monsters, and enchanted items, with the narrator breaking the fourth wall to guide the audience through moral puzzles and twists. The series keeps outcomes self-contained, so you get a fresh mood and lesson every time without spoilers about where the series is heading.

Created by Jim Henson and Anthony Minghella and first broadcast in 1988, the show pairs Hurt's narration with Henson-style creature work and practical effects. The format highlights short, self-contained stories, letting production design and puppetry take center stage in each installment.

The series didn't sweep major awards, but it earned notice within industry circles for its technical achievements, particularly puppetry, makeup, and creature design. Craftspeople and genre fans have long pointed to the show's hands-on effects as a strong element of its lasting appeal.

The Storyteller influenced later television efforts that mix folklore with adult-friendly tones, and it helped revive interest in presenting traditional tales on screen without sanitizing their darker edges. Its use of a knowing narrator and a grumpy canine sidekick became a memorable shorthand for blending warmth and irony, and the show's visual language still gets cited by puppet artists and fantasy producers.

Audience and critical response has generally been positive, reflected in a vote average of 8.172/10 from 230 votes. Reviewers and viewers praised Hurt's voice work and the series' willingness to let stories land with moral ambiguity, focusing on themes like cleverness versus greed, the cost of wishes, and how ordinary people react under pressure. The result is a series that feels aimed at families but willing to respect the darker veins in traditional storytelling.