Season 3 • Episode 7
LatestLaurence tries to win Jane back and she throws a New Year's Eve party that promises to change many people's lives.
Agony is a British sitcom produced by LWT for ITV, broadcast from 1979 to 1981. It stars Maureen Lipman as successful agony aunt Jane Lucas, whose own personal life and marriage is a disaster. It was written by Len Richmond, Anna Raeburn, Stan Hey and Andrew Nickolds. Although a comedy, Agony sometimes dealt with taboo issues such as drug use, racism, abortion, interracial relationships, and swinging, and was the first British sitcom to portray a gay couple as non-camp, witty, intelligent and happy people. It also openly mocked the government, the ruling classes, and religion, and occasionally contained dark and dramatic storylines.
Writing
Taboo-smashing scripts that still feel radical today.
Acting
Maureen Lipman's perfectly pitched desperation and glamour.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Creator Anna Raeburn was a real agony aunt, and Jane's radio show mirrored her actual BBC program — art imitating messy life.
The gay couple Rob and Mike were revolutionary — previous British TV portrayed gay men as either tragic victims or screaming stereotypes. These two got to be boring and married like everyone else.
GB
