archytele The Vault

Tales of the Unexpected 1979

★ 6.8/10 · 50 votes Drama 9 seasons · 112 eps Ended
Where to watch: Shout! Factory Amazon ChannelThe Roku ChannelTubi TVSky GoNow TV
Quick answer

What is Tales of the Unexpected?

Tales of the Unexpected is a British television anthology series that originally aired between 1979 and 1988. During its first two series, the program was known as Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected.

Type
TV series
Year
1979
Status
Ended
Episodes
112
Runtime
25 minutes
First aired
Mar 24, 1979
Last aired
May 13, 1988
Original language
EN
Origin
GB
Networks
ITV1
Genres
Drama
Updated
Availability by region

Where to watch

Stream

Sky GoNow TV
Check current availability ↗

Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.

Planning tool

How long to binge?

Estimate the schedule using 112 episodes and an average 25-minute runtime.

Trailer

Overview

Tales of the Unexpected is a British television anthology series that originally aired between 1979 and 1988. During its first two series, the program was known as Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected. Produced by Anglia Television, the show features a collection of short dramas that explore sinister and wryly comedic themes. A defining characteristic of the series is that each episode concludes with an unexpected twist ending. For the first four seasons, the majority of the stories were adapted from the short fiction of Roald Dahl. In addition to his role as a writer for the first series, Roald Dahl also served as the presenter for the program. Throughout its run, the anthology featured a variety of guest stars, including performers such as Andrew Ray, Forbes Collins, and Richard Johnson. The series remains documented as a complete collection of works that emphasize dark, comedic storytelling within a television format.

Advertisement

Should you watch it?

“This British anthology series delivers sinister, wryly comedic short dramas featuring a signature twist ending.”

Reasons to watch
  • features big-name guest stars
  • includes stories by Roald Dahl
Keep in mind
  • contains varied narrative tones

Watch it if you enjoy short, standalone dramas that conclude with an unexpected turn of events.

The series features sinister themes and dark humor suitable for viewers of classic anthology dramas.

Ask the Vault

Ask anything about Tales of the Unexpected — answers are spoiler-safe.

Your verdict

Is Tales of the Unexpected worth watching?

Cast

Episode guide

Season 1 · 9 episodes Open the complete Season 1 guide →
Season 2 · 16 episodes
Season 3 · 9 episodes
Season 4 · 17 episodes
Season 5 · 18 episodes

Frequently asked questions

What is the format of the show?

The show is a British television anthology series where each episode presents a self-contained story.

Who is associated with the series?

Roald Dahl wrote and presented early episodes of the series, which also features many guest stars.

When did the series air?

The series originally aired between 1979 and 1988.

What kind of stories are told?

The stories often contain sinister and wryly comedic undertones with a twist at the end.

How many seasons does the show have?

The series spans nine seasons.