Tenko 1981
What is Tenko?
Tenko is a BBC drama series based on real-life experiences. The series follows a group of women who were formerly comfortably well-off ex-pats living in a specific location.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1981
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 30
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Oct 22, 1981
- Last aired
- Dec 10, 1984
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- AU, GB
- Networks
- BBC One
- Genres
- Drama, War & Politics
- Updated
Where to watch
Stream
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 30 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.
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Overview
Tenko is a BBC drama series based on real-life experiences. The series follows a group of women who were formerly comfortably well-off ex-pats living in a specific location. They are captured by the Japanese during a global conflict. The series is one of the most fondly remembered and acclaimed BBC dramas of its time.
Should you watch it?
“Women ex-pats endure Japanese captivity in WWII Singapore.”
- Based on real experiences
- Highly regarded BBC drama of the early 1980s
- Focuses on a strong female ensemble
- Period pacing may feel slow to modern viewers
Watch it if you enjoy historically grounded dramas about women's resilience in wartime.
The series depicts wartime captivity, containing serious and potentially distressing themes.
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Cast
Episode guide
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Season 1 · 10 episodes
- E1 Shattered Dreams Mytharc Oct 22, 1981
- E2 All Aboard Core Oct 29, 1981
- E3 Internment Core Nov 5, 1981
- E4 What Would You Do For... Core Nov 12, 1981
- E5 Malaria Core Nov 19, 1981
- E6 Rape Core Nov 26, 1981
- E7 Unnatural Friendship Core Dec 3, 1981
- E8 Escape Mytharc Dec 10, 1981
- E9 Five Hundred Hats Mytharc Dec 17, 1981
- E10 Christmas Mytharc Dec 24, 1981
Season 2 · 10 episodes
- E1 The March Mytharc Oct 21, 1982
- E2 The Price Core Oct 28, 1982
- E3 Suicide Core Nov 4, 1982
- E4 Penance Mytharc Nov 11, 1982
- E5 Breaking Vows Core Nov 18, 1982
- E6 New Arrivals Core Nov 25, 1982
- E7 Rendezvous Core Dec 2, 1982
- E8 ...for Food Core Dec 9, 1982
- E9 Peacefully in the Night Mytharc Dec 16, 1982
- E10 Comeuppance Mytharc Dec 23, 1982
Season 3 · 10 episodes
- E1 Go Down Fighting Mytharc Oct 7, 1984
- E2 Wealth of Stores Mytharc Oct 14, 1984
- E3 Acclimatization Core Oct 21, 1984
- E4 Marion is Wanted Core Oct 28, 1984
- E5 Scars Mytharc Nov 5, 1984
- E6 Diary Core Nov 12, 1984
- E7 Evidence Core Nov 19, 1984
- E8 The Visit Mytharc Nov 26, 1984
- E9 On the Rocks Mytharc Dec 3, 1984
- E10 Sayonara Mytharc Dec 10, 1984
Frequently asked questions
When did Tenko first air?
Tenko premiered on 22 October 1981.
Who produced the series?
It was co‑produced by the BBC and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
What is the basic premise?
It follows a group of well‑off expatriate women in Singapore who are captured by the Japanese during World II.
Is the story based on real events?
Yes, the series is based on real‑life experiences of women held captive in the war.
What genre does Tenko belong to?
Tenko is a drama series with war and political themes.
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