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.
Trailer
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
Season 1 · 10 episodes
- E1 Shattered Dreams Oct 22, 1981
- E2 All Aboard Oct 29, 1981
- E3 Internment Nov 5, 1981
- E4 What Would You Do For... Nov 12, 1981
- E5 Malaria Nov 19, 1981
- E6 Rape Nov 26, 1981
- E7 Unnatural Friendship Dec 3, 1981
- E8 Escape Dec 10, 1981
- E9 Five Hundred Hats Dec 17, 1981
- E10 Christmas Dec 24, 1981
Season 2 · 10 episodes
- E1 The March Oct 21, 1982
- E2 The Price Oct 28, 1982
- E3 Suicide Nov 4, 1982
- E4 Penance Nov 11, 1982
- E5 Breaking Vows Nov 18, 1982
- E6 New Arrivals Nov 25, 1982
- E7 Rendezvous Dec 2, 1982
- E8 ...for Food Dec 9, 1982
- E9 Peacefully in the Night Dec 16, 1982
- E10 Comeuppance Dec 23, 1982
Season 3 · 10 episodes
- E1 Go Down Fighting Oct 7, 1984
- E2 Wealth of Stores Oct 14, 1984
- E3 Acclimatization Oct 21, 1984
- E4 Marion is Wanted Oct 28, 1984
- E5 Scars Nov 5, 1984
- E6 Diary Nov 12, 1984
- E7 Evidence Nov 19, 1984
- E8 The Visit Nov 26, 1984
- E9 On the Rocks Dec 3, 1984
- E10 Sayonara 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.