Absolutely Fabulous. Image shows from L to R: Bubble (Jane Horrocks), Saffron (Julia Sawalha), Edina (Jennifer Saunders), Mother (June Whitfield), Patsy (Joanna Lumley). Copyright: Saunders And French Productions / BBC
Absolutely Fabulous

Absolutely Fabulous

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One / BBC Two
  • 1992 - 2012
  • 39 episodes (5 series)

Public relations maven Edina and best friend Patsy drive sensible daughter Saffron up the wall with their self-absorbed, substance-abusing escapades. Stars Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 716

Episode menu

Series 4, Episode 5 - Small Opening

Saffron's first play is due to open for a limited run. When Eddy discovers it's autobiographical, she is afraid it will paint her in a bad light and resolves to have the production shut down.

Further details

Absolutely Fabulous. Image shows from L to R: Edina (Jennifer Saunders), Patsy (Joanna Lumley). Copyright: Saunders And French Productions / BBC

On a drugs bender with Patsy, Edina calls the police when she answers her telephone and thinks she hears her long lost son Serge calling for help.

In the fallout, Saffron is forced to admit to her Mother that she has written a play about her own life, and that she must have accidentally dialled her mother during rehearsals. Edina instantly assumes that the play is all about her and will publicly blacken her character.

Edina and Patsy subject Saffy to a tirade of verbal vitriol about how much she had and how much was done for her - including a flashback to a drunken Edina and Patsy taking Saffron to a park in the eighties and playing on the equipment themselves. Saffy returns fire by reminding them of the neglect and irresponsibility that she endured and refuses to back down and cancel the play.

As the rest of the family gather for the play's opening, Saffron invites Edina. Curious, she attends with Patsy and is pleasantly surprised when the play is recieved as a comedy - disappointing the young playwright.

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 28th September 2001
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Thursday 15th December 2011 11:50pm Gold
Friday 16th December 2011 1:50am Gold
Saturday 3rd March 2012 9:40pm Gold
Sunday 4th March 2012 1:45am Gold
Monday 19th March 2012 11:10pm Gold
Tuesday 9th July 2013 11:20pm Gold
Wednesday 10th July 2013 2:15am Gold
Thursday 10th April 2014 12:50am Gold
Thursday 10th April 2014 2:30am Gold
Thursday 5th June 2014 10:20pm Gold
Friday 6th June 2014 1:30am Gold
Tuesday 22nd July 2014 12:05am Gold
Tuesday 22nd July 2014 2:20am Gold
Wednesday 19th November 2014 11:20pm Gold
Thursday 20th November 2014 2:30am Gold
Thursday 24th March 2016 11:20pm Gold
Friday 25th March 2016 3:00am Gold
Wednesday 22nd February 2017 11:00pm W
Monday 27th November 2017 11:40pm Gold
Thursday 30th November 2017 10:00pm W
Thursday 22nd March 2018 9:20pm Gold
Wednesday 13th June 2018 11:40pm W
Thursday 14th June 2018 11:00pm W
Thursday 12th July 2018 11:25pm Gold
Sunday 13th February 2022 11:40pm Gold
Monday 14th February 2022 2:50am Gold
Saturday 25th June 2022 11:20pm Gold
Monday 16th January 2023 9:25pm Gold
Tuesday 17th January 2023 2:20am Gold
Saturday 4th February 2023 12:00am Gold

Cast & crew

Cast
Jennifer Saunders Edina
Joanna Lumley Patsy
Julia Sawalha Saffron
June Whitfield Mother
Jane Horrocks Bubble
Guest cast
Christopher Malcolm Justin (Saffy's Father)
Naoko Mori Sarah
Mo Gaffney Bo (Marshall's Wife)
Christopher Ryan Marshall (Edina's Ex-husband)
Jane Horrocks Katy Grin
Lill Roughley Jude
Miles Western Martin
Emma Pierson Kasha
Josh Neale Josh
Melanie Jessop Police Woman
Ashley Clish Saffron As Child
Jon Plowman Usher
Writing team
Jennifer Saunders Writer
Ruby Wax Script Editor
Production team
Christine Gernon Director
Jon Plowman Producer
Jonathan Paul Llewellyn (as Jonathan P. Llewellyn) Producer
Chris Wadsworth Editor
Harry Banks Production Designer
Simon Brint Composer

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