
Fresh Fields Episode Rating Graph
Mar 1984 - Oct 1986

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Mar 1984 - Oct 1986
3.8
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Fresh Fields is a British situation comedy written by John T. Chapman and produced by Thames Television for ITV between 7 March 1984 and 23 October 1986. A ratings success at the time, the show is well remembered for its opening titles featuring a silhouette of a person in a rocking chair. It stars Julia McKenzie and Anton Rodgers as Hester and William Fields, a devoted middle-class couple with an idyllic suburban lifestyle. William works while Hester keeps home. The crux of the show was that she was always looking to try new hobbies or find ways to improve her life, much of which exasperated her hard-working husband. The family home had a granny flat attached, in which Hester's mother Nancy lived. She was divorced from Hester's father Guy although remarried him as the series progressed. The couple had a daughter called Emma who frequently telephoned but never appeared. Her husband Peter did appear often. They later had a son — the Fields' first grandchild — whom they named Guy, after his great-grandfather. Perhaps, the best remembered supporting character was Sonia Barrett who would frequently pop round to borrow items to replace hers due to breakage, theft or mislaying. Hester was not perturbed by this, as the two were close friends, but it used to irritate William. Sonia had the show's only catchphrase — she would always knock on the back door of the Fields' home and then say It's only Sonia! as she walked in. This would sometimes lead to applause of recognition from the studio audience, a phenomenon more regularly seen within American sitcoms. Sonia's husband John appeared on occasion, as did William's secretary Miss Denham, played by Daphne Oxenford.
S2 Ep1
7.5
5th Sep 1984
While celebrating their wedding anniversary at a posh restaurant, Hester and William spot Sonia's husband with another woman.
S4 Ep8
7.0
23rd Oct 1986
After a sojourn in Italy, the Fields return home to celebrate Hester's 45th birthday. Despite William's back going out, and some complications arising from misunderstandings, they settle on dinner out to celebrate whereupon Hester is summoned to deal with an emergency at Lucy's Kitchen. This turns out to be a ruse as the restaurant is packed with their friends for a surprise party, and Guy and Nancy announce that they were re-married that morning, leaving Hester in floods of happy tears.
S2 Ep6
7.0
10th Oct 1984
The Fields try to cope with the pressure of daughter Emma's long-dealyed wedding day.
S2 Ep2
7.0
12th Sep 1984
Hester's fencing instructor takes a fancy to her.
S1 Ep4
7.0
28th Mar 1984
Complications ensue when one of William's clients becomes attracted to Hester.
S1 Ep5
5.5
4th Apr 1984
Now that Emma is out on her own, William and Hester ponder selling the house and moving somewhere smaller.
S2 Ep3
5.5
19th Sep 1984
Hester's helping out with the church bazaar inevitably draws William into the chaos. The high point is a rendition of ""Three Little Maids From School"" by Sonia, Hester, and William.
S1 Ep1
5.8
7th Mar 1984
Hester has joined the roster of amateur cooks who takes turns as chef for "Lucy's Kitchen" in Barnes, her specialty being classic French cuisine. But on her first night, no one shows up at the restaurant except William, who saves the day by pretending they are on a romantic rendezvous.
S2 Ep5
6.0
3rd Oct 1984
William has second thoughts after he agrees to let Hester fill in for his secretary.
S3 Ep1
6.0
4th Sep 1985
It always pays to call in an expert when you decide to redecorate. But unfortunately the one Hester finds falls down on the job—literally.
S1 Ep1
5.8
7th Mar 1984
Hester has joined the roster of amateur cooks who takes turns as chef for "Lucy's Kitchen" in Barnes, her specialty being classic French cuisine. But on her first night, no one shows up at the restaurant except William, who saves the day by pretending they are on a romantic rendezvous.
S1 Ep2
7.0
14th Mar 1984
William is tiring of Hester's efforts at self-improvement. Meanwhile, Hester is furious at being rejected for a job as assistant in a boutique because she is too old, and disguises herself as a brainless twenty-soemthing to apply again.
S1 Ep3
7.0
21st Mar 1984
William has been looking forward to relaxing on a fishing trip, and is dismayed when Hester and Nancy insist on accompanying him.
S1 Ep4
7.0
28th Mar 1984
Complications ensue when one of William's clients becomes attracted to Hester.
S1 Ep5
5.5
4th Apr 1984
Now that Emma is out on her own, William and Hester ponder selling the house and moving somewhere smaller.
S1 Ep6
11th Apr 1984
Emma announces that she is pregnant.