Kingdom is a British television series produced by Parallel Film and Television Productions for the ITV network. It was created by Simon Wheeler and stars Stephen Fry as Peter Kingdom, a Norfolk solicitor who is coping with family, colleagues, and the strange locals who come to him for legal assistance. The series also starred Hermione Norris, Celia Imrie, Karl Davies, Phyllida Law and Tony Slattery.
The first series of six one-hour episodes was aired in 2007 and averaged six million viewers per week. Despite a mid-series ratings dip, the executive chairman of ITV praised the programme and ordered a second series, which was filmed in 2007 and broadcast in January and February 2008. Filming on the third series ran from July to September 2008 for broadcast from 7 June 2009.
Stephen Fry announced on his blog in October 2009 that ITV was cancelling the series, which was later confirmed by the channel, which said that given tighter budgets, more expensive productions were being cut.
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Best Episodes of Kingdom
Episode 6
S3 Ep6
8.4
12th Jul 2009
When a duke starts selling his titles on eBay his estranged brother seeks out Peter to ask for his help - thinking the man is doing it to fund a drug habit.
Having previously collapsed after feeling unwell, Peter makes a trip to his doctor for test, resulting in the doctor wanting to run more tests. Gloria, meanwhile, frets about how to tell Peter about the birth certificate she discovered up in the attic... Does it have anything to do with his current state of health?
Episode 4
S3 Ep4
8.1
28th Jun 2009
Peter finds out who the real father of his niece is. Lyle tries to sort out a depute over some land between some golfers and druids. He also tries to take the next step in his relationship with Emily. Peter tries to help somebody who is being blackmailed.
Episode 6
S1 Ep6
8.1
27th May 2007
Peter learns Lyle intends to take a city job and hands him the case of an Auschwitz survivor who has received multiple eviction notices from the council. The man's story emotionally drains Lyle and when the eviction order is dropped he decides to stay. Beatrice decides to "bond" with Gloria as Peter meets the Wallers again and later discovers that someone else tried to pay off Simon's debts. A pregnant woman arrives at the office, revealing Simon is the father, and that it happened after his supposed death. Beatrice joins Peter on Simon's beach.
Episode 2
S2 Ep2
8.1
20th Jan 2008
Peter finds hiding his brother difficult. Peter is asked by a woman to investigate the nurse looking after her ill father as she is worried she is more interested in his money than his health. Lyle finds himself involved in a dispute between a naturist community and a group of unhappy local residents.
Episode 2
S3 Ep2
8.1
14th Jun 2009
The local sci-fi community are intrigued by some crop circles in the area. A local farmer decides to make some money by charging people to see them.
Worst Episodes of Kingdom
Episode 1
S1 Ep1
7.3
22nd Apr 2007
Peter Kingdom is slowly getting his life back on track after the disappearance of his brother six months earlier, but normality is upset when his sister Beatrice moves into his spare room after a spell in rehab. Peter looks into two cases; in one, two sons have returned for the execution of their mother's estate, and in the other, local man Sidney Snell wants to bring action against the local planning authority. As Peter sits down with a drink at the end of the episode, Simon's phone rings.
Episode 5
S1 Ep5
7.5
20th May 2007
Peter takes on the case of a woman who wants to divorce her husband after discovering his transvestism, while Lyle agrees to represent a horse owner against Romany travellers, only to later take the travellers' side. During a lucid spell, Beatrice confronts Peter to find out what he knows about Simon's disappearance. A windfall allows Peter to pay off Simon's gambling debts, but upon doing so he is told that this will not be the end of the matter.
Episode 4
S2 Ep4
7.5
3rd Feb 2008
Simon wants to work at the practice again, and Snell has a proposition for Gloria.
Episode 3
S1 Ep3
7.6
6th May 2007
A father and his son come to Peter after their insurers refuse to pay when their fishing boat is destroyed in an explosion. Lyle investigates further, discovering that the father once served a prison sentence for insurance fraud. Beatrice meets a local artist, Alan, and joins his life class as the model. The council takes revenge on Snell after his many small plots of land prevent them from building anything. Peter meets Christopher Waller's parents when he finds out that Simon's bank account has been regularly paying out to them.
Episode 3
S3 Ep3
7.6
21st Jun 2009
Peter faces a tricky task when he tries to find a middle ground in the minefield of scientific research and animal rights. Nigel and Lyle set out to save an order of nuns from eviction. Beatrice attempts to distract Peter after he questions her about Petra's father.
Kingdom Episode Guide
Episode 1
S1 Ep1
7.3
22nd Apr 2007
Peter Kingdom is slowly getting his life back on track after the disappearance of his brother six months earlier, but normality is upset when his sister Beatrice moves into his spare room after a spell in rehab. Peter looks into two cases; in one, two sons have returned for the execution of their mother's estate, and in the other, local man Sidney Snell wants to bring action against the local planning authority. As Peter sits down with a drink at the end of the episode, Simon's phone rings.
Episode 2
S1 Ep2
7.7
29th Apr 2007
A woman arrives at the offices claiming her ex-employer has stolen her baby. Beatrice causes mayhem by shredding documents and sticking labels to everything. Peter has the call to Simon's phone traced, learning that it came from an anonymous international number. He has a heart-to-heart with Auriel as the locals prepare for the 127th annual Dyke Leaping Championships. Peter discovers Simon's driving licence is in the name of "Christopher Waller", a deceased client.
Episode 3
S1 Ep3
7.6
6th May 2007
A father and his son come to Peter after their insurers refuse to pay when their fishing boat is destroyed in an explosion. Lyle investigates further, discovering that the father once served a prison sentence for insurance fraud. Beatrice meets a local artist, Alan, and joins his life class as the model. The council takes revenge on Snell after his many small plots of land prevent them from building anything. Peter meets Christopher Waller's parents when he finds out that Simon's bank account has been regularly paying out to them.
Episode 4
S1 Ep4
8.1
13th May 2007
A girl's parents retain Peter to sue Cambridge University because she has not been offered a place. Peter visits his old tutor to investigate and learns that Simon contacted him for money shortly before he disappeared. Gloria is upset because it is a year since her husband died, and her son is picked up by the police for breaking windows in the town. Lyle assists Snell in a scheme to stop the gas company building on a piece of local grazing land. Beatrice uses Lyle to win back Alan, but on discovering that Alan has again been cheating on his sister Peter confronts him.
Episode 5
S1 Ep5
7.5
20th May 2007
Peter takes on the case of a woman who wants to divorce her husband after discovering his transvestism, while Lyle agrees to represent a horse owner against Romany travellers, only to later take the travellers' side. During a lucid spell, Beatrice confronts Peter to find out what he knows about Simon's disappearance. A windfall allows Peter to pay off Simon's gambling debts, but upon doing so he is told that this will not be the end of the matter.
Episode 6
S1 Ep6
8.1
27th May 2007
Peter learns Lyle intends to take a city job and hands him the case of an Auschwitz survivor who has received multiple eviction notices from the council. The man's story emotionally drains Lyle and when the eviction order is dropped he decides to stay. Beatrice decides to "bond" with Gloria as Peter meets the Wallers again and later discovers that someone else tried to pay off Simon's debts. A pregnant woman arrives at the office, revealing Simon is the father, and that it happened after his supposed death. Beatrice joins Peter on Simon's beach.
