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The Main Chance

  • TV Series
  • 1969–19751969–1975
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
79
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Margaret Ashcroft, Glynn Edwards, Anna Palk, John Stride, and John Wentworth in The Main Chance (1969)
Drama

Maverick lawyer David Main (John Stride) commutes between his twin bases in London and Leeds. His seemingly devil-may-care attitude is contrasted with the steady and cautious approach of his... Read allMaverick lawyer David Main (John Stride) commutes between his twin bases in London and Leeds. His seemingly devil-may-care attitude is contrasted with the steady and cautious approach of his crusty Leeds partner Henry Castleton (John Wentworth). Main's relentless pursuit of mater... Read allMaverick lawyer David Main (John Stride) commutes between his twin bases in London and Leeds. His seemingly devil-may-care attitude is contrasted with the steady and cautious approach of his crusty Leeds partner Henry Castleton (John Wentworth). Main's relentless pursuit of material and career success is, however, tempered by his desire to champion the underdog, for w... Read all

IMDb RATING
7.8/10
79
YOUR RATING
  • Creators
    • John Batt
    • Edmund Ward
  • Stars
    • John Stride
    • Margaret Ashcroft
    • John Wentworth
Top credits
  • Creators
    • John Batt
    • Edmund Ward
  • Stars
    • John Stride
    • Margaret Ashcroft
    • John Wentworth
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Episodes45

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    Photos59

    Margaret Ashcroft and John Stride in The Main Chance (1969)
    Estelle Kohler and John Stride in The Main Chance (1969)
    John Stride and Margaret Brady in The Main Chance (1969)
    Roderic Noble in The Main Chance (1969)
    The Main Chance (1969)
    Margaret Brady in The Main Chance (1969)
    Elizabeth Begley and Jack May in The Main Chance (1969)
    Clifton Jones and John Stride in The Main Chance (1969)
    Elizabeth Begley in The Main Chance (1969)
    Valerie Murray in The Main Chance (1969)
    Anna Palk and John Stride in The Main Chance (1969)
    Freddie Jones in The Main Chance (1969)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Stride
    John Stride
    • David Mainas David Main
    45 episodes45 eps • 1969–1975
    Margaret Ashcroft
    • Margaret Castletonas Margaret Castleton
    34 episodes34 eps • 1969–1975
    John Wentworth
    • Henry Castletonas Henry Castleton
    33 episodes33 eps • 1969–1975
    Anna Palk
    Anna Palk
    • Sarah Courtneyas Sarah Courtney…
    21 episodes21 eps • 1969–1972
    Glynn Edwards
    Glynn Edwards
    • Walter Cleggas Walter Clegg…
    20 episodes20 eps • 1970–1975
    John Arnatt
    John Arnatt
    • Sidney Bulmeras Sidney Bulmer
    13 episodes13 eps • 1969–1970
    Philip Bond
    • Peter Findonas Peter Findon
    12 episodes12 eps • 1969–1975
    Estelle Kohler
    • Hilary Nashas Hilary Nash…
    9 episodes9 eps • 1972
    Sharon Maughan
    Sharon Maughan
    • Inge Lindstromas Inge Lindstrom…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1975
    Ingrid Hafner
    • Laura Grantonas Laura Granton
    6 episodes6 eps • 1975
    Gary Bond
    Gary Bond
    • Andrew Retfordas Andrew Retford…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1972–1975
    Liz Bamber
    • Priscilla Gravesas Priscilla Graves
    5 episodes5 eps • 1969
    Kate O'Mara
    Kate O'Mara
    • Julia Mainas Julia Main
    4 episodes4 eps • 1969
    Denis Lill
    Denis Lill
    • Stephen Howardas Stephen Howard
    4 episodes4 eps • 1975
    David Lodge
    David Lodge
    • Det. Ch. Supt. Guthrieas Det. Ch. Supt. Guthrie…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1969–1970
    Ronald Radd
    Ronald Radd
    • Lord Arkwrightas Lord Arkwright…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1970–1975
    Jack Watson
    Jack Watson
    • Harry Selbyas Harry Selby…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1970–1972
    Stuart Wilson
    Stuart Wilson
    • Edward Ransomas Edward Ransom…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1972–1975
    • Creators
      • John Batt
      • Edmund Ward
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    Maverick lawyer David Main (John Stride) commutes between his twin bases in London and Leeds. His seemingly devil-may-care attitude is contrasted with the steady and cautious approach of his crusty Leeds partner Henry Castleton (John Wentworth). Main's relentless pursuit of material and career success is, however, tempered by his desire to champion the underdog, for whom he feels an occasionally grudging kinship. —GusF
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Batt was credited under the pseudonym John Malcolm as writer/creator and composer of title music, but under his real name as legal advisor.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Wogan: Christmas With The Carringtons (1985)

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Start of a trend
    I too watched the first episode on talking pictures but never having heard of it before and I don't think I will be back for episode 2. I can see it must have been new and cutting edge at the time but it has been copied so many times over the next 50 that unless you have some connection with the show you will find nothing new.
    helpful•0
    8
    • evans-15475
    • Jun 1, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 18, 1969 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • Yorkshire Television (YTV)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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    Margaret Ashcroft, Glynn Edwards, Anna Palk, John Stride, and John Wentworth in The Main Chance (1969)
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