Lotus Eaters, The (BBC Two 1972-1973, Ian Hendry, Wanda Ventham)

In drama series The Lotus Eaters English couple Erik and Ann Shepherd run a bar in Crete. As this slightly strange series progressed various secrets about their past, including the fact they were involved with the secret service, were revealed. Season one was sort of made up of 9 individual plays with each character getting a lead role whilst season two was more serialised and focusing on the Shepherd’s espionage exploits.

production details
UK / BBC Two / 15×50 minutes / Broadcast 23 April 1972 – 12 August 1973

Writer: Michael J. Bird / Producer: Anthony Read (1), Michael Glynn (2) / Designer: Colin Shaw / Costume Design: Judy Allen

regular cast
Erik Shepherd……………………………. IAN HENDRY
Ann Shepherd……………………………. WANDA VENTHAM
Nestor Turton…………………………….. MAURICE DENHAM
Major Edward Woolley…………………. THORLEY WALTERS
Mrs Miriam Woolley……………………. SYLVIA COLERIDGE
Donald Culley……………………………. JAMES KERRY
Leigh Mervish……………………………. CAROL CLEVELAND
Ruth Stewart…………………………….. CYD HAYMAN

THE EPISODES

SEASON ONE

1. COLD WIND FROM THE NORTH [23.4.72]
Erik and Ann Shepherd’s marriage is, at best, uneasy – haunted by memories they would both rather forget. Donald Culley’s arrival in Aghios Nikolaos stirs up more than even he realises.

Ruth Stewart – Cyd Hayman
Donald Culley – James Kerry
Controller – Frank Duncan

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by Cyril Coke

2. THE PRESENT MRS CLIVE [30.4.72]
David Clive is a weak man, trapped in an unhappy marriage, who takes refuge in Aghios Nikolaos and finally establishes his independence. So why is his wife so confident she can still get him back?

David Clive – Michael McStay
Lorna Clive – Ann Firbank
Jennifer Neal – Susan Tebb

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by Douglas Camfield

3. AND HERA HAD A SISTER [7.5.72]

Storm clouds gather over Aghios Nikolaos as Erik Shepherd and his customers await a stranger. “We are all so vulnerable,” says Captain Krasakis. “Conscience is every man’s cross as shame is his crown of thorns.”

Sheila Fleming – Pamela Roland
Machin – Derek Ware

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by Douglas Camfield

4. A TOUCH OF HOME [14.5.72]
“I know what you’re thinking. Why all this fuss over a box of groceries? But it’s more than that. It’s important. You see, it’s a touch of home.”

Major and Mrs Edward Woolley live a perfectly ordered existence on Crete. But when the calm routine is broken, their life explodes into a violent reaction.

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by Cyril Coke

5. APHRODITE [21.5.72]
Like the goddess Aphrodite, Julie Johnson drifts into Aghios Nikolaos from the sea. And like Aphrodite she disrupts the lives of all she meets, particularly Ann and Erik Shepherd.

Julie – Suzan Farmer
Val – Ingrd Hafner
Nat – Gary Waldhorn
Boat owner – Ken Wynne

Written by Jack Ronder
Directed by David Cunliffe

6. A TIGER IN BRISTOL STREET [28.5.72]
Nester Turton’s life in Aghios Nikolaos comprises drinking and whoring, which he does in equal measure when funds permit. But when Nestor’s past catches up with him the results are hilarious. For Nestor, it seems, has been dead for years …

Jervis Duncan – Peter Woodthorpe
Monica Turton – Alethea Charlton

Written by David Fisher
Directed by Cyril Coke

7. THE FASCINATING COUPLE [4.6.72]
No Cretan will set foot on the deserted island of Spinalonga. Philip and Leigh Mervish find the powerful atmosphere of this former leper colony perfect for a psychological experiment.

They talk Aghios Nikolaos’ resident hippies, Kirsten and Mark, into helping them. But things don’t go quite according to plan.

Written by David Weir
Directed by David Cunliffe

8. YOU MIGHT GET HURT, JOCASTA [11.6.72]
Alan Fletcher, Aghios Nikolaos’ very own “Ernest Hemingway”, seems to have the perfect life – but as viewers know by now things are seldom the way they seem. Meanwhile, two people return to Aghios, and the marriage of Erik and Ann Shepherd is strained to breaking point.

Jocasta – Anouska Hempel
Alan Fletcher – Griffith Jones
Alexia – Thalia Kouri
Donald Culley – James Kerry

Written by David Weir
Directed by Douglas Camfield

9. THE CLIMBING WAVE [18.6.72]
As the town celebrates the festival of St Nicholas, the tension becomes unbearable. Whether the Shepherd’s marriage will survive is no longer the question. Death stalks the streets of Aghios Nikolaos and nothing will ever be the same again.

Donald Culley – James Kerry

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by David Cunliffe

SEASON TWO

(10) 1. THERE AND BACK BY CANDLELIGHT [8.7.73]
The story of Erik and Ann Shepherd continues. Will they return to Aghios Nikolaos and face up to the web of intrigue and mystery in which they find themselves so deeply involved? Before they do, fate has one more trick in store for Erik.

Major Constantinos – John Savident
Richards – Ian Fairbanks

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by Cyril Coke

(11) 2. A KIND OF TREASON [15.7.73]
The Shepherds are back in Aghios Nikolaos, and the subject of much interest. A new game is being played out and while Captain Krasakis seeks to identify the players, Erik struggles to understand the rules.

Major Constantinos – John Savident
Richards – Ian Fairbanks

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by Viktors Ritelis

(12) 3. A VERY LONG SPOON [29.7.73]
“You see the terrible thing about all this business is that you can no longer trust anyone,” says Captain Krasakis. Erik realises how true this is when Ann regains her memory, and the Shepherds learn that even the dead can still spring a surprise

Written by David Weir
Directed by Cyril Coke [29.7.73]

(13). 4 BESIDE A CROOKED STILE [29.7.73]
The first player makes his move and the tensions and pressures increase on the Shepherds, particularly when they lose a very close friend.

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by Viktors Ritelis

(14) 5. THE WELL DIGGERS [5.8.73]
“When two people whisper together in a corner they’re usually digging a well for a third one to fall into,” Erik Shepherd tells Sam Webber. As the masks come off Erik forms an unusual alliance.

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by Cyril Coke

(15) 6. AND IF YOU HAVE TIME, LORD [12.8.73]
With true identities revealed, it is time for Erik to settle a few old scores. Ann comes to a decision and the Shepherds’ marriage faces its biggest test …

Written by Michael J Bird
Directed by Viktor Ritelis

An episode guide by Dave Rice of the Michael J. Bird website.