As Time Goes By (TV series)

As Time Goes By is a British romantic sitcom television series which aired on BBC One from 1992 to 2002, with a special in 2005. The show starred Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer as Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, respectively, two former lovers who are reunited after 38 years.

The premise centers around their rekindled romance and the challenges they face navigating their relationship later in life, complicated by interfering family members and friends. Jean runs a secretarial agency, and Lionel is a writer and former British Army officer who has returned to England after spending many years in Kenya.

Much of the humor derives from the characters' personalities, their differing perspectives on life, and the various misunderstandings and mishaps that arise from their interactions with others, particularly Jean's daughter Judith (Moira Brooker) and her overbearing boss, Alistair Deacon (Philip Bretherton), and Lionel's publisher and friend, Stephen (also played by Philip Bretherton in later series when Alistair was no longer a regular character). The show also explores themes of aging, second chances, and the enduring power of love.

The series was created by Bob Larbey, who also wrote many of the episodes. As Time Goes By was a ratings success and is considered one of the most popular British sitcoms of the 1990s. It received numerous awards and nominations, including a British Comedy Award for Best Sitcom.