Butterflies (TV series)

Butterflies is a British sitcom written by Carla Lane, originally broadcast on BBC2 from 1978 to 1983. It stars Wendy Craig as Ria Parkinson, Geoffrey Palmer as her dull but decent husband Ben, and Nicholas Lyndhurst as their elder son Russell. The series revolves around Ria's unfulfilled life as a suburban housewife and her flirtatious, sometimes near-romantic, relationship with Leonard Dunn (played by Bruce Montague), a charming and somewhat predatory businessman.

The show's title is a metaphor for Ria's nervous feelings and the butterflies in her stomach caused by her conflicting desires for a conventional married life and the excitement of an affair. Each episode typically focuses on Ria's internal struggles, her interactions with her family, and her encounters with Leonard.

Supporting characters include Ben and Ria's younger son Adam (Andrew Hall), Dolly (Irene Sutcliffe), Ria's outspoken and somewhat gossipy friend, and Eleanor (Janine Duvitski), Leonard's secretary. The series is noted for its witty dialogue, strong performances, and realistic portrayal of middle-class life in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It won a BAFTA award for Best Comedy Series in 1980. The theme music was composed by Ronnie Hazlehurst.