The Diary of Samuel Pepys

The Diary of Samuel Pepys is a British historical television series which was originally broadcast on the BBC in 1958. Based on the diaries of the naval administrator Samuel Pepys, it portrays life at the court of Charles II during the 1660s.

Main cast

 * Peter Sallis as Samuel Pepys
 * Susan Maryott as Elizabeth Pepys
 * Alan Rowe as William Hewer
 * Diana Fairfax as Lady Castlemaine
 * David Peel as Duke of York
 * Douglas Wilmer as King Charles II
 * Manning Wilson as Lord Sandwich
 * Paul Eddington as Sir William Coventry
 * John Arnatt as Duke of Albemarle
 * Howard Lamb as William Bowyer
 * Anthony Newlands as Sir William Penn
 * John Sharplin as John Evelyn
 * Frederick Peisley as John Pepys
 * Raymond Rollett as Sir John Minnes
 * Jill Carey as Duchess of York

Review
This series was Peter Sallis's first appearance as a principal character on television. A reason for this was that he bore a resemblance when compared to contemporary picture portraits of Samuel Pepys. The series was dramatised by A R Rawlinson for Chloe Gibson. Incidentally, Chloe Gibson was one of the first female producers for BBC television.

Using the diaries as a template, Sallis captured the wit, verve and cheeky humour of Pepys and was rightly lauded for his performance.