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The Best Episodes of Playhouse Presents

Every episode of Playhouse Presents ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Playhouse Presents!

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Playhouse Presents is a series of self-contained TV plays, made by British broadcaster Sky Arts. The series started airing on 12 April 2012, on Sky Arts 1. Each episode is written by a different writer

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Playhouse Presents Season 2 Episode 3 - The Call Out
    8.9/10(127 votes)

    S2:E3

    Policemen Len and Vic are called to Union Square flats after a middle-aged woman reports seeing an intruder. However, on arrival, Len discovers that the woman is not really concerned with securing her property but takes him into a room with erotic photos and wants to talk about sex.

    Director:Carlo Gabriel Nero
    Writer:Carlo Gabriel Nero

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  2. Playhouse Presents Season 2 Episode 9 - Psychobitches: Episode Two
    8.6/10(38 votes)

    S2:E9

    Dian Fossey vents why she's so hostile; Diana Dors is confronted by Marilyn Monroe; and The Therapist examines a brooding Virginia Woolf and a love-struck Cleopatra.

    Director:Jeremy Dyson
    Writers:Jeremy Dyson, Bert Tyler-Moore, George Jeffrie, Ali Crockatt, David Scott, Lucy Montgomery, Jessie Cave

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  3. Playhouse Presents Season 1 Episode 9 - The Man
    8.0/10(46 votes)

    S1:E9

    Hidden in an exclusive hotel, a cabal of powerful individuals debate international politics, economics and war. A chilling look at how an unelected few control the fate of the masses.

    Director:Iain Softley
    Writer:Sandi Toksvig

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  4. Playhouse Presents Season 1 Episode 11 - Psychobitches
    7.8/10(63 votes)

    S1:E11

    A woman known only as 'The Therapist' holds sessions with famous historical and spiritual women, exploring their psychological issues via anachronistic humour, with such individuals like Eva Braun, Édith Piaf, Jane Austen, Frida Kahlo, Joan of Arc, Mother Theresa and Beatrix Potter appearing in contemporary settings. Blending historical figures with modern comedy, it features a cast of well-known British talent in a variety of roles as the iconic women.

    Director:Jeremy Dyson
    Writer:Jeremy Dyson

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  5. Playhouse Presents Season 2 Episode 2 - Snodgrass
    7.7/10(61 votes)

    S2:E2

    In 1991, 51-year-old John Lennon, living on the dole in Birmingham and following the moderate success of The Beatles, recalls how he left the band in 1962 after they were persuaded to release 'How Do You Do It?' as a single, rather than 'Love Me Do'. His intolerance for Jobsworths – or 'Snodgrasses', as he calls them – puts him out of contention for a job.

    Director:David Blair
    Writer:David Quantick

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  6. Playhouse Presents Season 3 Episode 7 - Damned
    7.6/10(27 votes)

    S3:E7

    Two stressed social workers struggle to keep control of their private lives and chaotic office.

    Director:Natalie Bailey
    Writers:Morwenna Banks, Jo Brand

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Playhouse Presents

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  7. Playhouse Presents Season 3 Episode 2 - Nosferatu in Love
    7.5/10(71 votes)

    S3:E2

    While on location in the Czech Republic for a remake of the vampire classic, our tormented lead flees the set in full Dracula costume. Teaming up with petty crook Fonso, his revenge against his director and his wife will involve his best acting talents - and twelve thousand rats.

    Director:Peter Straughan
    Writer:Peter Straughan

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  8. Playhouse Presents Season 2 Episode 7 - Psychobitches: Episode 1
    7.4/10(40 votes)

    S2:E7

    Bette Davis and Joan Crawford battle over diva status; sisters Emily, Charlotte and Anne Brontë can't stop quarrelling; and Sylvia Plath needs to be a little more cheerful!

    Director:Jeremy Dyson
    Writers:Jeremy Dyson, Bert Tyler-Moore, George Jeffrie, Ali Crockatt, David Scott, Freddy Syborn, Derren Litten, Holly Walsh, Lucy Montgomery, Kathy Burke

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  9. Playhouse Presents Season 2 Episode 8 - Cargese
    7.4/10(22 votes)

    S2:E8

    Childhood friends Stephen and Carl spend a winter kicking around the estate where they live, playing on the computer - for which 'Cargese' is the password and exploring old warehouses. Stephen's father walked out years ago and now his mother is dying, he feels that he will be deserted yet again. Other than his meek brother Alex and girlfriend, his only comfort in life is Carl. But when Carl announces that he will be leaving the estate for further education, it is the last straw for the increasingly unhinged Stephen, who is prepared to implicate his friend in a murder to keep control over him.

    Director:Matt Smith
    Writer:Simon Stephens

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  10. Playhouse Presents Season 3 Episode 8 - Timeless
    7.4/10(43 votes)

    S3:E8

    Young Chloe lives with great-grandmother Alice, whose husband was presumed dead in World War II. When a military officer visits, Chloe is afraid that she will be told that her soldier boyfriend has been killed in Afghanistan though the news is that Alice's husband Anthony's corpse has ben found after nearly 70 years, perfectly preserved in Iceland. The women travel to Reykjavik where Alice identifies the body, and also gives Chloe advice based on her own experiences.

    Director:Tony Smith
    Writer:Tim Firth

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  11. Playhouse Presents Season 1 Episode 8 - Walking the Dogs
    7.3/10(51 votes)

    S1:E8

    Based on the 1982 Michael Fagan incident, an intruder breaks into the Queen’s bedroom at dawn. They discuss romance, family and personal freedom before the police arrive to take him away.

    Director:Jeremy Brock
    Writer:Helen Greaves

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  12. Playhouse Presents Season 1 Episode 3 - Nixon's the One
    7.2/10(23 votes)

    S1:E3

    A verbatim account of Richard Nixon’s time in the Oval office, based on more than 198 hours of recordings made between February 1971 and 1973.

    Director:Ed Bye
    Writer:Judith Owen

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  13. Playhouse Presents Season 1 Episode 7 - The Snipist
    7.2/10(62 votes)

    S1:E7

    In a post-apocalyptic 1970s Britain ruled by an ominous Ministry of Information, a lone sniper struggles to maintain his sanity. Ordered to watch and protect stranded survivors, the Snipist must fend off attacks from rabid dogs and protect what remains of his own humanity, but is reality exactly as he sees it?

    Director:Matthew Holness
    Writer:Matthew Holness

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  14. Playhouse Presents Season 1 Episode 10 - The Other Woman
    7.2/10(24 votes)

    S1:E10

    Life imitates art as a successful television writer and his actress wife’s failing marriage is mirrored in the programme he writes and she stars in. But can they work out their problems on screen or is their relationship doomed to fail?

    Director:Mike Barker
    Writer:Joshua St Johnson

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  15. Playhouse Presents Season 1 Episode 4 - King of the Teds
    7.1/10(50 votes)

    S1:E4

    Aging singer Ron is troubled by the failure of his musical career, and his fading marriage to Tina. When their old friend Nina visits for the first time in 40 years, fond reminiscences soon give way to explosive revelations.

    Director:Jim Cartwright
    Writer:Jim Cartwright

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  16. Playhouse Presents Season 1 Episode 5 - City Hall
    7.1/10(30 votes)

    S1:E5

    Working-class mum Dorothy Green lands the position of London's first female mayor after her defiant stand against rioters goes viral.

    Director:Richard Loncraine
    Writer:Rhashan Stone

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  17. Playhouse Presents Season 3 Episode 6 - Space Age
    7.0/10(28 votes)

    S3:E6

    Dudley and John are two old men who gain a new lease of life thanks to a voluntary space mission.

    Director:Lawrence Gough
    Writers:Ralf Little, Nick Moran

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  18. Playhouse Presents Season 3 Episode 4 - Nightshift
    6.9/10(21 votes)

    S3:E4

    Two contrasting police officers tries to get through a long nightshift in South-East London.

    Director:Bruce Goodison
    Writer:Jimmy Gardner

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  19. Playhouse Presents Season 2 Episode 5 - Mr Understood
    6.8/10(33 votes)

    S2:E5

    Thirtysomething transvestite Gary at last plucks up the courage to attend a South End disco for cross-dressers, though the whole occasion is very hesitant as he argues with his alter ego the pros and cons of coming out.

    Director:Kate Hardie
    Writer:Kate Hardie

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  20. Playhouse Presents Season 2 Episode 4 - Pavement Psychologist
    6.6/10(38 votes)

    S2:E4

    Singleton Jenny works at a small accountancy firm and has an on-off relationship with her boss, Doug. As she walks to work, she becomes aware of Chris, a homeless man who sits huddled on the pavement and is something of a philosopher, commenting on the different shoes she wears and her weight loss. She befriends him and learns that he lost his family in a house fire three years earlier and, as his philosophy becomes more profound, they allow her to take stock of her own situation.

    Director:Idris Elba
    Writer:Idris Elba

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  21. Playhouse Presents Season 3 Episode 3 - The Cruise
    6.6/10(27 votes)

    S3:E3

    Mobile hairdresser Jacky is one week from her silver anniversary dream cruise. But is husband Andy's hesitation just simple concern - or are darker forces at play?

    Director:Stewart Sugg
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Playhouse Presents Season 3 Episode 9 - King for a Term
    6.6/10(27 votes)

    S3:E9

    In 1980s Hackney, nine-year-old Akuna's proud father sees him as the next Eddy Grant, but Akuna is asthmatic, and must attend a special school for children with disabilities. Before long, he's fallen foul of sadistic teacher Mr Grimme, who labels him Asthma Boy. Akuna, however, with the help of a cheeky Scots fellow student, soon leads the rest of the class into humiliating Grimme, making Akuna 'King for a Term'.

    Director:Idris Elba
    Writer:Idris Elba

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  23. Playhouse Presents Season 2 Episode 1 - Hey Diddly Dee
    6.5/10(32 votes)

    S2:E1

    Johnny is the eager-to-please ASM and understudy to arrogant actor Roger Kite, who is due to play Andy Warhol in an upcoming West End production. Roger treats Johnny abominably, forcing him to make his coffee, sort his fan mail and - particularly - keep him away from the theatre's lucky mascot, a black cat called Diddly. As opening night approaches, Kite's attitude worsens, causing the young man to hear voices urging him to prevent Kite from starring.

    Director:Marc Warren
    Writer:Marc Warren

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  24. Playhouse Presents Season 3 Episode 1 - The Dog Thrower
    6.5/10(62 votes)

    S3:E1

    Lonely man Jonah begins throwing his dog in the air and catching him after witnessing a charismatic man doing the same in a local park.

    Director:Jon Ronson
    Writer:Jon Ronson

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  25. Playhouse Presents Season 1 Episode 1 - Minor Character
    6.3/10(58 votes)

    S1:E1

    An artist named Will observes life in minute detail, providing a witty and acerbic critique of his life. When a tragedy occurs, Will is forced to reconsider the trust he has in the urban-suburban, middle-class landscape of his middle-aged friends.

    Director:Richard Curson Smith
    Writer:Will Self

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Call Out" is the best rated episode of "Playhouse Presents". It scored 8.9/10 based on 127 votes. Directed by Carlo Gabriel Nero and written by Carlo Gabriel Nero, it aired on 5/2/2013. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Psychobitches: Episode Two".