The Family (1974): cast, story & where to watch
1974 · Series · ★ 8
Released in 1974, The Family is a documentary and reality series.
What it’s about. The Family was a 1974 BBC television series made by producer Paul Watson, and directed by Franc Roddam. It was a fly-on-the-wall documentary series, seen by many as the precursor to reality television. It was similar to an American documentary which had aired the previous year in 1973, called An American Family. It followed the working-class Wilkins family of six of Reading, through their daily lives, warts and all, and culminated in the marriage of one of the daughters, which was plagued by fans and paparazzi alike.
Who’s in it. The Family stars Heather Wilkins, Margaret Wilkins, Marian Wilkins and Terry Wilkins, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.0/10, The Family sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Family page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Family tend to enjoy Cosmos, Planet Earth, Planet Earth II and Vikings.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Family (1974)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Family change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Family worth watching?
- The Family holds an audience score of 8.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary and reality. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Family?
- The Family stars Heather Wilkins, Margaret Wilkins, Marian Wilkins, Terry Wilkins and Gary Wilkins.
- When was The Family released?
- The Family was released in 1974.