Jackanory (1965): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1965, Jackanory is a kids series.

What it’s about. Jackanory is a long-running BBC children's television series that was designed to stimulate an interest in reading. The show was first transmitted on 13 December 1965, the first story being the fairy-tale Cap-o'-Rushes read by Lee Montague. Jackanory continued to be broadcast until 1996, clocking up around 3,500 episodes in its 30-year run. The final story, The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne, was read by Alan Bennett and broadcast on 24 March 1996. The show returned on 27 November 2006 for two one-off stories. The show's format, which varied little over the decades, involved an actor reading from children's novels or folk tales, usually while seated in an armchair. From time to time the scene being read would be illustrated by a specially commissioned still drawing, often by Quentin Blake. Usually a single book would occupy five daily fifteen-minute episodes, from Monday to Friday.

Who’s in it. Jackanory stars Danny John-Jules as Storyteller and Victoria Wood as Storyteller.

How it landed. With an audience score of 8.0/10, Jackanory 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 Jackanory page.

If you liked it. Fans of Jackanory tend to enjoy Big Time Rush, Wizards of Waverly Place, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.