''The Borderers'' is a British television series produced by the BBC between 1968 and 1970.

Setting

A historical drama series, ''The Borderers'' was set during the 16th century and chronicled the lives of the Ker family, who lived in the Scottish Middle March on the frontier between England and Scotland. Some episodes of the show depict the wider politics, mostly as it affects their relative Sir Walter Ker, warden of the Middle March The series was described by '' The Guardian'' in 2007 as "brave and original...a kind of north-eastern western". It shows an ordinary family trying to live as part of a society of

Border Reivers Border reivers were Cattle raiding, raiders along the Anglo-Scottish border from the late 13th century to the beginning of the 17th century. They included both Scotland, Scottish and England, English people, and they raided the entire border ...

, a world where raid and feud were unavoidable parts of daily life. The wars between England and Scotland had destroyed the normal processes of law enforcement. The setting is a particularly tense time, with Elizabeth of England and Mary, Queen of Scots, in competition. Also the struggle between Protestants and Catholics in both kingdoms. Amidst all this, the Kers of Slitrig are trying to live an ordinary life. The leading cast members were Iain Cuthbertson,

Edith MacArthur Edith MacArthur (8 March 1926 – 25 April 2018) was a British actress noted for her elegant screen presence. Early life MacArthur was born in Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, the daughter of Donald MacArthur and Minnie Ross MacArthur. She studie ...

and

Michael Gambon Sir Michael John Gambon (; born 19 October 1940) is an Irish-English actor. Regarded as one of Ireland and Britain's most distinguished actors, he is known for his work on stage and screen. Gambon started his acting career with Laurence Olivi ...

. Season One was produced by Peter Graham Scott, who had worked on ''

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'', ''

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'', '' The Troubleshooters'' and would later go on to make '' The Onedin Line''. Season Two was produced by Anthony Coburn who had previously worked on ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...

''. In 2007, two episodes of ''The Borderers'' were part of the ''BBC Archive Trial''.

Cast

The regular cast were

as Gavin Ker (male head of the family), Edith McArthur as Margaret Ker and Iain Cuthbertson as Sir

Walter Ker of Cessford Sir Walter Ker of Cessford (died c. 1585) was Scottish warden of the Middle March on the Anglo-Scottish border. Life The eldest son of Sir Andrew Ker of Cessford, by his wife Agnes, daughter of Robert, second lord Crichton of Sanquhar, he was ...

. Nell Brennan as Agnes Ker (Series 1) and Eileen Nicholas as Agnes Ker (Series 2). Margaret Greig as Grizel Ker, Joseph Brady as Rab (Series 1) and James Garbutt as Rab (Series 2). Ross Campbell as Jamie Ker and Russell Waters as Pringle (Cessford's clerk). Sir Walter Ker is a real historical figure, though little is known of him and most of what is shown in the series is invented.

Episode guide

Series 1

Series 2

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Borderers, The BBC television dramas Period television series British adventure television series 1968 British television series debuts 1970 British television series endings 1960s British drama television series 1970s British drama television series English-language television shows