You Can't Win was a 1966 British television series made by ITV as an adaptation of the novels ''Scenes from Provincial Life'' and ''Scenes from Married Life'' by

William Cooper William Cooper may refer to: Business *William Cooper (accountant) (1826–1871), founder of Cooper Brothers * William Cooper (businessman) (1761–1840), Canadian businessman *William Cooper (co-operator) (1822–1868), English co-operator *Willi ...

. It stars

Ian McShane Ian David McShane (born 29 September 1942) is an English actor, producer and director. He is known for his television performances, particularly as the title role in the BBC series ''Lovejoy'' (1986–1994), Al Swearengen in '' Deadwood'' (2004 ...

as protagonist Joe Lunn, an English provincial grammar school physics teacher in 1939 who later moves to London and into the English establishment.

Cast

as Joe Lunn * John Humphry as Robert Watson *

Peter Birrel Peter Birrel Cohen (19 July 1935 – 23 June 2004) was an English actor who played numerous parts on British television for nearly forty years. He appeared in the ''Doctor Who'' story ''Frontier in Space'' in 1973, as well as in the documentar ...

as Tom Jacobs * Anton Darby as Steve *

Patricia Garwood Patricia Garwood (28 January 1941 – 24 February 2019) was an English television, film and stage actress who first appeared on film aged 9 in ''The Lavender Hill Mob'' and is best known as playing Beryl Crabtree in five series of the BBC situati ...

as Myrtle * Andrew Rimmer as Trevor * David Robinson as Frank *

Jennie Linden Jennie Linden (born 8 December 1939) is an English actress. She is best known for her starring role in Ken Russell's film ''Women in Love'' (1969) as well as her starring role in the cult film ''Nightmare'' (1964). Life and career Linden was bo ...

as Elspeth *

Michael Barrington Michael Barrington (3 July 1924 – 5 June 1988) was a British actor best known for his television work. His best remembered role is as the ineffectual Governor Venables in the BBC sitcom ''Porridge'' which featured Ronnie Barker in the lead r ...

as Roland Bolshaw *

Ann Curthoys Ann Curthoys, (born 5 September 1945) is an Australian historian and academic. Early life and education Curthoys was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 5 September 1945, and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney. In 1 ...

as Annette *

Rosemary Frankau Rosemary A. Frankau (14 April 1933 – 16 April 2017) was a British actress, born in Marylebone, London. She played Beattie Harris in nine series of the sitcom ''Terry and June'' between 1979 and 1987. Early life and career Frankau was e ...

as Miss Froggatt * Roger Hammond as Harry *

Donald Hewlett Donald Marland Hewlett (30 August 1920 – 4 June 2011) was a British actor who was best known for his sitcom roles as Colonel Charles Reynolds in ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' and Lord Meldrum in '' You Rang, M'Lord?'', both written by Jimmy Perry ...

as Daddy * Marie Hopps as Mrs Harrison * Mike Lucas as Benny *

Geraldine Newman Geraldine Newman (born 18 February 1934) is an English film and television actress who has acted in more than 30 television programmes and films. Career Newman attended drama school in Brighton. She is best known for her role as Hilda Hughes in ...

as Barbara * William Victor as Fred

Episode list

#Who's for America? #In at the Deep End #Chaos is Come #Goodbye Myrtle Goodbye #The New Look #Learning the Law #The Stream of Life

External links

* 1960s British drama television series 1966 British television series debuts 1966 British television series endings British drama television series ITV television dramas Television shows produced by Granada Television {{UK-tv-prog-stub