Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Covington Cross.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Covington Cross
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| Covington Cross | |
|---|---|
 Title screenshot | |
| Also known as | Charring Cross |
| Genre | Adventure |
| Created by | Gil Grant |
| Written by | Beverly Bridges Chris Ruppenthal |
| Directed by | William Dear Alister Hallum |
| Starring | Nigel Terry Cherie Lunghi James Faulkner Jonathan Firth Glenn Quinn Ione Skye |
| Composer | Carl Davis |
| Country of origin |
|
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 (6 unaired in U.S.) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Gil Grant |
| Production locations | Allington Castle, Maidstone, Kent, England |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production company | Reeves Entertainment[1] |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | August 25 – October 31, 1992 |
Covington Cross is a television series that was broadcast on ABC in the United States from August 25 to October 31, 1992. The series was created by Gil Grant, who was also executive producer.[1] The pilot episode also aired in the United Kingdom, six days after its American broadcast. The series was filmed and produced in the UK, by a British production company, but it was ultimately accountable to an American television network.
Premise
[edit]Set in 14th-century England, the series follows the daily intrigues of Sir Thomas Grey, a widower, and his sons and daughter. Covington Cross is the name of Sir Thomas' castle. His children are oldest son, Armus; the serious Richard; free spirited Cedric; and strong-willed daughter, Eleanor. Another son, William, appeared in the pilot episode, but was then directed by the program's writers to fight in the Crusades. Also featuring in Sir Thomas's life is his love interest, Lady Elizabeth.
Characters
[edit]- Sir Thomas Grey – Nigel Terry
- Lady Elizabeth – Cherie Lunghi
- William Grey – Ben Porter (pilot episode)
- Armus Grey – Tim Killick (except not in pilot)
- Richard Grey – Jonathan Firth
- Cedric Grey – Glenn Quinn
- Eleanor Grey – Ione Skye
- Baron John Mullens – James Faulkner
- Friar – Paul Brooke
- Alexandra Mullens (semi-regular) – Laura Howard
- King Edward (semi-regular) – Miles Anderson
Production and broadcast
[edit].jpg)
Thirteen episodes were produced, but only seven aired in the United States after ABC pulled the series from the air in November 1992.[2] The series was an expensive show to produce, thanks to overseas production costs. Most of the cast and crew were British.[1] Once, the show was preempted when its timeslot was bought by businessman Ross Perot for infomercials in an attempt to raise his poll numbers during his independent run for president.[3]
According to a Los Angeles Times article, it was "one of the few American prime-time shows ever to be shot entirely on location in England",[1] with much of the filming was done in and around castles in the English countryside. Allington Castle was used for the exterior scenes, while Penshurst Place in Kent were used for the interior scenes.[4] The village set was filmed at Shepperton Studios, and it was later reused in the sixth season of British television series Red Dwarf as the Gelf village in the episode "Emohawk: Polymorph II".[5]
The pilot episode also aired in the United Kingdom, six days after its American broadcast,[6] but the remainder of the series was not shown there, although it was originally intended that the full series would air in Britain in 1993.[6] The program was also broadcast in Ireland in 1994,[7] and in France in 1993 on M6.[8]
Episodes
[edit]| No. | Title | Directed by [9] | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | William Dear | August 25, 1992 |
| 2 | "Armus Returns" | James Keach | September 19, 1992 |
| 3 | "Outlaws" | James Keach | September 26, 1992 |
| 4 | "Cedric Hits the Road" | Les Landon | October 3, 1992 |
| 5 | "The Hero" | Les Landon | October 10, 1992 |
| 6 | "Blinded Passions" | Joe Napolitano | October 24, 1992 |
| 7 | "The Persecution" | Francis Megahy | October 31, 1992 |
| 8 | "Eviction" | Joe Napolitano | Unaired |
| 9 | "The Trial" | Herbert Wise | Unaired |
| 10 | "The Plague" | Peter Sasdy | Unaired |
| 11 | "Revenge" | Alister Hallum | Unaired |
| 12 | "Celebration" | Herbert Wise | Unaired |
| 13 | "Brothers" | Ian Toynton | Unaired |
Reception
[edit]The show received mixed critical notice. Howard Rosenberg of Los Angeles Times was muted in his review of the show, describing it as a "pleasing, though occasionally plodding costume drama" that "brings a droll, self-mocking sense of humor to its Middle Ages saga."[10] Todd Everett of Variety praised the show for having "lots of color, production values and a script that doesn't take itself too seriously", further noting that "all tech credits are first rate, with a special nod to costume designer Barbara Lane."[11] However Entertainment Weekly found the show "ludicrous".[12] Tom Shales gave Covington Cross a negative review, declaring that "the show plays like a Mel Brooks spoof minus the spoofing". Shales added "Most of the young characters behave like spoiled tots plucked from the '90s and teleported back through the centuries... In other words, the series is historical drama in name only. It's really "Covington Cross, 90210"."[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Jeff Kaye (August 21, 1992). "A Medieval 'Bonanza' : 'Covington Cross': Feudal Fun When Knights Were Bold". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
- ^ Beth Kleid (November 9, 1992). "Morning Report – Television". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
Crossed Off: ABC has pulled "Covington Cross" and "Crossroads" from its Saturday-night schedule.
- ^ Beth Kleid (October 12, 1992). "Morning Report – Television". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
An hour-long infomercial with Ross Perot boosting his independent presidential campaign will preempt ABC's "Covington Cross" between 8 and 9 p.m. on Saturday.
- ^ "Covington Cross (1992)". Kent Film Office. November 9, 1992. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
- ^ Chris Howarth; Steve Lyons (1997). Red Dwarf: programme guide - Part 4. p. 126.
- ^ a b "BBC1". The Times. August 31, 1992.
- ^ "Weekender". The Irish Independent. October 1, 1994.
- ^ "Samedi, 25 Septembre, 1993 M6 15.40 Covington Cross (série)". humanite.fr. September 25, 1993.
- ^ From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "Covington Cross"]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
- ^ Howard Rosenberg (August 25, 1992). "TV Reviews : 'Covington Cross': Pleasing, Though Plodding". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
- ^ Todd Everett (August 25, 1992). "Review: 'Covington Cross'". Variety. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
- ^ "The fall 1992 TV preview: Saturday". Entertainment Weekly. September 11, 1992. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
- ^ Tom Shales (August 25, 1992). "TV Reviews : Covington Cross: 'Tis Torture Forsooth". Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
External links
[edit]Covington Cross
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Premise and Setting
Plot Overview
Covington Cross is a television series set in 14th-century England, centering on the widowed knight Sir Thomas Grey, who raises his four children—eldest son Armus, knight Richard, youngest son Cedric, and daughter Eleanor—at their family estate in Covington Cross.[1] The narrative follows the Grey family's encounters with medieval challenges, including romantic pursuits, local feuds, and perilous quests that test their bonds and values.[1] Sir Thomas serves as a steadfast moral guide, navigating the complexities of parenthood while upholding chivalric ideals amid the era's turbulent social and political landscape.[2] The series emphasizes the dynamics within the Grey household, highlighting sibling rivalries and alliances as the young Greys mature through adventures that often pit them against external threats.[1] Romantic entanglements frequently complicate family loyalties, with characters like Eleanor and her brothers facing courtly love dilemmas intertwined with broader conflicts such as land disputes and royal decrees.[6] Sir Thomas's wisdom helps mediate these tensions, fostering themes of honor, forgiveness, and resilience in a world rife with betrayal and ambition.[7] Recurring episodes blend domestic drama with high-stakes action, incorporating sword fights, moral quandaries over justice, and explorations of feudal obligations in a pseudo-historical framework.[1] The pilot episode introduces the Covington Cross estate and establishes initial hostilities with rival Baron Mullens, whose proposed arranged marriage between his son Henry and Eleanor underscores the ongoing feud exacerbated by King Edward's intervention for peace.[6][2] This setup propels the series' episodic structure, where family unity often triumphs over personal and political adversities.[1]Historical and Fictional Elements
Covington Cross is set in 14th-century England, with the series creator originally intending a specific placement in 1350 but ultimately keeping the timeline vague to allow narrative flexibility without historical constraints.[7] This era reflects the late medieval period following the Black Death, as evidenced by the episode "The Plague," where characters confront an outbreak by burning infected homes and isolating victims, mirroring the societal recovery and fears post-1348 pandemic.[8] The show incorporates elements of feudalism through the portrayal of noble families managing estates and loyalties, with Sir Thomas Grey serving as a knight bound by obligations to the crown and local barons.[2] Chivalry forms a core theme, depicted via knightly codes of honor, quests, and combat, as Sir Thomas and his sons embody ideals of bravery and justice in their confrontations with rivals.[9] Political intrigue and war references evoke the early Hundred Years' War tensions between England and France, though the series prioritizes localized conflicts over grand battles, using them to heighten family dramas amid broader national unrest.[1] The fortified manor of Covington Cross, modeled after Allington Castle in Kent, serves as the central setting, representing a self-contained world of rural English life complete with surrounding forests for hunts and ambushes, nearby taverns for social encounters, and rival castles symbolizing feudal power struggles.[10] Fictional elements dominate, blending historical backdrop with anachronistic modern family dynamics, such as a widower knight navigating sibling rivalries and romantic advice in ways reminiscent of 1990s sitcoms rather than strict medieval norms.[9] Inspired by Robin Hood legends, the narrative shifts focus from outlaw bands to a noble household's adventures, emphasizing personal feuds—like the ongoing rivalry between the Greys and the villainous Mullens family—over authentic historical events to amplify drama and accessibility.[7] While drawing on archetypes of historical knights and Arthurian tales of quests and loyalty, the series fabricates scenarios, such as improvised alliances and moral dilemmas, to prioritize entertainment without rigid adherence to documented 14th-century history.[2]Characters and Cast
The Grey Family
The Grey family serves as the central protagonists of Covington Cross, a widowed knight and his four children navigating life in 14th-century England while upholding principles of honor and chivalry. Led by the patriarchal Sir Thomas Grey, the family resides at Covington Cross manor and frequently contends with internal conflicts arising from differing temperaments and aspirations, all while protecting their estate from external threats.[11][1] Sir Thomas Grey, portrayed by Nigel Terry, is the honorable and beleaguered patriarch, a widowed English lord who balances his duties as a knight with safeguarding his children's futures amid political intrigue and personal romances. Deeply committed to traditional values of justice and family protection, he often mediates disputes within the household while developing a romantic interest in his neighbor, Lady Elizabeth.[11][1][12] Armus Grey, the eldest son played by Tim Killick, is a responsible and stalwart knight who returns home after eight years fighting in the Crusades, bringing a sense of duty and maturity to the family. As the de facto mediator, he frequently clashes with his siblings' impulsiveness, drawing on his wartime experiences—including lingering nightmares from battles—to guide them toward chivalric ideals, though he struggles with reintegrating into family life.[11][13][14] Richard Grey, portrayed by Jonathan Firth, is the middle son and a serious, idealistic knight who embodies romantic chivalric aspirations, often training his siblings and forming deep bonds through acts of loyalty. His thoughtful nature leads him to reflect on friendship and honor, sometimes resulting in personal entanglements that test his principles, yet he remains a steady influence in family decisions.[11][14][2] Cedric Grey, the youngest son played by Glenn Quinn, is a free-spirited and mischievous adventurer destined for the clergy per his late mother's wishes, though he yearns to become a knight and often engages in thievery or escapades that land the family in trouble. Charismatic and impulsive, his romantic pursuits and reluctance to follow his clerical path create ongoing tension, particularly with his more dutiful brothers.[11][15][14] Eleanor Grey, the only daughter portrayed by Ione Skye, is a strong-willed and intelligent young woman who challenges medieval gender norms through her wit, equestrian skills, and proficiency with a crossbow, frequently disguising herself to pursue independence. As a tomboyish figure in the household, she pushes against arranged marriages and patriarchal expectations, fostering a dynamic of rebellion that both strains and strengthens family ties.[11][1][14] The Grey siblings' relationships are marked by internecine tensions, such as Cedric's recklessness conflicting with Armus's sense of responsibility and Eleanor's drive for autonomy clashing with Sir Thomas's traditional oversight, yet these dynamics ultimately reinforce their collective resilience against adversaries like the scheming Baron John Mullens.[11][12][15]Antagonists and Supporting Roles
In Covington Cross, the primary antagonist is Baron John Mullens, portrayed by James Faulkner, a scheming neighboring lord whose ambitions center on seizing the Grey family's lands through deceitful alliances and territorial disputes.[13] Mullens serves as the Greys' arch-enemy, continually plotting to undermine Sir Thomas Grey's authority, such as by proposing arranged marriages to infiltrate the family or exploiting local feuds to claim estates.[11] His actions drive much of the series' external conflicts, contrasting the Greys' code of honor with his ruthless pragmatism, as seen in episodes involving land grabs and betrayals.[15] Lady Elizabeth, played by Cherie Lunghi, functions as a key supporting character and Sir Thomas's romantic interest, residing in a nearby castle and offering emotional guidance alongside occasional strategic assistance to the Greys during Mullens' threats.[2] Her role provides a counterbalance to the antagonism, fostering alliances that help resolve subplots involving outlaws or rival knights, while her independent status highlights themes of medieval women's agency.[12] Friar John, portrayed by Paul Brooke, appears as a recurring comic-relief cleric and the Grey household's chaplain, dispensing moral advice and lighthearted commentary amid the family's trials.[16] In nine episodes, his rotund, affable presence facilitates resolutions to ethical dilemmas, such as mediating disputes with villagers or offering counsel on honor-bound decisions, without direct involvement in combat.[5] The series features various episodic supporting roles, including guest knights who aid or challenge the Greys, outlaws entangled in land disputes, and villagers whose plights underscore Mullens' exploitative schemes, often culminating in communal resolutions that reinforce the protagonists' values.[17] These figures, such as Mullens' daughter Alexandra (Laura Howard), add layers to conflicts by humanizing antagonists or providing plot catalysts like betrayals and alliances.[3]Production
Development and Production Team
Covington Cross was created by television producer Gil Grant, who drew inspiration from family-oriented historical adventures to craft a series centered on medieval England. The pilot episode was written by series creator Gil Grant and directed by William Dear. Grant served as the primary writer and executive producer, overseeing the narrative's blend of action, romance, and coming-of-age elements tailored for a broad audience.[11][2] The series emerged from a co-production between the British company Thames Television and the American-based Reeves Entertainment Group, in association with Gil Grant Productions, specifically for broadcast on ABC. This transatlantic partnership allowed for filming in England, leveraging authentic locations and period expertise while meeting U.S. network standards. Development focused on filling ABC's Saturday night family viewing slot in the fall of 1992, capitalizing on the era's popularity of swashbuckling historical fantasies like the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, which had revitalized interest in medieval tales with youthful protagonists and adventurous plots. ABC positioned the show as a youth-targeted drama, emphasizing the exploits of a knight's teenage children to attract younger demographics amid network efforts to refresh its lineup.[18][19][2][20] Key members of the production team included producer Aida Young, who managed on-set operations, and a roster of directors such as William Dear for the pilot and James Keach for subsequent episodes. The budget, though modest by American standards, prioritized authentic period costumes, sets, and props to evoke 14th-century England, contributing to the show's visual appeal despite logistical challenges of international collaboration. These elements underscored the production's ambition to balance British historical realism with American-style episodic action, though high costs—stemming from overseas filming and elaborate production values—ultimately limited the series to 13 episodes, with only seven airing before cancellation.[2][5][21]Casting and Filming
The casting for Covington Cross emphasized experienced performers to bring authenticity to its medieval setting. Nigel Terry, renowned for portraying King Arthur in the 1981 film Excalibur, was selected as Sir Thomas Grey to provide the role with commanding gravitas and historical resonance.[1][22] Ione Skye, known from her breakout role in Say Anything... (1989), was cast as the independent and emotionally intense Eleanor Grey, infusing the character with strength and vigor.[7] After the pilot, the character William Grey (played by Ben Porter) was written out by leaving for the Crusades, and a new son, Armus Grey (Tim Killick), was introduced as returning from the Crusades in the second episode.[16] Filming took place primarily in Kent, England, to capture the series' 14th-century ambiance through authentic medieval architecture and landscapes. Allington Castle served as the primary exterior location for Covington Cross, the Grey family home, while Penshurst Place provided interiors and additional period details.[23] Some woodland sequences utilized Kent's rural forests to depict hunts and outdoor adventures.[14] The production filmed all 13 episodes during 1992, with principal photography occurring in the spring and summer to align with the fall premiere.[1] Technical execution relied on practical effects for action sequences, including stunt coordination by Roy Alon for sword fights and horseback pursuits, avoiding heavy reliance on early CGI.[2] Period-accurate costumes and props were drawn from the wardrobe and resources of co-producer Thames Television, ensuring visual fidelity to the era. Post-production was expedited to meet the August 1992 airdate on ABC.[7]Broadcast History
Original Airing
Covington Cross premiered on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on August 25, 1992, with its pilot episode airing in the Tuesday 8:00 p.m. ET time slot. The series transitioned to its regular Saturday 8:00–9:00 p.m. ET slot starting the following week, broadcasting a total of seven episodes through October 31, 1992, before its cancellation. This brief run positioned the show within ABC's ambitious 1992–93 fall prime-time schedule, which emphasized family-oriented programming amid intensifying competition from cable and rival networks. The aired episodes followed this broadcast order:- "Pilot" (August 25, 1992)
- "Armus Returns" (September 19, 1992)
- "Outlaws" (September 26, 1992)
- "Cedric Hits the Road" (October 3, 1992)
- "The Hero" (October 10, 1992)
- "Blinded Passions" (October 17, 1992)
- "The Persecution" (October 31, 1992)
International Distribution and Home Media
Following its brief run on ABC in the United States, Covington Cross received limited international syndication. In the United Kingdom, where the series was filmed, the seven aired episodes were broadcast on ITV in 1992. The six unaired episodes later aired in international markets. The series was sold for broadcast in several European countries, including Denmark, Finland, Spain, Portugal, and France, during the 1990s through local broadcasters.[7] The series has not seen official home media releases in any format. As of 2025, no authorized DVD or Blu-ray editions have been issued in the U.S. or internationally by Sony Pictures Television, the current rights holder as successor to original producer Columbia Pictures Television. Fan-recorded VHS tapes from the original broadcasts circulate among collectors, often listed on sites like eBay, while unofficial DVD compilations—typically burned copies of aired episodes—are sold by independent online vendors such as RareFilmsOnDVD and LovingTheClassics. These bootleg products do not include the six unaired episodes and lack official licensing. Streaming availability remains nonexistent on major platforms like Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video. Episodes are occasionally accessible via unauthorized uploads on YouTube, where user-posted segments of the seven aired installments have garnered views since 2010, though full seasons are not consistently available. Distribution challenges stemming from fragmented rights ownership have prevented remastered editions or digital re-releases, leaving the show primarily accessible through personal archives, collector communities, or historical TV listings on sites like IMDb.Episodes
Aired Episodes
Covington Cross aired seven episodes on ABC from August 25 to October 31, 1992, introducing the Grey family and their conflicts with the rival Mullens family amid 14th-century English feudal life. These episodes establish the series' blend of adventure, romance, and family dynamics, with each installment focusing on individual character arcs while advancing ongoing rivalries.[25]| Episode | Title | Air Date | Director | Writer | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | August 25, 1992 | William Dear | Gil Grant | Eleanor Grey flees Covington Cross to avoid an arranged marriage to the odious Henry Mullens, prompting Sir Thomas to seek a better match for her; meanwhile, the family's French trade representative is revealed to be a woman in disguise.[6][11] |
| 2 | Armus Returns | September 19, 1992 | James Keach | Gil Grant & Joel Surnow | Armus Grey returns home after eight years fighting in the Crusades and joins the family on a tax-paying journey to the Duke of Arondale's castle, where they are taken hostage by bandits alongside the Mullens family.[26][11] |
| 3 | Outlaws | September 26, 1992 | James Keach | Nick Thiel | Eleanor becomes infatuated with a charismatic thief who appears to rob the rich to aid the poor; meanwhile, Richard and Armus train the reluctant Cedric for a tournament he is expected to lose. Guest star: Richard Lintern as Daniel O'Shea (the thief).[11][27] |
| 4 | Cedric Hits the Road | October 3, 1992 | Les Landau | Chris Ruppenthal | Cedric is ambushed while running an errand for Sir Thomas, contract negotiations with the Duke of Worringer collapse, and Sir Thomas grapples with his budding relationship with Lady Elizabeth. Guest star: Alex Kingston as Helen.[28][11] |
| 5 | The Hero | October 10, 1992 | Les Landau | Joel Surnow | Armus aids his old friend Humphrey, now a petty thief, in thwarting an assassination plot; Cedric encounters difficulties during a stay at a convent. Guest star: James Nesbitt as Humphrey.[29][11] |
| 6 | Blinded Passions | October 24, 1992 | Joe Napolitano | Beverly Bridges | A clumsy squire vows to protect Eleanor from harm, inadvertently thwarting Baron Mullens' latest kidnapping scheme; the visit of Sir Thomas's late wife's sister stirs emotional tensions at Covington Cross. Guest star: Sabina Franklyn as Brittany.[30][11] |
| 7 | The Persecution | October 31, 1992 | Francis Megahy | Dennis E. Leoni | Richard rescues a young woman named Rachel accused of witchcraft by a ruthless abbot and his followers, drawing the Grey family into a dangerous confrontation over superstition and justice. Guest star: Chloë Annett as Rachel.[32][11] |
Unaired Episodes
Covington Cross produced a total of 13 episodes, but ABC aired only the first seven due to declining ratings and the show's high production costs from filming on location in England.[34] The remaining six episodes were fully scripted and filmed as part of the planned single season but were not broadcast in the United States; they later aired internationally in select markets.[25] These unaired installments, directed by series regulars including James Keach and Les Landau, continued the core narrative arc centered on the Grey family's struggles against the scheming Mullens clan, escalating legal, personal, and communal conflicts toward the antagonists' potential downfall.[5] The unaired episodes featured the following plots:- Eviction: The Mullens family employs a deceptive actor to discredit the Greys, leading to threats of land seizure and forcing the children to endure significant hardships while defending their home.[11]
- The Trial: Lord Trenton enlists the Greys as warriors amid rising tensions, while a local peasant faces a murder accusation that draws the family into a web of legal intrigue.[11]
- The Plague: An outbreak ravages the village, prompting Cedric to aid afflicted victims and confront painful memories of his mother's death, testing family loyalties under crisis.[11]
- Revenge: Armus grapples with guilt over a past encounter as the brother of a slain Saracen warrior seeks retribution, complicated by the circulation of compromising love letters among the household.[11]
- Celebration: Amid preparations for a local festival, Hope seeks comfort in a relationship with a woodcutter, while Sir Thomas oversees the knighting of a young ally, highlighting themes of growth and alliance.[11]
- Brothers: A diplomatic negotiation erupts into violence, exacerbating rivalries between Armus and Richard, as Charlotte's affections tilt toward Richard rather than Armus, straining sibling dynamics.[11]