Butterflies ( TV series ) - wikipedia Butterflies ( TV series ) Butterflies Series title card Created by Carla Lane Written by Carla Lane Directed by Gareth Gwenlan ( 1978 -- 79 ) John B. Hobbs ( 1979 -- 80 ) Sydney Lotterby ( 1980 -- 83 ) Mandie Fletcher ( 1983 ) Starring Wendy Craig Geoffrey Palmer Nicholas Lyndhurst Andrew Hall Bruce Montague Michael Ripper Joyce Windsor Theme music composer Dolly Parton Opening theme `` Love Is Like a Butterfly '' Ending theme `` Love Is Like a Butterfly '' Country of origin United Kingdom Original language ( s ) English No. of series No. of episodes 30 ( including 2 shorts ) Production Producer ( s ) Gareth Gwenlan ( 1978 -- 79 ) Sydney Lotterby ( 1980 -- 83 ) Location ( s ) Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Running time 30 mins Release Original network BBC2 Original release 10 November 1978 ( 1978 - 11 - 10 ) -- 19 October 1983 ( 1983 - 10 - 19 ) Butterflies is a British sitcom series written by Carla Lane that was broadcast on BBC2 from 1978 to 1983. The situation is the day - to - day life of the Parkinson family in a bittersweet style. There are both traditional comedy sources ( Ria 's cooking, family squabbles ) and more unusual sources such as Ria 's unconsummated relationship with the outwardly - successful Leonard. Ria is still in love with her husband, Ben, and has raised two potentially fine sons, yet finds herself dissatisfied and in need of something more. Throughout the series Ria searches for that `` something more '' and finds some solace in her unconventional friendship with Leonard. In a 2002 interview, Carla Lane explained, `` I wanted to write a comedy about a woman contemplating adultery. '' In the first episode, an expository discussion between Ria and Leonard alludes to the significance of the series ' title : `` We are all kids chasing butterflies. You see it, you want it, you grab it, and there it is, all squashed in your hand. '' She adds, `` I am one of the few lucky ones, I have a pleasant house, a pleasant man and two pleasant sons. My butterfly did n't get squashed. '' Ria 's husband Ben collects and studies butterflies. Contents 1 Cast and setting 2 Theme song 3 Filming locations 4 Episodes 4.1 Christmas sketch ( 1982 ) 4.2 Special for Children in Need ( 2000 ) 4.3 American series pilot ( 1979 ) 5 DVD release 6 References 7 External links Cast and setting Wendy Craig and Geoffrey Palmer, pictured on Butterflies Region 1 DVD cover The show stars Wendy Craig as frustrated ' stay at home ' housewife, Ria Parkinson and Geoffrey Palmer as her reserved dentist husband, Ben, who is also an amateur lepidopterist. Ria 's early dialogue in the first series suggests her age as early 40s, whereas her husband, Ben, quotes himself to be `` the wrong side of 45 ''. Ben is a typically traditional, conservative white - collar professional, ill at ease with his sons ' lack of work - ethic and carefree post-punk attitudes ( the series starts in 1978 ) whilst remaining unaware of his wife 's impending mid-life crisis. They have been married for 19 years and are depicted as having a comfortable lifestyle, supported by one bread - winner in the household at a time in British history when ' stay at home ' housewives were becoming less common. Ria 's disastrous attempts at cooking are a recurring gag. The Parkinsons have two sons, both of driving age ( at least 17 years of age under UK law in 1978 ) and unemployed ( in 1978 the UK was heading towards recession under Prime Minister, James Callaghan, with youth unemployment on the increase ). Their youngest son, Adam, is played by Nicholas Lyndhurst and their older son, Russell, by Andrew Hall. Throughout all four series, there is a continuing sub-plot running in tandem with the main storyline, tracking the difficulties faced by young adolescent men coming of age in the UK during a period when there were few employment opportunities and the threat of nuclear war. Both of the Parkinson sons ' characters are seen making fun of their father 's traditional post-war reserved British attitude, whilst also undergoing their own issues such as unemployment, girlfriend troubles, cannabis use against the wishes of their horrified father and teenage pregnancy, when Russell fathers a child with his on - off girlfriend. Bruce Montague plays Ria 's friend Leonard, a successful businessman, aged 44 whose wife has recently left him and is, like Ria Parkinson, approaching his own mid-life crisis. The show also featured two recurring minor characters : Leonard 's chauffeur and confidant Thomas ( Michael Ripper ) and the Parkinsons ' cleaner, Ruby ( Joyce Windsor ), who often lends Ria an ear. Theme song The Butterflies theme song, `` Love Is Like a Butterfly '', is a 1974 single written and originally recorded by American country music artist Dolly Parton. The cover version used at the opening of each episode was recorded for the series by Clare Torry, with a band conducted by BBC TV composer Ronnie Hazlehurst. The Adagio in G Minor written by Tomaso Albinoni was used as interlude music in most of the episodes where Ria is reflecting on her dilemma, and walking through a park on her own. It is a very bitter - sweet twist on two, once very in love partners where the marriage is actually breaking down, but not recognised by the husband who is totally engrossed in his work and profession. Ria starts a romance with another man, which is initially seen by the viewer as virtual image, ( almost like a thought bubble as seen in a strip cartoon as she walks through the park ). He later turns out to be real. The Adagio is used as a `` filler '' for the lack of script. Filming locations Unlike most Carla Lane sitcoms, Butterflies is not set in Liverpool, but rather Cheltenham, Gloucestershire ( Ben refers to this in the final episode, `` Loose Ends '' ). Many of the exterior scenes were filmed there, including the High Street, Montpellier and Hatherley Park. Exterior shots for the Parkinson house were filmed at 30 Bournside Road in Up Hatherley, Cheltenham. Locations included properties along Bournside Road, Lansdown Road and Christchurch Road in Cheltenham, and that town 's Hatherley Park, Pittville Park, Imperial Gardens and Neptune 's Fountain ; High Street ; The Promenade, Montpellier ; Peter 's Bar, 23 Montpellier Walk, which later became J.J. O'Neill's ; and Presto Supermarket, Grosvenor Terrace, which later became Bannatyne 's Health and Fitness. The apparent office block that could often be seen behind the house at 30 Bournside Road was, in fact, the rear of the catering block of the then North Gloucestershire College of Technology which was located in The Park, Cheltenham, and is now a housing estate. Episodes The series comprises twenty - eight episodes. Series Year Episodes 1978 `` When Ria Met Leonard '' : Ria meets a man and is attracted to him `` Breaking the Silence '' : Ben and Russell start talking to each other again `` Thinking About a Job '' : Ria is bored and wants a job - but Ben forbids it `` How About Lunch ? '' : Leonard wants Ria to spend his 45th birthday with him `` The Lovers '' : Russell chains himself to a statue to protest it being exported `` He 'll Have to Go '' : Ria considers ' spring - cleaning ' her life 1979 `` Leaving '' : Adam 's girlfriend ends their relationship `` Fox Hunting '' : Ria protests against a fox hunt `` Worrying '' : Ria meets a woman in the park who hates not having children `` A Dog 's Life '' : Ria narrowly avoids running over a dog, then lectures it `` Keeping Fit '' : Ria takes a keep - fit class `` An Attractive Visitor '' : Ria invites a sexy young divorcée to the house `` Lunch with Leonard '' : Ria meets Leonard `` Christmas with the Parkinsons '' : Ria finds Christmas difficult 1980 `` An Empty Cage '' : Adam starts work as a lorry driver `` Ruby 's Crisis '' : Ruby fights an urge to shoplift `` Pregnancy '' : Russell finds out his girlfriend Jeannie is pregnant, and tells his family `` Problems, Problems '' : The Parkinsons all have problems `` Happy Birthday, Ria '' : Ria takes a day trip to London `` Gimme Shelter '' : A friend of Ria 's visits, but their conversation goes badly `` Parting '' : Leonard is going to New York and invites Ria to his flat before he goes `` Back from New York '' : Ria receives a letter from Leonard, then loses it `` Amanda '' : An ex of Ben 's visits `` Pot '' : Ria and Ben return from their trip to Paris `` Cleaning Windows '' : Russell and Adam become window cleaners `` Calling '' : Jeannie tells Russell that she wants to be a single mother `` Breaking Up '' : Ria decides to end her friendship with Leonard `` Loose Ends '' : Leonard still wants an affair with Ria, but she decides against it Christmas sketch ( 1982 ) An eight - and - a-half - minute sketch aired as part of a Christmas special called The Funny Side Of Christmas on BBC1 on 27 December 1982. The family are happy for a seasonal excuse to avoid eating Ria 's food. She reveals to Adam privately that Leonard has gone to New York, but he is instead outside in his car, until Thomas reminds him that his former wife is waiting for him at home. Leonard calls Ria on the home phone and Adam answers. Asking for Ria, Leonard is told that Ria is kissing Ben under the mistletoe. When Ria gets to the phone, Leonard hears her voice and hangs up without speaking. Special for Children in need ( 2000 ) In November 2000, the cast ( save for Michael Ripper who had recently died ) reunited for a 13 - minute episode in aid of Children in Need. The premise is Ria 's 60th birthday and the lack of change to her situation. American series pilot ( 1979 ) An American remake was piloted but never commissioned. NBC broadcast the pilot in August 1979, with little change to the original scripting. It starred Jennifer Warren as Ria Parkinson and John McMartin as her husband, Ben Parkinson. Film actor Jim Hutton was featured as Leonard Dean in this version. It was Hutton 's last acting job. He died suddenly from liver cancer at the age of 45 in June 1979, several weeks before the pilot aired. DVD release This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( October 2011 ) All episodes of Butterflies are available on DVD in the UK, distributed by Acorn Media UK. Only the first two series are available in the US. References ^ Jump up to : Lane, Carla ( 2002 ). `` Butterflies -- Series 1 '' ( Interview ). Acorn Media UK. Jump up ^ `` Butterflies ( TV Series ) ''. Internet Movie Database ( IMDB ). Retrieved 8 June 2016. ^ Jump up to : Gloucestershire On Screen Relocated Website Jump up ^ Butterflies ( TV 1978 ), Gloucestershire Onscreen, archived from the original on 26 October 2010 External links Butterflies at BBC Programmes Butterflies at BBC Online Comedy Guide Butterflies on IMDb Butterflies at the BFI 's Screenonline Butterflies at British Comedy Guide Butterflies at Phill.co.uk TV series created by Carla Lane The Liver Birds ( 1969 -- 78, 1996 ) No Strings ( 1974 ) Butterflies ( 1978 -- 83 ) Solo ( 1981 -- 82 ) The Last Song ( 1981 -- 83 ) Leaving ( 1984 -- 85 ) I Woke Up One Morning ( 1985 -- 86 ) The Mistress ( 1985 -- 87 ) Bread ( 1986 -- 91 ) Screaming ( 1992 ) Luv ( 1993 -- 94 ) Searching ( 1995 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Butterflies_(TV_series)&oldid=824009432 '' Categories : 1978 British television programme debuts 1983 British television programme endings 1970s British sitcoms 1980s British sitcoms BBC television sitcoms English - language television programs Midlife crisis in television Television series about families Television shows set in Gloucestershire Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from November 2012 Use British English from November 2017 Articles needing additional references from October 2011 All articles needing additional references Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 4 February 2018, at 19 : 57. 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Question: who played wendy craig's sons in butterflies
Answer: youngest son, Adam, is played by Nicholas Lyndhurst