Jackanory

1965·Show
87Episodes in5Seasons
66
GoodGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Jackanory fingerprint

Strong craft, calm.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension2
  • Fast Pace2
  • Spectacle2

Heart

Heartwarming and uplifting

  • Wholesome9
  • Hopefulness9
  • Nostalgia8

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy1
  • Physical Comedy0

World

Kept in the background

Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • Rewatchability8
  • World Immersion7

Craft

Standout performances, storytelling, and dialogue

  • Acting9
  • Narrative Structure8
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition6
  • Music Centrality6

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

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.
Children's StorytellingEducational EntertainmentClassic British TVGentle & CalmingLiterary AdaptationNostalgic Comfort WatchReading PromotionCharacter-Driven NarrationSimple & Effective

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Jackanory

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Jackanory legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Jackanory in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Jackanory worth watching?

66
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 66/100 (IMDb 7.2). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How many seasons does Jackanory have?

5 seasons

It has 5 seasons with 87 episodes and is still in production.

When did Jackanory air?

It started in 1965 and is still in production.

What language is Jackanory in?

English

It was made in English.

What tropes does Jackanory use?

Don't Try This at HomeLong RunnerNarratorSpin-OffLemony NarratorPoorly Disguised PilotTransatlantic Equivalent

TV Tropes lists 7 storytelling tropes for Jackanory, including Don't Try This at Home, Long Runner, Narrator.

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