Covington Cross

Covington Cross
Title screenshot of Covington Cross.
Also known as	Charring Cross
Genre	Adventure
Written by	Beverly Bridges Chris Ruppenthal
Directed by	William Dear Alister Hallum
Starring	Nigel Terry Cherie Lunghi James Faulkner Jonathan Firth Glenn Quinn
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Language(s)	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	13 (7 aired, 6 unaired)
Production
Location(s)	Allington Castle, Maidstone, Kent, England
Running time	60 minutes
Production company(s)	Thames Television
Broadcast
Original channel	ABC
Original run	25 August 1992 – 31 October 1992

Covington Cross is a British/American television series that was broadcast on ABC in the United States from August 25 to October 31, 1992. It also aired in the UK, and was dubbed for broadcast in France.

It was a joint American/British series, filmed and produced in the United Kingdom by a British production company for an American network. The series follows the daily intrigues of Sir Thomas Grey, a widower, and his sons and daughter. Covington Cross is the the name of Sir Thomas' castle. His children are eldest son Armus, the serious Richard, free spirit Cedric, and strong-willed daughter Eleanor. Another son son William appeared in the pilot episode, but was then said to have been called to head off and fight in the crusades. Also figuring into Sir Thomas's life is his love interest, Lady Elizabeth.

A lighthearted drama, the Greys each week would face a new dilemma that would test their honor and wits. Many of these dilemmas were concocted by Sir Thomas's evil neighbor, Baron John Mullens. The show's story setting and format have been likened to the classic American TV western Bonanza, also a drama following a widower with three sons, who has considerable wealth and influence in his community and is seen as a man of honor living on a sizable estate.

Run and cancellation

Thirteen episodes were produced, but only seven aired in the US. The show had been postponed by ABC for several weeks after the first episode, and was pre-empted when Ross Perot bought the show's timeslot to air his live political commercials for his candidacy in the 1992 US presidential campaign. It was also a fairly expensive show to produce, including overseas production costs. Much of the filming was done in and around castles in England. Allington Castle was used for the exterior scenes, while Covington Cross and Penshurst Place in Kent were used for the interior scenes.

The Great Hall at Penshurst Place, circa 1915

Cast

• Sir Thomas Grey - Nigel Terry
• Lady Elizabeth - Cherie Lunghi
• William Grey - Ben Porter (pilot episode)
• Armus Grey - Tim Killick
• 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

The show was created by Gil Grant

Episodes & Original Airdates

• 1.) Pilot - August 25, 1992
• 2.) Armus Returns - September 19, 1992
• 3.) Outlaws - September 26, 1992
• 4.) Cedric Hits The Road - October 3, 1992
• 5.) The Hero - October 10, 1992
• 6.) Blinded Passions - October 24, 1992
• 7.) The Persecution - October 31, 1992
• 8.) Eviction - unaired
• 9.) The Trial - unaired
• 10.) The Plague - unaired
• 11.) Revenge - unaired
• 12.) Celebration - unaired
• 13.) Brothers - unaired

External links

• Internet Movie Database - Covington Cross
• TV.com - Covington Cross