James Bolam stars as ex-soldier Jack Ford, with Jean Heywood as his mother Bella and Susan Jameson as his wife Sally in this BBC drama set in post-WW1 Tyneside.
Main cast
- Jack FordJames Bolam1–4Main
- Bella FordJean Heywood1–4Main
- Sally Forster (later Sally Ford)Susan Jameson1–4Main
- Billy BallJohn Woodnutt1–4Main
- Matt HigginsJames Garbutt1–3Main
- Tom BradleyMalcolm Terris1–4Main
Supporting cast
- Jessie BradleyMadge Hindle1–4Supp
- Mr. ForsterJohn Collin1–2Supp
- Joe McIlvanneyDesmond Cullum-Jones2–4Supp
- FionaMelanie Gibson3–4Supp
Guest & voice
- Sir William WainwrightJohn Phillips1Guest
- Mr. G. H. ElliottGeorge Irving2Guest
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About this cast
When the Boat Comes In is a BBC television drama series that ran from 1976 to 1981. Set in the Tyneside town of Gallowshield (fictionalised South Shields), it follows the life of returning soldier Jack Ford and his struggles to adapt to civilian life after World War I, against a backdrop of social and political change in the 1920s and 1930s. The series was created by James Mitchell and became a…
FAQs
Who plays Jack Ford in When the Boat Comes In?
Jack Ford is played by James Bolam.
Who plays Bella Ford in When the Boat Comes In?
Bella Ford is played by Jean Heywood.
When was When the Boat Comes In set?
The series begins in 1919 just after World War I and continues into the 1930s.
How many seasons of When the Boat Comes In are there?
The series ran for four seasons, broadcast between 1976 and 1981.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026