Wendy Craig stars as Ria Parkinson, Geoffrey Palmer as her husband Ben, and Nicholas Lyndhurst as their son Adam in the BBC sitcom ‘Butterflies‘ (1978–1983).
Main cast
- Ria ParkinsonWendy Craig1–4Main
- Ben ParkinsonGeoffrey Palmer1–4Main
- Leonard DunnBruce Montague1–4Main
- Adam ParkinsonNicholas Lyndhurst1–4Main
- Russell ParkinsonAndrew Hall1–4Main
Supporting cast
- AliceJoyce Windsor1–4Supp
- ThomasMichael Ripper1–4Supp
- Miss FarnabyJean Boht2–4Supp
Guest & voice
- Mrs. Parkinson (Ben’s mother)Diana King1Guest
- Mr. DudleyJohn Bardon3Guest
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About this cast
Butterflies is a BBC sitcom created by Carla Lane, airing from 1978 to 1983. It follows Ria Parkinson, a middle-class housewife, as she navigates her mundane marriage to dentist Ben and her romantic fantasies about a businessman, Leonard. The show is known for its gentle humour and exploration of female desire.
FAQs
Who plays Ria Parkinson in Butterflies?
Wendy Craig plays Ria Parkinson.
How many seasons of Butterflies are there?
There are 4 seasons, airing from 1978 to 1983.
What is Butterflies about?
It’s a sitcom about Ria Parkinson, a housewife who fantasises about a businessman while stuck in a dull marriage to a dentist.
Who wrote Butterflies?
Carla Lane created and wrote the series.
Is Butterflies available on streaming?
It has been released on DVD and occasionally streams on BBC iPlayer or BritBox, but availability varies.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026