Rising Damp stars Leonard Rossiter as the scheming landlord Rupert Rigsby, Frances de la Tour as the prim Miss Ruth Jones, Don Warrington as the sophisticated Philip, and Richard Beckinsale as the naive Alan.
Main cast
- Rupert RigsbyLeonard Rossiter1–4Main
- Ruth JonesFrances de la Tour1–4Main
- PhilipDon Warrington1–4Main
- AlanRichard Beckinsale1–4Main
Supporting cast
- SeymourChristopher Strauli2Supp
- Mr. HallJohn Warner1–4Supp
- Mrs. Jones (Ruth’s mother)Daphne Oxenford1Supp
Guest & voice
- BrendaLinda Polan1Guest
- Mr. JohnsonEric Dodson1Guest
- DoreenLizzie Mickery2Guest
- Mr. SnellJohn Ringham3Guest
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About this cast
The classic British sitcom Rising Damp follows the residents of a seedy boarding house in Yorkshire. The show is best known for Leonard Rossiter’s iconic performance as the miserly, lecherous landlord Rigsby, matched by Frances de la Tour, Don Warrington, and Richard Beckinsale as his tenants.
FAQs
Who plays Rupert Rigsby in Rising Damp?
Leonard Rossiter plays the scheming landlord Rupert Rigsby.
What is the theme tune of Rising Damp?
The theme tune is an instrumental piece composed by John Shakespeare, often referred to as ‘Rising Damp Theme’.
How many seasons of Rising Damp are there?
There are four seasons, airing from 1974 to 1978.
Was Rising Damp based on a stage play?
Yes, the TV series was based on the play ‘The Banana Box’ by Eric Chappell, which also featured Rossiter and de la Tour.
Did Rising Damp win any awards?
Leonard Rossiter won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance in 1976 for his role as Rigsby.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026