Brookside legend Sue Johnston stars in Play for Today revival on Channel 5 - how to watch

Running on BBC 1 between 1970 and 1984, Play for Today launched the careers of many now well-known actors, such as Liverpool’s very own Alison Steadman.

Now, more than thirty years after it was cancelled, Play for Today has been revived by Channel 5. The new series will “showcase a wealth of new TV talent, emerging writers and directors”, in four one-hour standalone dramas,

While each episode includes huge names from British soap operas, the series will “champion new voices and focus on bringing low-income talent into the spotlight behind the scenes in writing, directing and production roles”.

The first episode - titled Never Too Late - aired on Thursday (November 13), starring Eastenders’ Anita Dobson and Corrie’s Nigel Havers.

Sue Johnston will star in this Thursday’s (November 20) episode, alongside Paul Copley. The pair will play Edith and Arthur, a married couple who win £14 million in the lottery. The synopsis for the episode titled Big Winners reads: “Edith wants a divorce, and decades of buried emotions erupt in a fierce, funny, and heartbreaking confrontation.”

You can watch Sue Johnston in Play for Today at 9.00pm on Thursday on Channel 5.

The final episode, titled Special Measures, will be led by Jessica Plummer and set in the heart of Liverpool. it will see Manor Lane High - a school on the edge - visited by Ofsted in a surprise inspection.

Special Measures will air at 9.00pm on December 11 on Channel 5.

Information about all four episodes is available here.