Watch Who Pays the Ferryman?

1977
1 Season
7.9 (231)

Who Pays the Ferryman? is a 1977 BBC television series set in Crete, Greece. The show stars Jack Hedley as Alan Haldane, a British intelligence officer who returns to Crete after serving in World War II. Haldane is haunted by the loss of his wife during the war and is looking for a new purpose in life.

The show follows Haldane as he wanders through the island, trying to find a sense of belonging. He meets and befriends many of the locals, including beautiful Greek woman Annika (Lalla Ward). However, his renewed sense of purpose is sparked when he stumbles upon an old army buddy, David Coombes (Neil McCarthy), who has become involved in diamond smuggling on the island.

Haldane is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his duty to his country. The series takes on a number of complicated themes, including the after-effects of war, the nature of loyalty, and the presence of crime in a small town.

The show's setting is a beautiful and romanticized version of Crete, with the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean in the background and the stunning architecture of the island

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Seasons

8. The Daughters of Themis

February 20, 2012

The Major finds that Alan's car was sabotaged. Mateos flees, and Alan follows. A stroke fells Katerina, and Annika learns the family secret. Babis gathers Alan's wartime comrades, and they join with the police to track down Mateos.

7. A River to Cross

December 19, 1977

Alan receives a written threat, and shows it to the Major. Babis prepares the legal documents for Alan and Nikos' partnership; they all celebrate with a party at Annika's house, but the day ends with a terrible accident.

6. The Well

December 12, 1977

Alan and Annika meet an Englishman, Duncan, who's helping villagers drill a well in a small mountain town. Duncan lives with a much younger woman, Sally, and conceals a secret that will lead to a clash with the Major.

5. Receive the Light

December 5, 1977

Katerina asks Matheos to get rid of Alan by any means. Local fisherman Xenophon challenges Alan to a sailing race. After the race everyone gathers to celebrate, but the party ends when Alan's boat is burned.

4. A Dead Man to Carry My Cross

November 28, 1977

Tony Viglis arrives in Elounda escorting the coffin of his grandfather, who wished to be buried in his hometown, thus re-igniting a vendetta with Annika's family. Alan takes his side, and convinces Annika and her brother to end the feud.

3. Long Shadow

November 21, 1977

Alan plans a new business with Nikos and Elena. Matheos tricks a past lover of Alan's, Lorna, into visiting, causing a rift with Annika. Annika becomes aware of the deception and dismisses Matheos.

2. Some Talk of Alexander

February 20, 2012

Alan gets to know his daughter's family, and begins restoring a boat. Annika's mother asks her to stop seeing Alan. Hebden visits Elounda with his daughter, awakening ghosts from the past and narrowly escaping death.

1. Return to Yesterday

November 7, 1977

Alan Haldane returns to Crete, where he spent World War II. He meets an old resistance comrade, Babis Spiridakis, and a beautiful woman, Annika. Babis reveals a secret from the past. Alan decides to stay on indefinitely.

Description

The show's setting is a beautiful and romanticized version of Crete, with the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean in the background and the stunning architecture of the island