Episodes and broadcast dates:

• The Queen’s Goodbye: Sunday 19 April 1964
• Return to Zenda: Sunday 26 April 1964
• Audience with the King: Sunday 3 May 1964
• The Wheel of Chance: Sunday 10 May 1964
• A Perilous Reunion: Sunday 17 May 1964
• The Decision of Fate: Sunday 24 May 1964

Character: Rupert

Above: Peter as Rupert of Hentzau

Some Background

Among the many British television productions lost to history, few are as intriguing as the BBC’s 1964 serial Rupert of Hentzau. Adapted from Anthony Hope’s 1898 novel and broadcast in six half-hour episodes, the series served as a sequel to the celebrated Ruritanian adventure The Prisoner of Zenda. The production featured an impressive cast led by George Baker, Barbara Shelley, and Peter Wyngarde, with adaptation by Donald Wilson and direction by Gerald Blake. Unfortunately, all six episodes are believed to be lost, making the serial a notable casualty of the BBC’s archival policies of that era.

Despite its absence, Rupert of Hentzau retains a particular fascination. The combination of its source material, cast, and genre places it firmly within the tradition of romantic adventure stories that enjoyed immense popularity during the mid-twentieth century.

The serial was based upon Hope’s acclaimed sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda. Set three years after the original story, the plot finds Queen Flavia torn between duty and love. Although she has fulfilled her obligations by marrying King Rudolf of Ruritania, her feelings for the English gentleman Rudolf Rassendyll persist. When she writes to him, the letter is intercepted by Rupert of Hentzau, a disgraced aristocrat who seeks to restore his fortunes by exploiting the situation. This precipitates a tale of intrigue, assassination, and sacrifice, drawing Rassendyll back into the volatile politics of Ruritania.

The story possesses all the hallmarks that made Ruritanian romances so enduringly popular: clandestine plots, swordplay, mistaken identities, and noble acts of self-sacrifice. At its core lies the conflict between personal happiness and public obligation, a theme that provides the adventure with surprising emotional depth.

Central to the production was George Baker in the role of Rudolf Rassendyll. By 1964, Baker had established himself as one of Britain’s most reliable leading men. Possessing a natural sense of authority and a commanding presence, he was ideally suited to the role of the English hero who repeatedly risks everything for a foreign kingdom. Rassendyll is a compelling character because he does not seek adventure for its own sake; rather, he is compelled by honor and loyalty, even when doing so threatens his own happiness.

Baker’s casting appears particularly inspired, as he brought a necessary balance of strength and vulnerability to the role. Rassendyll must be capable of heroic action while simultaneously carrying the emotional burden of his impossible relationship with Flavia. It is easy to imagine Baker balancing these aspects of the character with considerable skill.

Equally significant was the casting of Barbara Shelley as Queen Flavia. While Shelley is often remembered today for her work in classic British horror, she was a versatile actress capable of conveying dignity, intelligence, and emotional complexity. As Flavia, she would have been required to embody the tragedy at the heart of the narrative.

Flavia is neither a helpless heroine nor a mere romantic interest; she is a queen whose personal desires have been sacrificed for political stability. Her dilemma provides the narrative with much of its emotional weight. Bound by her responsibilities to her country despite her love for Rassendyll, she is, in many ways, the most tragic figure in the saga. Shelley’s natural elegance made her an excellent choice, providing the grace and seriousness required to make Flavia convincing as both a monarch and a woman caught between duty and desire.

However, for many admirers of the serial, the greatest attraction was undoubtedly was Peter’s portrayal of Rupert of Hentzau. Appearing in all six episodes, Peter was perfectly suited to one of adventure fiction’s most charismatic villains.

Rupert is no ordinary antagonist; unlike many villains, he is not driven by ideology or outright malice. Instead, he is ambitious, manipulative, and opportunistic. Simultaneously, he possesses a charm and intelligence that make him as fascinating as the heroes he opposes. These qualities aligned perfectly with Peter’s strengths as an actor. Throughout his career, he excelled at portraying sophisticated, enigmatic, and morally ambiguous characters. His aristocratic bearing, distinctive voice, and remarkable screen presence made him uniquely qualified to bring Rupert to life.

It is easy to imagine Peter relishing the character’s wit and audacity. Rupert is a man who thrives on danger, treating life as a game played by his own rules. Such characters often dominate every scene, and Peter possessed the precise charisma required to ensure audiences found Rupert irresistible despite his villainy.

The supporting cast was equally impressive. John Phillips played the loyal Colonel Zapt, while Tristram Jellinek appeared as Fritz von Tarlenheim. Along with Sally Home and Derek Blomfield, they formed a strong ensemble that brought the world of Ruritania to life.

Broadcast between 19 April and 24 May 1964, the serial consisted of six episodes: The Queen’s Goodbye, Return to Zenda, Audience with the King, The Wheel of Chance, A Perilous Reunion, and The Decision of Fate.

These titles suggest a narrative rich in suspense and romance. Like many BBC serials of the era, the production was designed to unfold gradually, encouraging viewers to return weekly to discover the latest developments in the drama.

Unfortunately, modern audiences cannot judge the production directly, as all six episodes are listed as missing. Consequently, the serial survives only through documentation, cast records, programme schedules, and the memories of those who viewed it during its original transmission.

The loss is particularly regrettable given that the series brought together three performers at pivotal stages of their careers. Baker would later achieve international recognition through numerous film and television roles; Shelley became one of Britain’s most beloved screen actresses; and Peter would rise to immense popularity as Jason King, establishing himself as one of television’s most distinctive personalities.

From a historical perspective, Rupert of Hentzau represents a fascinating moment in British television. It belongs to an era when literary adaptations were a cornerstone of BBC drama and adventure serials attracted large family audiences. The production combined romance, political intrigue, and swashbuckling action in a manner that now feels nostalgic yet remains undeniably appealing.

Although the episodes themselves are lost, the reputation of Rupert of Hentzau endures. The prospect of seeing George Baker’s heroic Rassendyll, Barbara Shelley’s noble Flavia, and Peter’s dazzlingly villainous Rupert sharing the screen continues to capture the imagination. As a result, this forgotten 1964 serial remains one of the most intriguing lost treasures of British television history.

The Character of Rupert

The character of Count Rupert of Hentzau is an allegory for the corrupting influence of power. Rupert is a charismatic and charming man who uses his power to manipulate and control others. He is a symbol of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power. Rupert’s character is marked by his sly ambition, leaving a trail of deception and intrigue in his wake.

Breakdown of the episodes As they appeared in the Radio Times

‘The Queen’s Goodbye’ – Sun, Apr 19, 1964 Exiled from Ruritanta for treason, Rupert of Hentzau returns secretly, determined to discover what takes Fritz von Tarlenheim to Wintenberg. ‘Return to Zenda’ – Sun, Apr 26, 1964 Rudolf Rassendyll is again forced to imitate his cousin Rudolf V after Rupert of Hentzau fatally shoots the King in a remote hunting lodge. ‘Audience With The King’ – Sun, May 3, 1964 Rudolf Rassendyll sets a trap and Rupert of Hentzau receives an eagerly-awaited summons. The Wheel of Change – Sun, May 10, 1964 Rudolf Rassendyll goes on a journey with surprising results, and the King receives an unexpected visitor. ‘A Perilous Reunion’ – Sun, May 17, 1964 Queen Flavia is reunited with her true love Rudolf Rassendyll but the circumstances are less than ideal. ‘The Decision of Fate’ – Sun, May 24, 1964 Rupert of Hentzau meets the play-actor face to face and the future of the kingdom is resolved.

A bit of Trivia

For the part of Rupert in the series, Peter was required to wear some tight riding breeches which the director, Gerald Blake, felt were a bit too revealing in the crotch area. In the absence of anything with which to disguise the offending bulge, Peter had stuffed cotton wool down the front of the breeches. It was Sally Home who was played Helga von Tarlenheim in the series , and who had previously worked with Peter in ‘Duel of Angels‘ and ‘Night Conspirators‘, who first noticed the newly padded area when Peter walked on set at BBC TV Centre, exclaiming: “Oh, Peter, do take it out, it looked much better before!”