It's 1664 and Sam starts the year with a family visit to a coffee house. As time progresses, however, his trips around London have a more salacious purpose, as his thoughts turn increasingly towards the ladies in his life. The neighbourhood, meanwhile, suffers some serious crimes: a local criminal mastermind is caught and hanged. Sam goes to the hanging, and balances on a cartwheel to get a good view - but is sorry to see it. Sam hears of a rape which is hushed up because the perpetrators are attendants to the Queen Mother. Then other news arrives - that Sam's brother Tom has been taken seriously ill.

Cast: Samuel Pepys - Kris Marshall, Elizabeth Pepys - Katherine Jakeways, Uncle Wight - Ewan Bailey, Aunty Wight - Manon Edwards, Will - John Biddle, Bessie - Sarah Ovens, Colonel Turner - Matthew Gravelle, Tom Pepys - Gareth Pierce.

Theme music: Gather Ye Rosebuds While You May, words by Robert Herrick and music by William Lawes, sung by Bethany Hughes. Lute, baroque guitar and theorbo played by David Miller. Violin and viol by Annika Gray, and recorders by Alice Baxter.

Historical consultant: Liza Picard

Sound by Nigel Lewis

A BBC/Cymru Wales production, directed by Kate McAll. Show less