CineScope

Chelmsford 123

Chelmsford 123 Poster

Chelmsford, Britain in the year AD 123; there is a power struggle between Roman governor Aulus Paulinus and the British chieftain, Badvoc. Britain is a miserable place, cold and wet – just the place to exile Aulus for accidentally insulting the Emperor's horse, but also give him something useful to do. Aulus, probably a play on Aulus Platorius Nepos, the governor of Roman Britain between 122 and 125, was a rather delicate Roman, who was usually outwitted by the scheming Badvoc, who hadn't had a haircut for twenty-five years.

Comedy

3.5 / 5

9th March 1988 - 20th February 1990
Top Cast
Rory McGrathJimmy MulvilleNeil Pearson
Watch Providers 🇬🇧
Channel 4
Channel 4
Production Companies

Arrivederci Roma Still
Arrivederci Roma
9th March 1988

Episode 1

Aulus is given the Governor's job as a suitable punishment for accidentally insulting the Holy Roman Emperors' girlfriend (a horse!). They arrive in England to a surprisingly warm welcome from the Brits but inadvertently upset them at the first night celebration.

What's Your Poison? Still
What's Your Poison?
16th March 1988

Episode 2

Aulus tries to win over the Brits by doing an early morning walkabout and arranging a banquet. Grasientus buys poison from Wolfbane with a view to killing Badvoc. Aulus is dismayed when Grasientus is exposed as a poisoner... but then Badvoc and Aulus are found to be up to the same tricks.

The Girl of My Dreams Still
The Girl of My Dreams
23rd March 1988

Episode 3

Aulus is having troubled dreams and tries to have them interpreted. A tribe of female warriors demands a male sacrifice after their cheif's three daughters are de-flowered. The women lay seige to Aulus, Badvoc, Grasientus and Functio for over a month.

One for the Road Still
One for the Road
30th March 1988

Episode 4

Aulus pledges to build a Roman road from Chelmsford to London but the proposed route goes straight through a brothel that is being run by Badvoc and his men and being frequented by Functio. Blagg makes a career change from Shepherd to Masseur.

Vidi, Vici, Veni Still
Vidi, Vici, Veni
6th April 1988

Episode 5

Badvoc is kidnapped by two Triconi. Aulus decides to 'protect' Gargamadua. Badvoc outwits the Triconi and talks them into sending a ransom demand of 100 bags of gold to Aulus.

Peeled Grapes and Pedicures Still
Peeled Grapes and Pedicures
13th April 1988

Episode 6

Aulus decides to liven up Chelmsford with the Festival of Saturnalia. As part of the revelry, a fool is made king for a day - and so the Romans naturally choose Badvoc.

Full Crew

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