
An eccentric professor and a policewoman pursue criminals and find love.
Bates plays the titular Oliver, a keen word-game enthusiast and lecturer in comparative religion. After his teaching post is made redundant, he resolves to make use of his new wealth of free time by going to visit his favourite crossword compiler, 'Aristotle', with whom he has corresponded but whom he has never met. When he arrives, however, he finds Aristotle's house has been ransacked and its occupant has departed for parts unknown, and he sets out to discover why.
Sinéad Cusack
WPC Diane Priest
Alan Bates
Oliver
Bill Paterson
Baxter
Morgan Jones
Michael Priest
Peter Vaughan
Delaney
Charlotte Coleman
Cathy
Sophie Uliano
Sara
Michael Byrne
Moody
Sue Roderick
Norma Moody
Mollie Sugden
Mrs. Robson