The Lady in the Van
The true story of Miss Shepherd, an eccentric woman of uncertain origins, who 'temporarily' parked her broken-down van in writer Alan Bennett's London driveway for 15 years.
1970s Camden Town. Writer Alan Bennett's neighbours include the outspoken and unconventional Miss Shepherd, proudly residing in a van parked on the street. Offering space on his front drive for her vehicle begins a bizarre arrangement that he feels guilty about later exploiting in print. Acclaimed comedy drama from BBC Films based on actual events.
Last on
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
![]()
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony no.9 in D minor, op.125
![]()
Frédéric Chopin
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Minor, Op.11: III. Rondo - Vivace
Performer: Clare Hammond. Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra.![]()
00:06George Fenton
Moving In
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
00:07George Fenton
The New Van
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
00:09George Fenton
Alive and Well
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
00:12George Fenton
Re-Parking
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
00:14George Fenton
Walk Through The Cemetery
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
00:21George Fenton
Miss Shepherd's Waltz
![]()
00:24George Fenton
The Neighbours
![]()
00:28George Fenton
Special Paint
![]()
00:43George Fenton
Two Women - Tango
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
Frédéric Chopin
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E Minor, Op.11: III. Rondo - Vivace
Performer: Clare Hammond. Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra.![]()
00:52George Fenton
In Care
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
00:55George Fenton
Broadstairs
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
Franz Schubert
Impromptu in G Flat Major, Op. 90, No. 3
Performer: Hannah Watson.![]()
01:05George Fenton
Freewheeling
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
01:15George Fenton
The Day Centre
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
01:27George Fenton
A Sepulchre
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
01:29Kosheen
Harder
![]()
01:30George Fenton
Collision and Confession
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
01:31George Fenton
Remembering Miss Shepherd
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra.![]()
01:33George Fenton
The Ascension (Miss Shepherd's Waltz)
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: George Fenton.![]()
Triplet Twins
Pretty Please
![]()
Hermann Langschwert & Wolfgang Killian
Liberty of Action
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Miss Shepherd | Maggie Smith |
| Alan Bennett | Alex Jennings |
| Mam | Gwen Taylor |
| Underwood | Jim Broadbent |
| Ursula Vaughan Williams | Frances de la Tour |
| Miss Briscoe | Cecilia Noble |
| Rufus | Roger Allam |
| Pauline | Deborah Findlay |
| Mr Fairchild | David Calder |
| Giles Perry | Nicholas Burns |
| Lois | Claire Foy |
| Priest | Dermot Crowley |
| Lady Wiggin | Selina Cadell |
| Theatre Actor | Dominic Cooper |
| Market Trader | James Corden |
| Man with Earring | Russell Tovey |
| Doctor | Stephen Campbell Moore |
| Man in Confessional | Clive Merrison |
| Director | Nicholas Hytner |
| Writer | Alan Bennett |
Broadcasts
Christmas Eve 201621:00- Thu 29 Dec 201602:00
- Sat 19 Aug 201721:00
- Christmas Eve 201822:00
- Sat 6 Jul 201922:20BBC One except Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland HD, Wales & Wales HD
- Sat 6 Jul 201923:05BBC One Wales & Wales HD only
- Sat 6 Jul 201923:20BBC One Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
- Sat 13 Jul 201900:00BBC One except Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland HD, Wales & Wales HD
- Sat 13 Jul 201900:05BBC One Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
- Mon 23 Dec 201922:45BBC Two England & HD only
- Fri 26 Jun 202022:45BBC One except Scotland, Scotland HD, Wales & Wales HD
- Fri 26 Jun 202023:45BBC One Scotland, Wales HD, Wales & Scotland HD only
Mon 29 Jun 202022:00- Mon 14 Dec 202021:00
- Sat 18 Dec 202121:00
- Thu 10 Nov 202221:00
- Sat 8 Jul 202322:25
- Thu 9 May 202421:00
- Sun 13 Oct 202422:30BBC One except HD, Wales & Wales HD
- Sun 13 Oct 202423:00BBC One Wales & Wales HD only
- Wed 16 Oct 202422:20
- Christmas Day 202422:20BBC Two except Scotland
- Thu 4 Sep 202523:40BBC One except HD, Scotland & Scotland HD
- Fri 5 Sep 202500:10BBC One Scotland & Scotland HD only
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Interviews, production images and more
More on The Lady in the Van from the BBC Films team.
Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner in conversation
The film's writer and director talk to Francine Stock at the 2015 Hay Festival.
