Some television sets are so iconic that you can recognise them instantly, while others might not stand out so much but still do their job perfectly, transporting you to a time and place without ever seeming overbearing.
It stands to reason that some of the best sets ever made have been created by the teams at the BBC, which, after all, has created some of the most famous and widely-watched TV ever.
To cheer people up during these trying times, the BBC has made a wide selection of images of some of its most famous sets available touse as backgrounds for people’s Zoom callsand video chats, so we’ve sifted through the archive and selected a range of amazing photos from the list.
Top of the Pops
The stage for Top of the Pops in 1965 was quite a sight. Complete with the charts on the back wall and a drum kit ready for a mime-along performance..
One of the most well-known music shows ever made, Top of the Pops was around for decades (and will appear much later in this gallery, too).
Here, we can see its studio in 1965, complete with the charts on the back wall and a drum kit ready for a mime-along performance.
A quintessentially BBC sitcom with a variety of quaint sets including this view of the village hall.
Dad’s Army is a quintessentially BBC sitcom, with warmth and good heart all tied up in its tales of the Home Front, and it had a variety of quaint sets to go with it, including this view of the village hall.
Another view of a familiar sight from the show.
This view of the pub set from Dad’s Army, meanwhile, is interesting for how it contrasts to some of those you’ll see later on, in terms of detail and. the amount of set dressing around the place.
Steptoe and Son
In fact, speaking of set dressing, this room from Steptoe and Son shows just how much you may squeeze into the background to characterise your location, and the characters who live in it.
Fawlty Towers
Fawlty Towers is a true classic of comedy, even despite the paucity of episodes in its actual run.
This view of the dining area of the hotel captures a lot of the tawdry Britishness that makes it so cringingly enjoyable.
Porridge is set, famously, in a prison, and it’s fascinating to see a different angle on the main walkways that make up the jail. It gives some context for how complicated shooting could have been on what might otherwise look a simple show.
Porridge again
Of course, much of the action in Porridge is shot in this very cell, making things a little less complicated. Its simple design is important, of course, given the characters' incarceration.
The Good Life
By contrast, this homely kitchen says an awful lot about how the central couple live in The Good Life, in effective bliss in a semi-rural setting with a delightfully individual set of decor.
Doctor Who
When you’re talking about unique decorations, though, not much can top Doctor Who’s Tardis, in any of its iterations.
This is from 1976, and showcases a dingier, darker look than modern versions.
A different Tardis
Only a few years later, and the Tardis is completely different inside, as happens when a new Doctor arrives on the scene. Now we’ve got wide open space and bright light.
