If you’ve spent any time scouring streaming platforms or DVD bargain bins for As Time Goes By TV series season 10, I’ve got some news that might sting a bit. It doesn't exist. Not in the way we usually think of television seasons, anyway.
It's one of those weird internet myths that refuses to die. You'll see it listed on sketchy torrent sites or mentioned in passing on forums by fans who are convinced they missed something. But the truth is much more British. It’s a story of a show that knew when to stop, then came back for a "cuppa" and a chat, and then finally called it a day for good.
Bob Larbey, the brilliant writer behind the show, and the legendary duo of Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer, didn't actually produce a tenth series. They gave us nine.
The Confusion Surrounding As Time Goes By TV Series Season 10
Why do people keep searching for it? It’s basically down to how networks package things. After Season 9 ended in 2002, the BBC didn't just walk away. They produced a two-part reunion special in 2005.
In some international markets—especially in the US on PBS—these specials were bundled together and marketed as "Season 10" to make the DVD sets look more complete. Honestly, it’s a bit of a marketing trick. If you buy a "Complete Collection," you might see a disc labeled as the tenth installment, but if you look at the episode count, it’s just the two specials: "You Must Remember This."
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The 2005 Specials: The Closest We Ever Got
These two episodes are often the culprit for the confusion. They aired three years after the "final" season. Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle were back, dealing with the prospect of grandchildren and the general slowing down of life.
It felt different. The rhythm was slower. Judi Dench was already a massive global film star by then, having firmly established herself as M in the Bond franchise, yet she came back to this cozy living room set. That speaks volumes about the love the cast had for these characters.
Why the Show Ended at Nine Seasons
British sitcoms have this habit of quitting while they're ahead. Unlike American shows that get milked for 22 episodes a year until the ratings tank, As Time Goes By followed the classic UK model.
- Bob Larbey’s Writing: Larbey wrote every single episode. That is an exhausting feat. By the end of Series 9, the central "will they/won't they" (which was really a "will they stay together") had been resolved for years.
- The Age Factor: Geoffrey Palmer was born in 1927. Judi Dench in 1934. By 2005, they were getting on. The show was about aging gracefully and rediscoveries, but there's a limit to how much "waits-and-see" drama you can squeeze out of a couple in their late 70s without it becoming repetitive.
- The Plot Ran Out: Lionel and Jean were married. Sandy and Harry were settled. Alistair and Judith were... well, they were Alistair and Judith. There wasn't a cliffhanger left to dangle.
People often forget that the show actually started because of a missed connection in the 1950s. Once that "lost time" was reclaimed and they had lived a decade together on screen, the narrative circle was essentially closed.
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The Myth of the "Lost" Script
There’s a persistent rumor in fan circles that a full As Time Goes By TV series season 10 script was written but shelved when Geoffrey Palmer decided to retire.
There is zero evidence for this.
Geoffrey Palmer didn't actually retire after the specials; he kept working right up until shortly before his death in 2020, appearing in things like Paddington and The Hollow Crown. The decision to end the show was a collective "this is enough."
What You’re Actually Seeing Online
If you see a streaming service like BritBox or a platform like Amazon Prime listing a tenth season, look at the metadata.
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- Check the air dates: If the dates are 2005, it's the specials.
- Check the episode count: If there are only two episodes, it’s definitely the specials.
- Check the title: Some regions split the 2005 specials into four 30-minute segments instead of two hour-long ones. This makes it look like a "mini-season," further fueling the As Time Goes By TV series season 10 search intent.
It’s frustrating. I get it. You want more of that dry, understated humor. You want to see Lionel look annoyed at Alistair one more time. But what we have is what we have.
How to Properly Watch the "Final" Content
If you've watched all 67 original episodes and you're craving that "Season 10" experience, you need to track down the 2005 Reunion Specials.
They focus on the idea of legacy. Jean is desperate for a grandchild. Lionel is, predictably, trying to avoid any kind of drama or exertion. It’s a beautiful coda to a show that never relied on slapstick or cheap gags. It was always about the dialogue—the pauses, the sighs, and the "Oh, Lionel" moments.
Real-World Legacy
The show remains a staple of "Comfort TV." In a 2023 survey of classic British sitcoms, it still ranks in the top tier for "rewatchability." It doesn't have the cynical edge of Fawlty Towers or the absurdity of Monty Python. It’s just... nice. And "nice" is hard to do without being boring.
Actionable Steps for Fans
Since a new season isn't coming (and wouldn't be possible without the late Geoffrey Palmer), here is how to get your fix:
- Track down "The Picnic": This is a 1993 short special often omitted from standard season runs.
- Watch 'A Fine Romance': If you want to see Judi Dench in a sitcom with her actual late husband, Michael Williams, this is the spiritual predecessor to As Time Goes By. It’s zanier but carries that same DNA.
- Ignore the 'Season 10' Listings: Stop paying for "Season 10" separately on digital storefronts if you already own the "Complete Collection" or the "Specials" disc. You likely already have the content.
- Check the BritBox "Specials" Tab: Often, streaming services hide the 2005 finale under a separate "Specials" or "Bonus Content" category rather than listing it as a final season.
The story of Lionel and Jean ended exactly where it needed to. While the ghost of a tenth season haunts the internet, the actual legacy of the show is perfectly preserved in the episodes we already have.