Going Straight is a BBC sitcom which was a direct spin-off from Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker as Norman Stanley Fletcher, newly released from the fictional Slade Prison where the earlier series had been set. It sees Fletcher trying to become an honest member of society, having vowed to stay away from crime on his release. The title refers to his attempt, 'straight' being a slang term meaning being honest, in contrast to 'bent', i.e., dishonest. Also re-appearing was Richard Beckinsale as Lennie Godber, who was Fletcher's naïve young cellmate and was now in a relationship with his daughter Ingrid. Her brother Raymond was played by a teenage Nicholas Lyndhurst. Only one series, of six episodes, was made in 1978. It attracted an audience of over 15 million viewers and won a BAFTA award in March 1979, but hopes of a further series had already been dashed by Beckinsale's premature death earlier in the same month.

Cast & crew

Ian La Frenais

Creator

Dick Clement

Creator

Sydney Lotterby

Director

Ronnie Barker

Norman Stanley Fletcher

Patricia Brake

Ingrid Fletcher

Richard Beckinsale

Lenny Godber

Nicholas Lyndhurst

Raymond Fletcher

D

David Swift

Mr McEwan

Rowena Cooper

Shirley Chapman

Timothy Bateson

Oaksey

Pete Postlethwaite

Thomas Clifford Crowther

Alfred Lynch

Dave Pipers

Roberta Tovey

Penny

E

Elizabeth Cassidy

Pamela

Fulton Mackay

Mr. Mackay

Nigel Hawthorne

Worm Wellings

F

Freddie Earlle

Tony

Royston Tickner

Sergeant

Milton Johns

Mr. Kirby

L

Lally Bowers

Mrs. Appleby

Norman Jones

Mr. Tanner

M

Michael Turner

Mr. Scotcher

Tony Osoba

McLaren

Seasons

6 episodes

Series 11978 · 6 episodes