Finding your next obsession
Finding your next obsession

The wind blows free
The Onedin Line is a BBC television drama series which ran from 1971 to 1980. The series was created by Cyril Abraham. The series is set in Liverpool from 1860 to 1886 and deals with the rise of a shipping line, the Onedin Line, named after its owner James Onedin. Around this central theme are the lives of his family, most notably his brother and partner, shop owner Robert, and his sister Elizabeth, giving insight into the lifestyle and customs at the time, not only at sea, but also ashore. The series also illustrates some of the changes in business and shipping, such as from wooden to steel ships and from sailing ships to steam ships. It shows the role that ships played in affairs like international politics, uprisings and the slave trade.
LUXEN Decision Guide
A character-led series where relationships, personal stakes, and the gradual build of a story are central to the experience.
Best fit
Who it is for
Best suited to viewers who prefer character investment over a purely episodic watch.
Commitment
Long-form commitment · 8 seasons
Use the season and episode count to judge how much time you want to invest.
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Read the synopsis.
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The series

15 episodes
1971

14 episodes
1972

13 episodes
1973

10 episodes
1976

10 episodes
1977

10 episodes
1978

10 episodes
1979

9 episodes
1980
Cast
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