The Best Episodes Written By Sally Wainwright

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.9/10(7 votes)

   #1 - I'm Not the Other Woman, She Is

   S2:E45/16/2022

   Anne Lister is drawn back into her complicated past with Mariana during a trip to Lawton Hall. Determined to draw a line under the tempestuous 20-year relationship, the women find themselves raking over past heartache. Back at Shibden with her in-laws, Ann Walker receives a visitor of her own, in a sneaky move by her meddling cousins.

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright
2. 

   7.7/10(7 votes)

   #2 - It’s Not Illegal

   S2:E86/13/2022

   Anne and Ann’s marriage is in serious danger when Captain Sutherland arrives from Scotland determined to destroy Anne Lister’s reputation.

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright

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3. 

   7.6/10(16 votes)

   #3 - Are You Still Talking?

   S1:E86/10/2019

   Following a four-week journey from Paris to Copenhagen, Anne finds acceptance and appreciation in Danish high society, stepping out of her sartorial comfort zone to attend a birthday ball hosted by Queen Marie. When difficult news arrives from Shibden, Anne is faced with the decision to stay in Europe or go back home.

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright

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4. 

   7.6/10(8 votes)

   #4 - Tripe All Over the Place, Presumably

   S2:E35/9/2022

   Anne Lister and Ann Walker launch a charm offensive on Ann’s relatives, determined to show them that Miss Walker is flourishing at Shibden Hall. Anne is fascinated by the arrival of a railway in Yorkshire, and quizzes Halifax’s men of industry on what this revolution could mean for the town.

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright

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5. 

   7.5/10(16 votes)

   #5 - Do Ladies Do That?

   S1:E65/27/2019

   With Ann Walker's mental health in an alarming downward spiral - and her overprotective relatives watching over her – Anne Lister is forced to contemplate travelling alone, despite her family's warnings that to do so would raise eyebrows. Meanwhile, Anne reopens her coal-mine negotiations with the Rawson brothers, and Thomas Sowden's secret casts a cloud over his budding relationship with Suzannah Washington.

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright

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6. 

   7.4/10(16 votes)

   #6 - Let's Have Another Look at Your Past Perfect

   S1:E55/20/2019

   The widowed Reverend Ainsworth arrives in Halifax with his sights set on Ann Walker's hand in marriage. Aware that Ainsworth's attentions are stirring up painful memories for her lover, Anne sets out to deal with the clergyman in her own inimitable manner. However, she soon realizes that there are greater demons inside Ann Walker's troubled mind.

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright

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7. 

   7.4/10(17 votes)

   #7 - I Just Went There to Study Anatomy

   S1:E24/29/2019

   Anne begins a playful but dangerous courtship of shy local heiress Miss Walker, who quickly finds herself captivated by the attention of her charismatic and unusual neighbour. Anne's plan to renovate Shibden Hall is also stepping up a gear, and her determination to sink her own coal mines brings her into the path of local magistrate Christopher Rawson and his brother Jeremiah.

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright

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8. 

   7.3/10(6 votes)

   #8 - Personal

   S1:E36/12/2011

   When a rape and murder case goes to trial, DCI Gill Murray is determined to see the defendant, Georgios Stelikos, convicted. But the case is made more complicated because only one of the alleged victims is prepared to testify. When Rachel gives evidence, she is horrified to discover that her ex Nick is the defence barrister. Nick's cross examination shakes her when he uses information which passed between them when they were together. But as the verdict is delivered, events take a shocking turn.

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright

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9. 

   7.3/10(8 votes)

   #9 - Two Jacks Don't Suit

   S2:E25/2/2022

   Anne Lister’s former flame, Isabella ‘Tib’ Norcliffe, threatens to derail Anne’s idyllic honeymoon by revealing details of her complicated romantic past to Ann Walker. Questioned by Ann in the foothills of Mont Blanc, Anne Lister reveals something of her relationship with Mariana Lawton, but keeps back crucial information.

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   Writer:Sally Wainwright

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10. 

    7.2/10(6 votes)

    #10 - Congratulations

    S1:E15/29/2011

    DC Rachel Bailey, DC Janet Scott and the team take on a new case - a young Turkish woman has been killed, and her murder made to look like suicide. Rachel finds out that the woman's husband was having an affair, and takes a risk when it comes to interviewing the man's mistress. Will her high-stakes approach get results? She also uses her police privileges to carry out an investigation into her own ex - and is horrified to discover that he is married with two children. Meanwhile, Janet agrees to take another look at the case of an old school friend, Veronica, who was abducted and murdered when they were children.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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11. 

    7.2/10(16 votes)

    #11 - Why've You Brought That?

    S1:E76/3/2019

    Before setting off for Europe to escape the heartache of her doomed relationship with Ann Walker, Anne invites Christopher Rawson to Shibden to rebuke him for publicly insulting Marian. Undeterred by his warnings that her accusations will have dangerous repercussions, Anne comes up with a bold, reckless strategy to finally sink her own pit and expose the Rawsons' industrial-scale theft of her coal.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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12. 

    7.0/10(18 votes)

    #12 - Oh Is That What You Call It?

    S1:E35/6/2019

    Despite mutual acquaintances begin to chatter about their relationship, Anne confides her hopes for a future with Ann Walker to her aunt. Meanwhile, the Rawson brothers step up their attempts to out-maneuver her in the coal business, and Marian grows annoyed that her sister is treating Shibden like a hotel.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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13. 

    7.0/10(17 votes)

    #13 - Most Women Are Dull and Stupid

    S1:E45/13/2019

    During a visit to York, Anne is delighted when Doctor Belcombe confirms that she is the perfect tonic for Ann Walker's nervous disorder. When the news of a bereavement arrives at Cliff Hill, Ann's desperate reaction makes Anne suspect that there's more to it and that Ann has secrets of her own. As her rivalry with Christopher Rawson heats up, Anne plans to re-open her old coal mines and sink her own shaft.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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14. 

    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - Falling Apart

    S1:E87/20/1999

    Julie J received a Birthday card from her son and discovered that it was a coded recipe for brewing alcohol. The Julies, along with Nikki and Denny, then try to make the alchohol. They were nearly caught by Sylvia but the Julies managed to distract her enough to divert her attention from the shed. Monica received the shattering news that her son, Spencer, had died from a fatal heart attack. Helen goes to the funeral with Monica and showed her compassion when she removed Monica's handcuffs. The inmates name their new wine in honour of Spencer.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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15. 

    6.9/10(19 votes)

    #15 - I Was Just Passing

    S1:E14/22/2019

    Halifax, 1832. Anne Lister returns from Hastings to Shibden Hall, having discovered that her would-be companion and lover, the aristocratic Vere Hobart, has accepted a marriage proposal from a man. Despite her affection for her elderly aunt, Anne is frustrated by the shabbiness of her ancestral home and finds her father and long-suffering sister difficult to live with.

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    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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16. 

    6.8/10(6 votes)

    #16 - Surprise

    S1:E26/5/2011

    Rachel's personal life gets even more complicated when she reveals to Nick that she is pregnant. At work, the team face a particularly gruesome case - a mother of two has been brutally raped and left to bleed to death in the boot of her car. A sharp piece of detective work from Rachel leads to teenager Luke Farrell being charged, but horrific events start to unravel as a result of his arrest. Janet steps up her investigation into her childhood friend Veronica's death and meets up with an officer who investigated the murder.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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17. 

    6.6/10(10 votes)

    #17 - Faith Is All

    S2:E14/25/2022

    Yorkshire, 1834. A month on from their private marriage ceremony, Ann Walker remains in York under the care of her doctor while Anne Lister, with fresh financial confidence and entrepreneurial vigour, renovates Shibden Hall in preparation for her wife to move in.

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    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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18. 

    6.1/10(10 votes)

    #18 - I Can Be as a Meteor in Your Life

    S2:E65/30/2022

    In the face of a campaign to destroy their relationship, serious cracks are appearing in Anne Lister and Ann Walker’s marriage.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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19. 

    6.0/10(8 votes)

    #19 - What's All That Got to Do with Jesus Though?

    S2:E76/6/2022

    Ann Walker’s determination to divide the family estate angers Captain Sutherland, who is increasingly disturbed by Anne Lister’s involvement with his sister-in-law.

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    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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20. 

    6.0/10(10 votes)

    #20 - A Lucky and Narrow Escape

    S2:E55/23/2022

    Halifax is smashed to pieces by a mob hungry for political change. It’s a dangerous time to be a Tory – and a lesbian – but Anne Lister refuses to keep a low profile.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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21. 

    5.8/10(9 votes)

    #21 - Don't Call Me "Nelly"

    S1:E13/29/2024

    England, 1705: Nell Jackson's supernatural fighting skills stir up trouble on her return from war.

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    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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22. 

    5.3/10(3 votes)

    #22 - A Private Joke with the Queen

    S1:E33/29/2024

    Poynton's dark magic catches up with Nell. One of her sisters is dangerously wounded in the escape.

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    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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23. 

    5.3/10(3 votes)

    #23 - Devil's Dung

    S1:E43/29/2024

    Nell risks capture to find a doctor, and the gang receive help from some unlikely sources.

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    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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24. 

    5.3/10(3 votes)

    #24 - Excuse Me, I'm a Doctor

    S1:E53/29/2024

    Nell goes to Newgate Prison to try and rescue Devereux, and Roxy and George meet their Uncle Jack.

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    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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25. 

    4.2/10(4 votes)

    #25 - Tracks Less Well Trod

    S1:E23/29/2024

    On the run from the law, Nell, Roxy and George turn to highway robbery to survive.

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    Writer:Sally Wainwright

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