Only Fools Horses – Episodes, Cast & Streaming Guide 2025

For more than four decades, Only Fools and Horses has held a singular place in British television history. Created and written by John Sullivan, the BBC sitcom follows the misfortunes and misplaced ambitions of the Trotter family as they try to escape the grind of working-class life in Peckham through a series of get-rich-quick schemes. The show originally aired from 1981 to 2003, producing 64 episodes across seven series and a collection of Christmas specials.

At the heart of the series are brothers Derek “Del Boy” Trotter, played by David Jason, and Rodney Trotter, portrayed by Nicholas Lyndhurst. Their dynamic — Del’s overconfident wheeler-dealer persona clashing with Rodney’s more cautious, aspirational nature — provided the emotional and comedic engine that sustained the show across more than two decades. The series remains one of the most watched and beloved programmes in British broadcasting history.

Beyond the laughs, the show offered a grounded portrait of aspiration, failure, and family loyalty. Its shift from short, punchy sitcom episodes to longer, character-driven narratives in later series allowed it to evolve without losing its core identity. For those coming to the series for the first time, or returning to revisit its best moments, understanding its scope — the cast, the episode structure, the streaming options, and its ongoing cultural life — is essential.

What Is ‘Only Fools and Horses’ About?

The series centers on the Trotter family and their dodgy business, Trotters Independent Traders, run from a council flat in Nelson Mandela House, Peckham. Del Boy, the older brother, is the eternal optimist who believes every cheap import and half-baked scheme will make them millionaires. Rodney, his younger brother, is more sensible but perpetually dragged into Del’s plans. Their grandfather (later replaced by Uncle Albert) rounds out the household.

The show is firmly a British sitcom, rooted in the comedy of social class, get-rich-quick failures, and the warmth of family bonds. John Sullivan, the sole creator and writer, drew on his own London upbringing to craft dialogue that balanced farce with genuine pathos.

Key Insights About the Series

• Only Fools and Horses is widely considered the greatest British sitcom of all time, regularly topping BBC polls.
• The show’s final episode of the original run (1996) was watched by more than 24 million viewers in the UK, a sitcom record at the time.
• The Only Fools and Horses musical adaptation began touring in 2023 and continues to draw audiences in 2025.
• A common search gap is the availability of episodes on streaming platforms; as of 2025, the show is primarily available on ITVX in the UK and BritBox in the US and Canada.
• The “Strangers on the Shore” episode (1987) is a fan favourite, featuring the Trotter brothers on a luxury cruise liner where their usual behaviour clashes spectacularly with high-class surroundings.

Fast Facts: Only Fools and Horses

Who Is in the Cast of Only Fools and Horses?

The core cast remained remarkably stable across the show’s 22-year run. David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst appeared in all 64 episodes, forming the backbone of the