Hornblower poster
Seen it?

Hornblower

TV·1998–2003·3 seasons, 8 episodes·ITV1·Drama, War & Politics, Action & Adventure·2h·Created by C. S. Forester

Not streaming in your region — see every region's options

Set during the 18th century Napoleonic Wars, Horatio Hornblower, a young and shy midshipman, rises through the ranks to become an admiral.

Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01Hornblower S03E01LoyaltyS03E01 · 10.0Finally promoted to Captain and given command of HMS Hotspur, Hornblower is sent to France to determine the status of Napoleon's pledge of peace, but instead he discovers Napoleon's troops waiting to invade. He also begins a romantic relationship with the young Maria Mason.
  2. 02Hornblower S02E02RetributionS02E02 · 9.8Before taking the Renown back to Jamaica for their court martial on charges of mutiny, Hornblower, Kennedy, and Bush convince an insecure and indecisive Lt. Buckland, now acting captain, that it would be appropriate to launch a surprise attack on the Spanish fortress at Santo Domingo. Matters are complicated when the inept Buckland incurs the enmity of the local rebels, who now regard them as enemies too. Captain Sawyer's increasing paranoia, deserting seamen, Buckland's growing jealousy of Hornblower, and the duplicity of the Spaniards all complicate the already perilous situation.
  3. 03Hornblower S01E03The Duchess and the DevilS01E03 · 9.6Hornblower leads a daring raid on a French sloop, and is rewarded by being allowed to set sail for England.

Cast

Episodes by season

Season01Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode4Episodes1998–99Aired 9.4Season avg
  1. S01E01Hornblower S01E01The Even ChanceOctober 7, 1998 9.5In 1793, 17-year-old Horatio Hornblower begins his career in His Majesty's Navy, and must prove himself in battle when war is declared.
  2. S01E02Hornblower S01E02The Examination for LieutenantNovember 18, 1998 9.3Promoted to Acting Lieutenant, Hornblower is forced to question his readiness for command.
  3. S01E03Hornblower S01E03Season's bestThe Duchess and the DevilFebruary 24, 1999 9.6Hornblower leads a daring raid on a French sloop, and is rewarded by being allowed to set sail for England.
  4. S01E04Hornblower S01E04The Frogs and the LobstersApril 2, 1999 9.3The Admiralty endorses a daring plan to overthrow the French government.

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

Season022Episodes2002Aired 9.7Season avg
  1. S02E01Hornblower S02E01MutinyMarch 24, 2002 9.5Sir Edward Pellew visits Horatio Hornblower who is jail in Jamaica awaiting his trial on a charge of making a mutiny. His problems began six
  2. S02E02Hornblower S02E02RetributionMarch 25, 2002 9.8Before taking the Renown back to Jamaica for their court martial on charges of mutiny, Hornblower, Kennedy, and Bush convince an insecure an

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

Season032Episodes2003Aired 9.5Season avg
  1. S03E01Hornblower S03E01LoyaltyJanuary 5, 2003 10.0Finally promoted to Captain and given command of HMS Hotspur, Hornblower is sent to France to determine the status of Napoleon's pledge of p
  2. S03E02Hornblower S03E02DutyJanuary 6, 2003 9.0Soon after getting married, Hornblower is sent on a search and rescue mission for a British ship (under the command of an old friend) last r

Season 3 ranked & reviewed

Keep exploring top shows