Brian Murphy (actor) Murphy reprised his role in feature films of both sitcoms. Joyce died in 1980, and "George and Mildred" was cancelled. Another sitcom was created for Murphy with him in the title role in "The Incredible Mr. Tanner" along with "Man About The House" and "George and Mildred" co-star Roy Kinnear, but the show failed to gain popularity. Murphy has continued to appear regularly on television, most notably as "Alvin Smedley" in "Last of the Summer Wine" from 2003 to 2010, and also with roles in "On Your Way, Riley" (1985) as Arthur Lucan, "Lame Ducks" (as a private investigator); "The
Yootha Joyce (1972), "Never Mind the Quality Feel the Width" (1973) and "Steptoe and Son Ride Again" (1973). She also appeared as customer Mrs. Scully in the pilot episode of "Open All Hours" (1973). It was not until 1973 that she acquired a starring role, when she was cast as man-hungry Mildred Roper, wife of sub-letting landlord George, in the sitcom "Man About the House". This series, which starred Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, and Brian Murphy as George Roper, ran until 1976, deriving its comic narrative from two young women and a young man sharing the flat above the Ropers.