 In 1975, McKern made his first appearance in the role that would make him a household name as an actor, Horace Rumpole, whom he played in "Rumpole of the Bailey", originally an episode of the BBC's "Play for Today".A series of the same name, comprising 44 episodes, was produced for ITV between 1978 and 1992.According to Rumpole's creator, author John Mortimer, McKern "not only played the character Rumpole—he added to it, brightened it and brought it fully to life."