one; a range of intriguing women as well as men; a fascination with the organic eccentrics of a community; and playfully peculiar dialogue". The play attracted media attention, elevating his reputation in the public eye.

Clarke's first sitcom, The Misfit, was broadcast on ITV from 1970 to 1971. Ronald Fraser starred as Basil Allenby-Johnson, a character who had previously appeared in one of Clarke's scripts