Holding On (1997– )

A complex, moving story of life in the big bad city, in this case London. The tragic, senseless, futile murder of a beautiful young woman, just embarking on her journey through life, acts ... See full summary »

Stars:

David Morrissey, Saira Todd, Phil Daniels

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
David Morrissey	...	Shaun (8 episodes, 1997)
Saira Todd	...	Claire (8 episodes, 1997)
Phil Daniels	...	Gary Rickey (8 episodes, 1997)
Ace Bhatti	...	Zahid (8 episodes, 1997)
Ellen Thomas	...	Florrie (8 episodes, 1997)
Freddie Annobil-Dodoo	...	Marcus (8 episodes, 1997)
Diane Parish	...	Janet (7 episodes, 1997)
Lesley Manville	...	Hilary (7 episodes, 1997)
Sandra Voe	...	Annie (7 episodes, 1997)
Caroline Harker	...	Vicky (7 episodes, 1997)
Rachel Power	...	Helen (7 episodes, 1997)
Frances Shergold	...	Frances (7 episodes, 1997)
Sam Kelly	...	Bernard (6 episodes, 1997)
Tim Woodward	...	Ken (6 episodes, 1997)
Treva Etienne	...	Lloyd (6 episodes, 1997)
Tilly Vosburgh	...	Gabby (6 episodes, 1997)
Ruth Sheen	...	Alice (5 episodes, 1997)
Jeillo Edwards	...	Aunt Gaynor (5 episodes, 1997)
Gabriel Woodward	...	Sam (5 episodes, 1997)
Sean Gallagher	...	Alan (4 episodes, 1997)
Annette Badland	...	Brenda (4 episodes, 1997)
Razaaq Adoti	...	Chris (4 episodes, 1997)
Badi Uzzaman	...	Shahid (4 episodes, 1997)
Paul Jesson	...	Lake (4 episodes, 1997)
Gabrielle Jourdan	...	Jemma (4 episodes, 1997)
Andrew Rajan	...	Hafiz (4 episodes, 1997)
Robert Morgan	...	Shaw (4 episodes, 1997)
Jack Beazley	...	Darren (4 episodes, 1997)
May Woodward	...	Chelsea (4 episodes, 1997)
Ellie Shergold	...	Page (4 episodes, 1997)
David Calder	...	Werner (3 episodes, 1997)
Joe Dixon	...	Eylot (3 episodes, 1997)
John Light	...	Kurt (3 episodes, 1997)
David Allister	...	Psychiatric Consultant (3 episodes, 1997)
Emily Hamilton	...	Tina (2 episodes, 1997)
Jan Harvey	...	Julie (2 episodes, 1997)
Peter Gunn	...	Len (2 episodes, 1997)
Fleur Mould	...	Sally (2 episodes, 1997)
Kate Lock	...	WPC (2 episodes, 1997)
Leslie Schofield	...	Claire's Father (2 episodes, 1997)
Philip Bretherton	...	Straun (2 episodes, 1997)
David Dixon	...	Nelson (2 episodes, 1997)
Kevin Squelch	...	Carp (2 episodes, 1997)
Ian Good	...	Chef de Cuisine (2 episodes, 1997)
Peter Halliday	...	Solicitor (2 episodes, 1997)
Liza Walker	...	Sandra (2 episodes, 1997)

Storyline

A complex, moving story of life in the big bad city, in this case London. The tragic, senseless, futile murder of a beautiful young woman, just embarking on her journey through life, acts as a catalyst of change for a large and diverse group of people seemingly unconnected with this terrible event. As the ripples of change expand this group of people come under increasing pressure to face the harsh realities of their existence and turn away from the cosy fantasies they thought they knew. Some discover an inner strength that inspires them to better their lives and look to the future with hope but for others the overwhelming waves of despair and despondency push them ever nearer to the edge of the abyss. Watching it all with a jaundiced eye and a practiced put down, apparently aloof and untouched by events, is Gary Rickey, born Billy Rickey in the town of the same name, a London broad sheet food critic who doesn't seem to like food or it doesn't like him. However, even he cannot escape ...

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Plot Keywords:

murder | hope | despair | tv mini series | teen | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 September 1997 (UK)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min 55 min (8 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Gary Rickey: I'm Gary Rickey!

User Reviews

One of the best UK dramas from the past 20 years

A sprawling multi-stranded series, this programme contains some of the best acting from an ensemble cast in a UK drama, with top class writing and direction to match. Now it's finally had a DVD release it's been wonderful to find that my memory of its brilliance wasn't incorrect - it's still relevant today nearly ten years on, and also very refreshing to see London used in a way other than the usual travelogue images of Routemaster buses and Big Ben. The closest the UK has come to Altman's Short Cuts, something the series itself alludes to in the first episode, I reckon this is easily up there with some of the most classic shows from the past 20 years and I'm so pleased it still holds up well.