"Queer as Folk" (1999) TV series

User Rating:

8.7/10   

Directors:

Sarah Harding
Charles McDougall

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

23 February 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Controversial Drama which chronicles the lives of Stuart and Vince, and also 15 year old Nathan who is in love with Stuart

Plot Keywords:

Gay | First Gay Sexual Experience | Homosexual Scene | Unrequited Love | Homosexual

Awards:

6 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Aidan Gillen	...	Stuart Alan Jones / ... (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Craig Kelly	...	Vince Tyler (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Charlie Hunnam	...	Nathan Maloney (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Denise Black	...	Hazel Tyler (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Andy Devine	...	Bernard Thomas / ... (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Caroline Pegg	...	Rosalie Cotter (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Esther Hall	...	Romey Sullivan (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Caroline O'Neill	...	Janice Maloney (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Carla Henry	...	Donna Clark (8 episodes, 1999)
Alfie Robinson	...	Baby Alfred (8 episodes, 1999)
Alison Burrows	...	Sandra Docherty (8 episodes, 1999-2000)
Antony Cotton	...	Alexander Perry (7 episodes, 1999-2000)
Saira Todd	...	Lisa Levene (7 episodes, 1999)
Ben Maguire	...	Christian Hobbs (7 episodes, 1999-2000)
Juley McCann	...	Siobhan Potter (6 episodes, 1999)
Sarah Jones	...	Suzie Smith (6 episodes, 1999)
Peter O'Brien	...	Cameron Roberts (5 episodes, 1999)

(more)

Series Directed by
Sarah Harding		(4 episodes, 1999)
Charles McDougall		(4 episodes, 1999)

Series Writing credits
Russell T. Davies		(8 episodes, 1999)

Series Produced by
Nicola Shindler	....	producer (8 episodes, 1999)
Russell T. Davies	....	co-producer (7 episodes, 1999)

Series Original Music by
Murray Gold		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Nigel Walters		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Tony Cranstoun		(4 episodes, 1999)

Series Casting by
Beverley Keogh		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Claire Kenny		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
John Collins		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Pam Tait		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Alyn Waterman	....	makeup artist (8 episodes, 1999)
Joanne Bujouves	....	assistant makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Chris Clarkson	....	post-production supervisor (8 episodes, 1999)

Series Art Department
Noel Cowell	....	stand-by props (unknown episodes)
Chris Cull	....	dressing props (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
John Crumpton	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Gary Desmond	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
John Rutherford	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes)
John Whitworth	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)
Andy Wyatt	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Simon Blackledge	....	digital compositor (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Randy Butcher	....	assistant stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Andrew McDonnell	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Howard Smith	....	Steadicam operator: remote head operator (unknown episodes)
Alfie Williams	....	grip (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Neil Parker	....	colorist (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Matt Jones	....	script editor (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Carol Saunderson	....	script supervisor (unknown episodes)
Stephen Walker	....	production secretary (unknown episodes)

Distributors

• Channel 4 Television Corporation (1999) (UK) (TV)
• C1TV Entertainment Television

Other Companies

• Compuhire  computer playback

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | Netherlands:16 (edited version) | France:-12 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

ASDA, Princess Road, Hulme, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Trivia:

A follow-up, spin-off series ("Misfits") was initially commissioned by Channel 4 due to the show's success. It would have followed the characters of Hazel, Alexander and Bernard from the original series, while introducing new characters. Although Russell T. Davies developed draft scripts for four episodes and storylines for a further 22, the series was cancelled before it went into production.

Quotes:

Hazel Tyler: [on phone] Oh, and get some Weetabix
Vince Tyler: Thought your breakfast was twenty Bensons.
Hazel Tyler: It's for little Lord Fauntleroy.
Vince Tyler: I'm not shopping for him! What else does he want? Angel Delight? Party Rings? Nappies?
Hazel Tyler: And give me the big box of Surg, I've got double the laundry. It's all bed sheets, I'd forgotten how much teenage boys masturbate.
Vince Tyler: Mum!
Hazel Tyler: Stiff as a board!
Bernard: Hazel, don't wash 'em, I'll have 'em!
Hazel Tyler: Bernie said don't wash 'em, he'll have 'em
Vince Tyler: It's like an 0898 number!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Tripping the Rift: The Son Also Rises (#3.10)" (2007)

The most brilliant series ever!

I have been privileged to see this superb series on DVD, as our national TV channels have been somewhat reticent to air it. I thought it was a fascinating and realistic (to some extent) portrait of what it's like to be gay in this end of millennium Britain. But even though I'm bisexual myself, I felt that the characters sexual preferences were not the central issue. Relationships, love, coping with life's little petty annoyances & major issues was. And the acting was excellent, particularly Craig Kelly (an often under-rated actor), Denise Black and Aidan Gillen. It was a breakthrough drama as far as the portrayal of gay characters on mainstream TV is concerned. I'll admit to that. But more than anything it was a glimpse of televised fiction at its best. No one should miss it. And your (eventual) prejudices might be challenged. All TV drama should aim for similar goals, I think...