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When the Boat Comes In

  • TV Series
  • 1976–19811976–1981
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
373
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
When the Boat Comes In (1976)
DramaHistory

Set in Gallowshields on Tyneside between the 2 World Wars, this story follows the life of ex-sergeant Jack Ford and the Seaton family as they deal with the aftermath of the Great War, the Gr... Read allSet in Gallowshields on Tyneside between the 2 World Wars, this story follows the life of ex-sergeant Jack Ford and the Seaton family as they deal with the aftermath of the Great War, the Great 1920s Depression and trade union activists.Set in Gallowshields on Tyneside between the 2 World Wars, this story follows the life of ex-sergeant Jack Ford and the Seaton family as they deal with the aftermath of the Great War, the Great 1920s Depression and trade union activists.

IMDb RATING
8.5/10
373
YOUR RATING
  • Creator
    • James Mitchell
  • Stars
    • James Bolam
    • James Garbutt
    • Jean Heywood
Top credits
  • Creator
    • James Mitchell
  • Stars
    • James Bolam
    • James Garbutt
    • Jean Heywood
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 14User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 BAFTA Film Awards
      • 5 nominations total

    Episodes51

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    Photos33

    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)
    When the Boat Comes In (1976)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Bolam
    James Bolam
    • Jack Fordas Jack Ford
    48 episodes48 eps • 1976–1981
    James Garbutt
    • Bill Seatonas Bill Seaton
    39 episodes39 eps • 1976–1977
    Jean Heywood
    Jean Heywood
    • Bella Seatonas Bella Seaton
    39 episodes39 eps • 1976–1977
    John Nightingale
    • Tom Seatonas Tom Seaton
    39 episodes39 eps • 1976–1977
    Edward Wilson
    Edward Wilson
    • Billy Seatonas Billy Seaton
    35 episodes35 eps • 1976–1981
    Malcolm Terris
    Malcolm Terris
    • Matt Headleyas Matt Headley
    34 episodes34 eps • 1976–1977
    Susan Jameson
    • Jessie Seatonas Jessie Seaton…
    30 episodes30 eps • 1976–1981
    Madelaine Newton
    • Dollyas Dolly…
    30 episodes30 eps • 1976–1977
    Basil Henson
    • Sir Horatio Mannersas Sir Horatio Manners
    25 episodes25 eps • 1976–1977
    Rosalind Bailey
    • Sarah Lyttonas Sarah Lytton…
    23 episodes23 eps • 1977–1981
    Geoffrey Rose
    Geoffrey Rose
    • Arthur Ashtonas Arthur Ashton
    18 episodes18 eps • 1976–1977
    Lois Baxter
    • Lady Carolineas Lady Caroline
    15 episodes15 eps • 1977–1981
    William Fox
    • Duke of Bedlingtonas Duke of Bedlington
    13 episodes13 eps • 1976–1977
    Vernon Drake
    • Hotel Porteras Hotel Porter…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1976–1977
    Roger Avon
    • Stan Liddellas Stan Liddell…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1976–1981
    Catherine Terris
    Catherine Terris
    • Miss Laidlawas Miss Laidlaw
    7 episodes7 eps • 1976–1977
    Michelle Newell
    • Mary Seatonas Mary Seaton
    6 episodes6 eps • 1976
    Noel O'Connell
    • Young Tommyas Young Tommy…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1976–1977
    • Creator
      • James Mitchell
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    Set in Gallowshields on Tyneside between the 2 World Wars, this story follows the life of ex-sergeant Jack Ford and the Seaton family as they deal with the aftermath of the Great War, the Great 1920s Depression and trade union activists.
    north east englandpovertyworking class
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • History
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      James Bolam, who played Jack Ford, and Susan Jameson, who plays Jessie Seaton, are married in real life. They have performed together in several TV productions and plays.
    • Connections
      Referenced in What's Up Doc?: Episode #1.4 (1992)

    User reviews14

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    What does the title mean?
    Quite simply, for me , the best TV series ever. The dialect is County Durham mainly, not Tyneside. The scenes and locations totally authentic and now mainly long gone as the North East has moved into its post industrial era. The story line and acting mainly very believable and evocative of a period of our history we would be foolish and poorer to forget. This was how my grandparents lived, only they didn't open a shop. Their sons went to the second war, not the first. The independent spirit of the working people of the northeast is to a great degree intact despite the best efforts of successive Tory (including the coalition)governments to emasculate the area. And the title? I would ask my mam, could I have a certain toy or some sweets. The answer , because her purse was empty, You can have it "When the boat comes in".
    helpful•14
    0
    • pearsonfamily1973
    • Jul 14, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 8, 1976 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Cuando llega el barco
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Jean Heywood obituary
    Nov 7The Guardian - TV News
    Michael Hayes obituary
    Oct 14The Guardian - TV News

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