Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Ann Aris | ... | Nita Valerie (as Anne Aris) |
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Lynda Baron | ... | Violet Carson |
Steven Berkoff | ... | Sidney Bernstein | |
David Dawson | ... | Tony Warren | |
Sophia Di Martino | ... | Josie Scott | |
Shaun Dooley | ... | Derek Bennett | |
Henry Goodman | ... | Cecil Bernstein | |
Michelle Holmes | ... | Brenda | |
Jane Horrocks | ... | Margaret Morris | |
Celia Imrie | ... | Doris Speed | |
Christian McKay | ... | Harry Elton | |
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Tara Moran | ... | Edna Walker |
Phoebe Nicholls | ... | Mrs Simpson | |
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Malcolm Raeburn | ... | Board Member |
James Roache | ... | William Roache |
In 1960 a former child actor with writing ambitions,Mancunian Tony Warren begins submitting television scripts for 'Shadow Squad' to progressive Canadian producer Harry Elton,who wants to nurture local talent. Tony,however,is keen to sell a drama he has written about real Northerners,called 'Florizel Street',after a picture of Prince Florizel in his office. Harry is supportive but Granada studio boss Sidney Bernstein is lukewarm,feeling it is seedy and unglamorous. Fortunately his brother Cecil sees the virtue in cheaply made studio drama with local actors and,with writer Harry Kershaw and director Derek Bennett on board,the street's residents are cast. Thirteen episodes are commissioned but the pivotal character of battle-axe Ena Sharples is proving impossible to cast until Tony brings in a cantankerous old actress from his radio days - Violet Carson. She is perfect. Less perfect is the title,which the tea lady says sounds like disinfectant. A new title must be found quickly - and so... Written by don @ minifie-1
I have watched this drama many times and it never gets old. I love the way it sets the scene straight away of 1960 Manchester and the excitement of new regional TV. The performances are superb all round and the characters we knew and loved so well reappear before our very eyes. The build up to the series finally getting approval for it's initial run was wonderfully tense even though we knew the outcome. Great entertainment. I look forward to watching it again.