An A to Z of UK Television Drama

There were so many series we could have covered for ‘S’ but quite honestly it was only ever going to be the BBC’s Secret Army, after all Andy devoted four years of his life to researching and celebrating this exceptional wartime drama. Rather than trying to explore all three series and 42 episodes, in this episodes we have decided to turn our attention to the last four instalments of the nail-biting third and final series.

Those episodes are: Collaborator, in which Albert is reunited with Monique, and Reinhardt discovers that Lifeline has been running out of the Candide; Days of Judgement in which Natalie seeks to save Albert and find Monique, while Kessler goes on the run with Madeleine; Bridgehead in which Monique faces the mob and falls in love, while Van Broecken meets his tragic end; and The Execution in which Kessler tries to have Reinhardt court martialled, Lifeline helps one last person, the war comes to an end and Monique says goodbye.

We explore the set-up of the third series, key scenes, the performances of the regulars, its place in the best Saturday night line-up in history and how, more than perhaps any other series, Secret Army manages to go out on a total high.

Martin teaches us how to spell restaurateur as well. We’re just too good to you, non?

All this and Andy’s exclusive new interviews with Monique (Angela Richards), Natalie (Juliet Hammond-Hill) and Kessler himself (Clifford Rose), specifically recorded to coincide with this review of the series, which are available as separate podcast episodes.

Signed copies of Andy’s book The Complete Secret Army – a comprehensive celebration of the series, which details the behind-the-scenes story of the series creation and production, as well as all the real-life historical events that inspired its storylines – are still available for just £20. http://www.classictvpress.co.uk/completesecretarmy.htm

And all of Angela Richards wonderful songs from the series are available on a music CD entitled An Evening at Le Candide that was professionally recorded back in 2006 and costs £9.99 http://www.classictvpress.co.uk/secretarmymusic.htm

Next Time: Tenko

Our second look at the work of prolific television playwright Jack Rosenthal. This time a celebrated Granada production from January 1976 starring Jack Shepherd, Mark Wing-Davey and Joe Black: ’Ready When You Are, Mr McGill’ directed by Mike Newell. The play formed the first of 7 episodes of the 1976 anthology series Red Letter Day and concerns the all-important day in the life of TV extra Mr McGill as he finally gets lines to say in a production. However, all does not go to plan and Mr McGill ends up adding to the frustrations of the fraught film crew, and especially its director, Phil, who is dangerously close to a nervous breakdown.

Andy and Martin compare the production to its 2003 remake with Bill Nighy, Tom Courtenay and Amanda Holden, consider the lot of the TV extra, now referred to as supporting artists, and the meta nature of a TV drama about making TV drama.

Next Time: Secret Army (and especially recorded new interviews with three of its principal cast members)

While looking for a drama beginning with the letter Q, having decided to ignore that programme about that Bernard fellow, we quickly agreed that A Question of Attribution would make an excellent choice, partly as we knew it to be a celebrated and award winning drama, but also because it would be our first Alan Bennett. Oh mother!

First written and performed for the stage in 1988, this drama about the fourth member of the Cambridge Spy Ring, Sir Anthony Blunt, was adapted for television in 1991 and features James Fox as Blunt, David Calder as his interrogator Chubb, and Prunella Scales as HMQ (Her Majesty the Queen).

As well as praising Bennett's deft script and the performances of Fox, Calder and Scales, Andy and Martin discussed public access to art, the value of a 'time in Perth' clock, and the identity of the fifth member of the Cambridge Spy Ring. Step forward Lemaitre from The Reign of Terror and indeed Beta from The Krotons. Or maybe not.

It doesn't take the pair long to get into politics and the dangers of our post-truth world, in a week when Britain was set to break international law because of the self-serving idiocy of its current government. What fun!

Next Time: Ready When You Are, Mr McGill

In this episode we turn our attention to a 1995 adaptation (and for Andy’s money the best adaptation) of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. It stars Amanda Root, best known for the reboot of The Forsyte Saga, as Anne Elliot who is apparently already an ‘old maid’ at 27! Ciaran HInds (Game of Thrones’ Mance Rayder) plays dashing Captain Wentworth, whose marriage proposal Anne previously turned down due to the interference of Susan Fleetwood’s Lady Russell. Also among the sterling cast are Killing Eve’s Fiona Shaw as Mrs Croft, everyone’s favourite Marshal of Atrios, John Woodvine as Admiral Croft, Sophie Thompson as Mary Musgrove, Corin Redgrave as Sir Walter Elliot, Phoebe Nicholls as Elizabeth Elliot, and Samuel West as Mr Elliot. There are also some lovely roles for Judy Cornwell, David Collings, and Robert Glenister, and there’s not a duff performance anywhere.

Andy gives the production a ‘6’ on a new scale he has created to judge Austen adaptations: The Bonnet Scale. This by the way is good score on said scale. A 6 means its not too bonnety - not too chocolate box and hearts and flowers, it having something valuable and realistic to say about the historical period as well as being a heartwarming story of unrequited love.

It’s Martin’s first watch of this adaptation or even much of 'crisis in corsets' TV but he likes what he sees. In fact he watched it twice in preparation for this podcast. Andy is reminded of his A-Levels and studying the novel for English, but thankfully he does not read out his lengthy essay from 1989 about Louisa’s all important accident at the Cobb! Andy also reveals the reason for his lifelong hatred of Bath, where it always rains.

Talking of rain, ee also consider the importance of umbrellas in period drama. And after 31 years Andy finally discovers why the name Captain Wentworth has always sounded vaguely familiar to him. TV fans will not be disappointed.

We hope you continue to enjoy our little journey through the British television archives and to almost quote Mary Musgrove: “We’re very sorry if our podcast is insufficiently grand for you!”

Next Time: A Question of Attribution (by Alan Bennett)

Our second and concluding exploration of Peter Flannery's Tyneside-set epic Our Friends in the North. In this episode we review the final 4 episodes set between 1979 and 1995, as the trials and tribulations in the lives of the four friends are played out against the backdrop of Thatcher's victory, The Miners' Strike, The Great Storm of '87, the Stock Market Crash, and the rise of New Labour.

This time Andy and Martin analyse the political messages of the series and the development of the four protagonists, as well as reflecting on the fact that they lived through the events depicted.

As with the first part, our critique of the series compelling storylines is accompanied by the songs of the times. And include here the music of The Undertones, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Eurythmics, Pulp and Oasis.

Thanks, as ever for listening. Please do leave us a review on iTunes or get in touch with us on Twitter: @TVDramaPod.

Next Time: Persuasion

Ho'way man! It's time to gan 'yem hinny.

Andy, who grew up in the North East, first watched the series half his lifetime ago, aged 24, while Martin enjoys it for the very first time. They both agree however that 'Our Friends' is a stone-cold classic.

Because there was just too much to say about this phenomenal series we've divided our episode on Peter Flannery's epic award-winning drama about love, politics, police corruption, and housing policy, into two parts. In this first part we discuss the four leading characters: idealistic Nicky (Christopher Eccleston), long-suffering Mary (Gina McKee), troubled Geordie (Daniel Craig) and flawed dreamer Tosker (Mark Strong). We also share our favourite moments and plotlines from the first five episodes which were set between 1964 and 1974. Next time we'll cover 1979 onwards.

We don't always find this watch of Our Friends a comfortable experience with it's vivid depiction of corruption, self-serving Tories, and self-defeating Labour factionalism, all of which underline that very little has changed here in the UK. However, at the same time we absolutely revel in the series' ambition, complex characters, and intricate plotting. The soundtrack is pretty awesome too.

"I'm coming home Newcastle. You can keep yer London wine.

I'd walk the streets al day al neet, for a bottle of the River Tyne."

Next Time: Our Friends in the North - Part 2 (1979-1995)

In today’s episode we explore Nice Work, David Lodge’s award-winning 1989 drama serial for BBC2 with Warren Clarke and Haydn Gwynne. It’s the tale of two people who are suddenly exposed to new and previously alien worlds, an English Literature lecturer, Dr Robyn Penrose and factory manager, Vic Wilcox. It also speaks to the broader canvas of the late Eighties commercialisation of Universities and the collapse of old-fashioned industrial firms.

Nice Work also deliberately parodies the very Victorian novels that Penrose herself teaches her largely middle-class students about. But will our romantic leads have a happy ending? Will there be any proposals, sudden bequests, or deaths?

All this and a Jennifer Rush soundtrack, a trip to Dusseldorf, and a pleasing equality of bare bottoms.

Next Time: Our Friends in the North

A special extra episode of the podcast to celebrate us reaching the halfway point in our TV drama alphabet. We thought 'The Drammys' would be a suitable moniker for this awards-based review of everything from All Creatures Great & Small to Miss Marple. But who will win Best Writer and Best Director? Who will come away with the all-important acting gongs? And what will be crowned Best Drama so far? How much more excitement do you need in your life?

All this and Andy and Martin reflect on making the first 13 episodes of this podcast and what they have learned as a result. Good eh?!

Next Time: Nice Work

Andy and Martin appraise the classic murder mystery series Agatha Christie's Miss Marple which starred Joan Hickson and was initially produced by Guy Slater. The series saw all 12 full Miss Marple novels adapted for the small screen between 1984 and 1992.

For the purpose of this episode they turn their attention to two of their favourites: A Murder is Announced starring Ursula Howells, Samantha Bond, Simon Shepherd and John Castle, and Nemesis starring Margaret Tyzack, Peter Tilbury and Joanna Hole.

Along the way they compare the series with its later ITV counterpart and explain why they feel Joan Hickson is the quintessential Miss Marple.

Next time: Nice Work

No, not the soapy drama series that went on forever that neither Andy or Martin watched but the Jack Rosenthal-penned TV film which served as a sort of pilot and aired back in 1986. It's a tough watch given its race-based plot especially as this episode was recorded in the same week that George Floyd was murdered by police in the USA.

However, there are some lighter moments including excerpts from Rosenthal's 'Sadie, It's Cold Outside', 'The Knowledge' and one of his Coronation Street episodes from 1961. There's even a bit of Nick Berry's Every Loser Wins and David Tennant atop Alexandra Palace thrown in for good measure.

As well as examining the rampant racism and sexism of the time, and the greater public awareness of fire safety in the 80s, Andy and Martin consider what makes an ITV drama and whether this is one of Rosenthal's better works.

All this and Oscar Botcherby and a curtain ring. Yes a curtain ring Martin, not any other sort of ring! Yep, Martin makes a glorious faux pas! If you want to go straight to the 'ring' moment skip to 1 hr 04 mins. You'll be pleased you did.

Next Time: Miss Marple