Remembering...... Our Friends in the North

[tory]

The first of a series reflecting back on TV from the era before boxsets.

I haven't watched it in a long time, but it seems that it was probably the last of the era of "6 one hour episode" dramas that the BBC seemed to specialise in. Gina McKee and Daniel Craig stand out for me - I always found Ecclestone a bit too intense and silly for some reason. A hirsute Mark Strong too, along with Alun Armstrong as the corrupt property developer. 

A great plot too - and ambitious enough to cram a lot into six episodes.

[Reactionary Rage]

I remember it being fucking excellent but never got round to watching it again since.

I always had a thing for Gina McKee too

[Deleted]

For me one of the best dramas I've seen from either side of the Atlantic. The personal and political were woven together beautifully and it was utterly convincing. I do know what you mean about Ecclestone though.

[Reactionary Rage]

Some dodgy wigs mind

[Deleted]

If you didn't know, Austin Donohue was based on the real life story of T. Dan Smith, who was the leader of Newcastle Council in the sixties and presided over the city's vast rebuilding projects (attempting to rebrand it as a "Brasilia of the North") before being imprisoned on corruption charges.

But yeah, great series. They filmed in the Sunderland neighbourhood I grew up in quite a few times. Especially around the 'garths' (brick tenement blocks that have since been demolished).

[Deleted]

Feb 26, 2020 20:54:34 GMT @rodya said:

If you didn't know, Austin Donohue was based on the real life story of T. Dan Smith, who was the leader of Newcastle Council in the sixties and presided over the city's vast rebuilding projects (attempting to rebrand it as a "Brasilia of the North") before being imprisoned on corruption charges.

And similarly the builder/architect in the series is a thinly veiled John Poulson.

[rayge]

Reggie Maudling's in there, too.