Brookside is a British television soap opera, set in Liverpool, England, which began on the launch night of Channel 4, 2 November 1982. It ran for 21 years until 4 November 2003. It was produced by Mersey Television and conceived by Grange Hill and Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond.
Gillian Louise Kearney is an English actress best known for her early role as Debbie McGrath in Channel 4's Liverpool-based soap opera Brookside and the spin-off mini-series Damon and Debbie, and for playing Jessica Harrison in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty, as well as Emma Barton in the ITV Yorkshire-based soap opera Emmerdale. The role of Emma gained her recognition because of character's involvement in Emmerdale’s most high-profile storylines during her three-year stint.
Lime Pictures, formerly known as Mersey Television, is a British television production company, founded by producer and writer Phil Redmond in the early 1980s. It produces drama and entertainment shows for the international market, including Hollyoaks, The Only Way is Essex, Geordie Shore and Free Rein.
Simon O'Brien is a British television actor and radio presenter, as well as a property developer, from Liverpool, England. He is known for his role in the soap opera Brookside from 1982 to 1987 and for presenting on a number of different television shows.
Barry Grant is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Paul Usher. The character debuted on-screen during the first episode of Brookside, broadcast on 2 November 1982. Barry is one of the show's original characters and the only character to appear in the first and final episodes of Brookside. Usher decided to leave Brookside in 1984, but returned the following year and remained a regular cast member until 1995. He then returned for guest stints in 1997 and 2003. Actor Joe McGann was originally cast as Barry, but when McGann failed to gain an actors equity card, producers decided to recast the role to Usher. Barry is characterised as a "hard man" and constant law breaker. Writers transformed Barry into Brookside's long-standing villainous character. Despite his hard man characterisation, Barry has a special relationship with his mother Sheila Grant. He would do anything to protect Sheila and to the extent that it created problems with his father Bobby Grant.
Frank Rogers is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Peter Christian. The character made his first on-screen appearance during the episode broadcast 1 December 1987 and remained in the show for an additional six years, being killed off in the episode aired on 5 November 1993.
Damon Grant is a fictional character in the defunct British soap opera Brookside, played by Simon O'Brien. The character was part of the initial cast, appearing from episode one in 1982 until 1987. At the time of the soap's inception, Damon was the youngest son of Bobby and Sheila Grant, with an older brother, Barry, and older sister, Karen.
Billy Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by John McArdle. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 27 August 1985. Billy was introduced as part of the show's new family, the Corkhills, consisting of Billy, his wife Doreen Corkhill and their teenage children Rod and Tracy Corkhill. Billy is characterised as the reluctant husband of Doreen, an aspiring woman who wants the Corkhills to own their own home. Her mission to present a good image for the family is marred by her secret spending which gets the family into debt. Writers explored their debt issues throughout Billy's early tenure. They portrayed him as desperate to provide, tampering with the electricity and committing fraud with the help of his brother Jimmy Corkhill.
George Edward Jackson is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Cliff Howells. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 2 February 1983. George was introduced as the brother-in-law of established character Petra Taylor, following the death of her husband, Gavin Taylor. Writers soon introduced viewers to the remainder of The Jackson family, including his wife Marie Jackson, their sons Little George Jackson, Gary Jackson and his sister-in-law Michelle Jones. George, a firefighter, is portrayed as a easygoing and unassuming.
Debbie McGrath is a fictional character in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by teenager Gillian Kearney, from 1986 to 1989. The character was Kearney's first television role, and featured in a plot line which launched both actress and character into the national consciousness.
Paul Collins is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Jim Wiggins. One of the show's original characters, Paul debuted during the episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Wiggins was cast by Brookside creator Phil Redmond and Janet Goddard. Paul is introduced as the husband of Annabelle Collins and father to Gordon Collins and Lucy Collins. Paul is characterised as an unlucky character who has been made redundant from a lucrative management role. He is forced to move to a small house on Brookside Close and change his lifestyle. Writers made him appear as a product of a different generation and an ex-army officer who had a sense of discipline instilled in him. Wiggins has described Paul as "aloof" and "conservative", which often made viewers unsympathetic to his plight.
Tracy Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Justine Kerrigan. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 10 September 1985. Tracy was introduced as part of a new family, the Corkhills, which also includes her brother Rod Corkhill and their parents Doreen Corkhill and Billy Corkhill. Kerrigan had previously appeared as a guest character, Pat in 1984. She auditioned for the role after her grandfather and actor Peter Kerrigan encouraged her. Kerrigan was aged fourteen and still attending school when she took on the role. Tracy is characterised as brash and headstrong. She has aspirations of becoming a model but settles for a hairdressing career. Kerrigan disliked Tracy's style and early persona. Tracy transformed into a more adult character over time and Kerrigan admired her newfound attitude.
Jonathan Gordon-Davies is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Steven Pinner. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 6 April 1987. Pinner was cast in the series after a period of unemployment and he credited the role as being his saviour from depression. Jonathan is characterised as an upper class solicitor from a wealthy family in London. Writers created Jonathan alongside his fiancée Laura Wright. Together they represented the young urban professionals (yuppies) of 1980/1990s British society. The two characters move into number nine Brookside Close, the house previously occupied by similar upper class character Heather Haversham. Writers created a wedding story for them, which was broadcast on 11 August 1987 and commemorated the 500th episode of Brookside. Jonathan was portrayed at odds with his interfering father-in-law Geoff Wright. He would invite himself into Jonathan's home and perform DIY home improvements to Jonathan's chagrin. His faulty repair of a light switch causes Laura to electrocute herself and fall down some stairs. The story formed Cunliffe's departure from the series after less than one year on-screen. Laura was killed off in January 1988, but writers decided to develop Jonathan's character further.
Robert "Bobby" Grant is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Ricky Tomlinson. One of the show's original characters, Bobby debuted on-screen during the show's first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Tomlinson attended a series of auditions in Liverpool after being invited by his friend Tony Scoggo. Various actors were invited back and auditioned in different groups to observe who worked well together. Bobby was cast by show creator and executive producer Phil Redmond and production team member Janet Goddard. The latter expressed her interest in Redmond meeting Tomlinson, as she believed him best suited to the role aesthetically. Tomlinson performed an improvised monologue in front of them to secure the role.
Sheila Corkhill is a fictional character from British soap opera Brookside, played by Sue Johnston. Sheila appeared in Brookside from the first episode in 1982 until the character's departure in 1990. Her most famous storyline was in 1986, when the character was attacked, raped and beaten by an unknown assailant. Everyone was a suspect, including family friend Matty Nolan. It was later revealed that the taxi driver raped Sheila.
Cyril Alan Partridge is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Dicken Ashworth. Alan appeared in the series until 18 July 1984. Ashworth was happy with his casting because he had previously been typecast in villainous roles. Alan is characterised as a "friendly type" and Ashworth relished the opportunity to play him. Writers portrayed him vastly different to other characters in the show. Alan is "scatter-brained" and an eccentric who enjoys computers, rugby and keeps a boat on his driveway. Other characters in the series view Alan as odd and find it difficult to understand his personality. Writers gave Alan enthusiastic dialogue in scenes which made him appear different to everyone else in his stories.
Petra Mary Taylor is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Alexandra Pigg. One of the show's original characters, Petra debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 23 November 1982. Brookside is set in Liverpool and Pigg is a Liverpudlian from Knotty Ash. Her casting was announced on 5 October 1982 and she spoke optimistically about joining the show. Petra is characterised as a moody typist working at an insurance office. Petra is introduced into the series alongside her husband Gavin Taylor. The Taylor's problematic marriage causes Petra's moodiness and writers scripted her transformation into a tragic character.
Annabelle Collins is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Doreen Sloane. One of the show's original characters, Annabelle debuted during the episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Annabelle is characterised as an intelligent woman who is used to a luxurious lifestyle. She is married to Paul Collins and they move into Brookside Close during the show's first episode. The move is a downsize from a big house after Paul loses a lucrative management role. Annabelle struggles to adjust to her new lifestyle but eventually becomes active in her new community. She is portrayed as generous and neighbourly, but also displays characteristics of snobbery. Writers created a difficult marriage for Annabelle and Paul.
South is a British drama miniseries created by Phil Redmond for Channel 4. It is a spin-off of the soap opera Brookside. It consists of two episodes and was first broadcast on 14 March 1988. South was produced by Thames Television with Redmond and Peter Griffiths as producers. The two 30-minute episodes were written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce and directed by Peter Boisseau. The miniseries was created to be shown as part of Channel 4's educatory series The English Programme. The premise of the series is a depiction of two teenagers moving to London to better their lives but are faced with a harsh reality. The main themes are lack of employment and inadequate living conditions for young people. It stars Justine Kerrigan as Tracy Corkhill and Sean McKee as Jamie Henderson, whose characters feature in the Brookside series.
Roger Huntington is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Rob Spendlove. One of the show's original characters, Roger debuted on-screen during the show's first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Roger is characterised as an ambitious solicitor who thinks highly of himself. He is a fitness enthusiast with an interest in DIY home improvements. These traits make him a comical figure and source of laughter for the show's other characters. His main storylines are centric to his marriage to Heather Haversham. Together they set up a home on Brookside Close and maintain careers to ascend the British social class hierarchy system. Writers portrayed an unhappy marriage between the two, depicting them constantly arguing.
