Privates (TV series)

Last updated

Privates
GenreDrama
Written byDamian Wayling
Directed byBryn Higgins
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes5
Production
ProducerNick Pitt
Production locationYorkshire
Running time45 minutes
Production companyTwenty Twenty Productions Ltd
Original release
Network BBC One
Release7 January (2013-01-07) 
11 January 2013 (2013-01-11)

Privates is a 2013 BBC One drama television series set in 1960 which follows the stories of eight privates who are part of the last intake of National Service, [1] and their relationships with their officers and non-commissioned officers, civilian staff and families. The series was written by Damian Wayling, directed by Bryn Higgins and produced by Nick Pitt.

Contents

The setting is the fictional North Yorkshire Regiment, although for dramatic effect the characters are from a variety of backgrounds including London, Liverpool, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Filmed in Northern Ireland, extras were provided by soldiers, wives and families of 2nd Battalion, The Rifles. Locations were Ballykinler Army Base, Tyrella Beach, South Promenade Newcastle. [2]

Cast

Character profiles

Episode list

# Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK Viewing Figures (thousands)
Sourced by BARB.
1"Episode One"Bryn HigginsDamian Wayling7 January 2013 (2013-01-07)Unknown
Lance Corporal Jimmy Hobbs proposes to his girlfriend Norah, who works in the army canteen (NAAFI), and then goes AWOL after being chased by Private Keenan. Sergeant Butcher sees a man by his motorbike on the pier, dressed in a homemade general's uniform and speaking only in the dialogue of David Niven; he is Private Lomax. Corporal Barrowman, having taken a dislike to Private Wratten, initiates a search for a 'stolen' watch and pronounces Wratten the thief. After lights out, the men deal with dislocation in their own way: Keenan writes in his journal, Hoy cries and Lomax is nowhere to be seen.
2"Episode Two"Bryn HigginsDamian Wayling8 January 2013 (2013-01-08)Unknown
Lomax fakes taking the sedative that Nurse Connie gave him and much to her surprise suddenly starts to speak like Bette Davis. Jimmy tells Norah he has a plan. Keenan apologizes to Connie for being strident about his pacifist views last time they met and asks Connie if they could talk, somewhere private. Two Section undergoes bayonet training. It's a visceral process and most do it badly. It prompts Davies to wonder if he has what it takes to be a soldier. Sergeant Butcher visits a woman at the Imperial Hotel in nearby Ravensea.
3"Episode Three"Bryn HigginsDamian Wayling9 January 2013 (2013-01-09)Unknown
Two Section is on the assault course. Barrowman tells the men that if they beat One Section's time they will get a crate of beer: if they don't, they will be peeling spuds for the regimental dinner that evening. White-Bowne tells Captain Gulliver that he is standing in the Oldham East by-election and will thus get exemption from National Service. Hobbs, waiting in an army cell after being AWOL, fears the worst. Lomax hides a wrapped package under his pillow. Keenan and Connie have dinner together.
4"Episode Four"Bryn HigginsDamian Wayling10 January 2013 (2013-01-10)Unknown
Barrowman continues training with Two Section and simulates a gas attack, during which Wrattan collapses. While the sections wait by the barrack room clock for their leave to begin, the nuclear attack warning sounds. Barrowman and Hobbs salute the impending Armageddon with a bottle of whisky. Hobbs, now slightly drunk, confronts Norah about their relationship. White-Bowne has found out that Barrowman used to be a sergeant and thinks Hobbs might know the story of why he was demoted to corporal
5"Episode Five"Bryn HigginsDamian Wayling11 January 2013 (2013-01-11)Unknown
Preparations for the Remembrance Day parade begin as a telegram arrives telling that Davies' grandfather has died, the one his family had suspected of being a coward. Captain Gulliver tells Audrey that their life will begin anew when he hands in his resignation that day. Wratten visits Barrowman in hospital and Barrowman tells his story. Keenan's curiosity about Davies' grandfather leads him to uncover the truth about the grandfather's army record. White-Bowne and Rothman appear in front of the Conservative selection panel and make their respective pitches to be the next candidate. Sergeant Butcher asks Captain Bulgakov whether Lomax is really mad or just faking it.

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References

  1. "Privates". BBC . Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  2. "Privates | TV series". Northern Ireland Screen. Retrieved 12 January 2013.