South | |
---|---|
Genre | Soap opera |
Created by | Phil Redmond |
Written by | Frank Cottrell-Boyce |
Directed by | Peter Boisseau |
Starring |
|
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 2 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Alan Horrox |
Producers | Phil Redmond Peter Griffiths |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | Channel 4 |
Release | 14 March – 21 March 1988 |
Related | |
Brookside |
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.
The miniseries was created after the broadcast of another Brookside spin-off titled Damon and Debbie . Unlike the main show, South was recorded on film rather than videotape which gave it a different visual style. Brookside also used music composed in-house but South features prominent popular music. New characters were created to appear in the story and British singer Morrissey also makes a cameo appearance. A press screening event was held in London to promote the show. It was broadcast across two Monday morning slots during March 1988. South was not as well received as its predecessor Damon and Debbie and did not garner its high ratings.
A miniseries focussing on the difficulties facing young people in the British city London during the 1980s. South primarily follows Jamie and Tracy's adventure as they face unemployment and inadequate living conditions in the city. [1] [2]
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Part One" | Peter Boisseau | Frank Cottrell-Boyce | 14 March 1988 | |
Jazz tempts Tracy and Jamie to go to London with the promise of work at her club. They travel by coach and witness London's famous sights. Jamie has his wallet stolen and they discover Jazz's club has been demolished. Tracy witnesses young homeless people and begins to regret coming to London. They go to Jazz's home, where Santa informs them she Jazz left without paying her rent. Tracy Fitt takes pity on them and allows them to stay but the house is in poor condition. Tracy gets to know her housemate Louanne, who works as a cat-o-gram. Santa takes Jamie to a job agency where Vinny finds them work pot washing. | |||||
2 | "Part Two" | Peter Boisseau | Frank Cottrell Boyce | 21 March 1988 | |
Jamie accompanies Santa working on a building site. When an accident occurs, Jamie defends Santa and gets into an argument with the foreman and is sacked. Tracy is star-struck when she meets the singer Morrissey. Louanne takes her along to one of her jobs and to a nightclub. Tracy begins to warm to her new lifestyle. Vinny refuses to give Jamie anymore work and Santa abandons him. Vinny tells Jamie the harsh reality of working life and convinces him to return to Liverpool. All the housemates are evicted and their belongings thrown into the street. Jamie tries to convince Tracy to return home. They board a train home together but Tracy changes her mind and walks off into the London city centre alone. |
On 21 November 1987, Roy West from the Liverpool Echo announced the commission of South. [3] Another Brookside spin-off series titled Damon and Debbie had finished airing on Channel 4 three days prior to the announcement. [3] That series proved successful with high ratings and Mersey Television bosses were keen to launch more. The shows were being referred to as "soap bubbles" rather than spin-offs. [3] Mersey Television partnered with Thames Television to create the series and worked with Channel 4's educatory series The English Programme. [3] [1] The series was aimed at a demographic of ages thirteen to eighteen year olds. [4] South was pitched by Brookside's creator Phil Redmond, who thought it would be a good story to explore the north–south divide in England. West revealed that South would focus on Brookside's established characters Tracy Corkhill (Justine Kerrigan) and Jamie Henderson (Sean McKee). [3] Redmond noted that people had a perception that London "fantastic" and northern England was "doom and gloom". He wanted to change this view and show nationwide issues. He also wanted to get young people talking about the series. He explained "the problems these kids face are subtle and complex and I want them to talk about things." [4]
Redmond revealed that the production would enter filming in January 1988, with a scheduled release date of March 1988. [3] Redmond and Peter Griffiths took on the roles of producers. Both episodes were written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Peter Boisseau was hired to direct both episodes. South was developed to consist of two thirty-minute episodes. [1] The co-production worked with Mersey Television supplying actors, writers and extra cast with Thames Television providing film crews and technical back-up. [5]
It was decided that South's stories would run parallel to Brookside's. Tracy and Jamie's South plot corresponds from the point they leave Liverpool in an episode of Brookside and later resumes upon their return. [6] Redmond had also chosen to create the spin-off around two of its well known characters. [1] Tracy was already established as controversial teen character. Redmond previously had to defend Tracy and Jamie's safe-sex storyline featured in Brookside, to the British regulatory body, Independent Broadcasting Authority. [7]
In 1988, Ken Irwin ( Daily Mirror ) publicised details about South, announcing that Tracy and Jamie would take on the role of "two unemployed youngsters looking for work and adventure" in London. [2] McKee told Irwin that "Jamie and Tracy come to London in search of a new life together, thinking the streets are paved with gold." [2] McKee noted the realism of the story and understood his character from his own experiences of unemployment living in London. [2] McKee worked shifts pot washing and on a building site with poor safety, which Jamie experiences in South. [4] He also hoped South would not deter viewers from similar lifestyle changes like Jamie does, but wanted them to make a more informed decision. [4] Griffiths revealed that some themes were unemployment and poor living condition. He claimed that South would be a "hard-hitting drama" exploring the "urgent issues" teenagers faced during 1980s Britain. [2] Kerrigan revealed that working on South "really thought me a great deal about the problems of being alone and homelessness." [8]
Writers created a host of new characters for Tracy and Jamie to interact with. These included Jazz (Caroline Strong) who is an old friend of Jamie, Jazz's ex-housemates Santa (Joseph Crilly), Tracy Fitt (Sharon Fryer) and Louanne (Faith Tingle), who works as a cat-o-gram. [1] Also added was a job agency worker, Vinny (Frank Vincent) whose character was used to accentuate the lack of employment opportunities for young people. [1] Fryer revealed that Tracy Fitt is a "small part" in the series. She described Tracy as a single mother living in a squat and stated she was "dead chuffed" to get the role. Fyrer also claimed there was a possibility of the new characters crossing-over into the main Brookside series. [9] McKee revealed that Tracy would strike up a friendship with Louanne while visiting nightclubs, but Jamie would struggle to adapt to the London lifestyle. [10] British singer Morrissey was hired to make a cameo appearance in a scene also featuring Tracy. [11] South included popular music from the era including tracks by Aztec Camera and Pet Shop Boys. This was a first as Brookside only used in-house music composed by Mersey Television Head of Music, Steve Wright. [6]
Filming took place as planned in January and February 1988 and took six weeks to complete. [2] [12] Filming took place on location in London. [5] South was filmed on film which was a departure from videotape which was used for Brookside and Damon and Debbie. This removed the "raw" effects achieved while filming the latter to give South a different style. [6]
During an interview with author Matt Jacobson, Kerrigan revealed the crew of Thames Television made Kerrigan and McKee feel welcome. Kerrigan said the production of South received a bigger financial budget compared to Brookside and a "real glimpse" of working for a "big television company". [13] Kerrigan had to work away from home during filming. A chauffeur was provided to transport her during location filming and the cast made use of a winnebago whilst preparing for scenes. [13] Kerrigan recalled that filming with Morrissey was memorable despite previously meeting him. [13] On filming South, Kerrigan added "I had a great time there, and it was a wrench when I had to leave to come home. But Frank Cottrell-Boyce wrote us a lovely script and it was just a pleasure. I'm so grateful for that experience." [13] McKee had previously lived in London and was glad when filming had finished and he had returned to Liverpool. [5]
In a 1988 interview with NME, Morrissey revealed that he had "three or four lines" of dialogue during filming. He was required to attend in "normal costume" and filmed his cameo in the Capital London building foyer. Morrissey branded his acting as "incredibly duff" and would most probably "be edited down" during post-production. [6] He also described his acting as "compulsive non-viewing , essentially kettle-on-time." [14]
To promote South, Channel 4 held a press screening event in London. These were complete with invitations and running orders featuring photographs of McKee and Kerrigan. She recalled being in awe of the event and believed it boosted her confidence professionally. [13] "Part One" of South was first broadcast on Channel 4 on Monday 14 March 1988 at 10:33 AM. "Part Two" followed on Monday 21 March 1988. [15] [16] It was broadcast during the time slots reserved for programmes linked to Channel 4's educatory content made for schools. [16] On 16 May 1988, South was broadcast on TVS and ITV London in an edited hour long special episode. [17] In the Channel Islands, South was broadcast on 16 May 1988 via Channel Television in an hour-long format. [17]
South was not as well received by viewers as its predecessor, Damon and Debbie. [6] Author Graham Kibble-White later assessed that early morning time-slots prevented the episodes from gaining high ratings that could be achieved during primetime viewing. Kibble-White believed the South's reputation did not match the "quality of the producing, directing, acting or script." He added it "remains an often overlooked, but wholly worthwhile part of the Brookside stable." [6]
Kieran Fagan of the Irish Independent included the first episode in his "highlights of the week" feature. He opined that "fans will need to encouragement to abandon Gaybo on Monday morning and tune into episode one of this spin-off featuring Jamie and the unlovely but ever-so-believable Tracy". [18] A critic from the Herts and Essex Observer described it as a "hard-hitting drama" exploring the "more urgent social issues of contemporary teenagers." [19] Tim Oglethorpe from Birmingham Mail branded the series a "powerful hard-hitting drama" which "aims to explore some of the issues today's teenagers face." [20] Their colleague Graham Young included South in his "TV Highlights" feature but criticised it for being in the same "mould as the disappointingly thin Damon and Debbie." [21]
In a critical review printed in The Stage , Ann Nugent wrote that of South was about "all that glisters not being gold." [22] She opined that it "amalgamates" the British north–south divide with the shared problems teenagers face when they leave education. Nugent praised Boisseau's directing and believed it deserved an hour long prime-time broadcast. [22] The critic further heaped praise, stating "South is a tight drama, beautifully built up frame by frame, with nothing extraneous in Peter Boisseau's direction, and with a raw honesty that forces its way into the consciousness of young people and adults alike." [22] A writer from the Reading Post called it a "gritty and realistic look at what happens when two youngsters leave depressed Liverpool and head for the horn of plenty." [4]
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.
Damon and Debbie is a three-part spin-off from the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside first broadcast in November 1987. A Mersey Television production, it was written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, directed by Bob Carlton, and produced by Colin McKeown. The series is credited as the first 'soap bubble'.
Sir Philip Redmond is an English television producer and screenwriter from Huyton, England. He is known for creating the television series Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks.
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.
Doreen Corkhill is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Kate Fitzgerald. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 27 August 1985. Doreen was introduced as part of the new Corkhill family consisting of herself, husband Billy and their two children Tracy and Rod. Doreen was portrayed as the aspiring housewife who wants to buy her own home. Billy risks financial ruin to help Doreen get her ideal home on Brookside Close. She is characterised as competitive and wants to portray a positive family image to her neighbours. She is a shopaholic and over spender, a trait writers used to get the Corkhills into debt. Her behaviour causes her family many problems, Billy begins committing fraud and robberies to fund their lifestyle.
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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.
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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.
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 which existed in the 1980s. Writers portrayed an unhappy marriage between the two, depicting them constantly arguing.