Politician Michael Murray's life entwines with headmaster Jim Nelson's, changing their trajectories when their paths cross unexpectedly.
Writer:
Awards:
- 5 wins & 7 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Series Cast Summary
| Robert Lindsay | ... |
Michael Murray
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Michael Palin | ... |
Jim Nelson
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Dearbhla Molloy | ... |
Laura Nelson
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Alan Igbon | ... |
Teddy
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Andrew Schofield | ... |
Peter
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Philip Whitchurch | ... |
Franky Murray
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Julie Walters | ... |
Mrs. Murray
(7 episodes, 1991)
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Paul Oldham | ... |
Joey Thug
(7 episodes, 1991)
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Tom Georgeson | ... |
Lou Barnes
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Chris Hargreaves | ... |
Scrawny Thug
(7 episodes, 1991)
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Gary Mavers | ... |
Billy Thug
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Wayne Foskett | ... |
Macker Thug
(7 episodes, 1991)
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Karl Barry | ... |
Fifth Thug
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Paul Daneman | ... |
Mervyn Sloan
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Peter-Hugo Daly | ... |
Bubbles
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Jane Danson | ... |
Eileen Critchley
(7 episodes, 1991)
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| Lindsay Duncan | ... |
Barbara Douglas
(6 episodes, 1991)
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Edward Mallon | ... |
Mark Nelson
(6 episodes, 1991)
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Hayley Fairclough | ... |
Jessica Nelson
(6 episodes, 1991)
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| Michael Angelis | ... |
Martin Niarchos
(6 episodes, 1991)
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| Anna Friel | ... |
Susan Nelson
(6 episodes, 1991)
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David Ross | ... |
Mr Weller
(6 episodes, 1991)
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| Jimmy Mulville | ... |
Researcher
(6 episodes, 1991)
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| Stephen Hoyle | ... |
Young Michael Murray
(6 episodes, 1991)
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| Bill Stewart | ... |
Geoff
(5 episodes, 1991)
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Gareth Tudor Price | ... |
Richard Grenville
(5 episodes, 1991)
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Michelle Atkinson | ... |
Young Barbara
(5 episodes, 1991)
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| John Henshaw | ... |
Minder 1
(4 episodes, 1991)
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Al Brierley | ... |
Minder 2
(4 episodes, 1991)
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Sean Naughton | ... |
Minder 3
(4 episodes, 1991)
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| Paul Butterworth | ... |
Terry - Director of Education
(4 episodes, 1991)
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Ayesa Toure | ... |
Monica
(4 episodes, 1991)
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| Julia St John | ... |
Diane Niarchos
(4 episodes, 1991)
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| Clifford Rose | ... |
Judge Critchley
(4 episodes, 1991)
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Colin Douglas | ... |
Frank Twist
(4 episodes, 1991)
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Ian Hartley | ... |
Joel
(4 episodes, 1991)
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Christopher Halliday | ... |
McKenzie
(4 episodes, 1991)
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| Daniel Massey | ... |
Grosvenor
(3 episodes, 1991)
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Judith Barker | ... |
Margie
(3 episodes, 1991)
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Kelvin Jordon | ... |
Tommy
(3 episodes, 1991)
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Paula Bartlett | ... |
Rachel
(3 episodes, 1991)
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Michael Fernandez | ... |
Jake
(3 episodes, 1991)
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Debra Gillett | ... |
Sylvia
(3 episodes, 1991)
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| John Shrapnel | ... |
Dr Jacobs
(3 episodes, 1991)
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Norman Mills | ... |
Red Neck Councillor
(3 episodes, 1991)
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| Peter Armitage | ... |
Mr Burns
(3 episodes, 1991)
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Arthur Spreckley | ... |
Grandfather Burns
(3 episodes, 1991)
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| Jean Anderson | ... |
Dr. Goldup
(3 episodes, 1991)
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Rachel Laurence | ... |
Hotel Receptionist
(3 episodes, 1991)
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| William Franklyn | ... |
Distinguished Gent
(3 episodes, 1991)
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See full cast and crew »
Production Companies
Distributors
- Channel 4 Television Corporation (1991) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Virgin Vision (1991) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Film Wheels Ltd. (transport)
- Lynne Kirwin Associates (publicity)
- Mendoza Productions (titles designed by)
- Oldham Theatre Workshop (schoolchildren)
- The Optical Partnership (optical effects)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Michael Murray is an ambitious and charismatic politician, Jim Nelson is a much loved headmaster of a local school for disturbed children. When the paths of these two men cross, things are destined never to be the same again for either of them. |
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| Taglines | A savage indictment of power. See more » |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Although no name is given to the fictional city in which this show was set, it was filmed largely in and around Greater Manchester. However, speculation that the city is intended to be Liverpool stems from the fact that the character of Michael Murray is a thinly veiled characterization of Derek Hatton, the former Labour deputy leader of Liverpool City Council. Hatton achieved notoriety in the 1980s when he refused to co-operate with the rate-capping policy of the Conservative government and was a strong follower of Trotskyist Militant Tendencies. Hatton was expelled from the Labour Party in 1986, and in 1993 he was accused of corruption during his time as Deputy Leader of the Council. He was brought to trial, but was exonerated. After the first episode was aired, Channel 4 declined to provide preview tapes of the remaining instalments to Merseyside Police, who were concerned the programme could affect Hatton's court case regarding corruption. Alan Bleasdale downplayed the connection, leading Hatton to comment, "the only person in the world who does not seem to think that Michael Murray is me, is Alan Bleasdale". See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Episode dated 22 June 1991 (1991). See more » |
| Quotes |
[a Doctor Who convention is taking place in the hotel. A man dressed as a Dalek is following a woman dressed as Doctor Who's assistant Jo Grant towards her bedroom]
Dalek: [Dalek voice] Foooooooooornicate! Foooooooooornicate! See more » |