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Our Friends in the North

  • 1996
  • 1 season
  • Drama, War & Politics
  • 7.7

Over the course of four decades, the personal lives of a quartet of Newcastle friends—Nicky, Geordie, Mary, and Tosker—intertwine with various political machinations, often for the worse: slum housing projects, police corruption, the rise of Thatcherism, political sleaze, and specific events like the 1984 Miners' Strike.

Episodes

Over the course of four decades, the personal lives of a quartet of Newcastle friends—Nicky, Geordie, Mary, and Tosker—intertwine with various political machinations, often for the worse: slum housing projects, police corruption, the rise of Thatcherism, political sleaze, and specific events like the 1984 Miners' Strike.

9 episodes
  1. 11964

    70 minJan 15, 1996

    The year is 1964. Nick Hutchinson returns from America, where he has been involved in civil rights movements, to his parent's home in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. There he catches up with his girlfriend Mary Soulsby and his best mate Geordie Peacock. Geordie is keen that Nicky forms a band with him and his friend Tosker Cox. However, Nicky is more interested in taking part in the run-up to the 1964 General Election, helping one of his father's old friends, Eddie Wells. Mary tires of Nicky's lack of attention and becomes involved with Tosker. Geordie meanwhile gets a girl pregnant and decides to leave Newcastle for London...

  2. 21966

    70 minJan 15, 1996

    The year is 1966. Nicky is now working as Austin Donohue's PR man, but is unhappy with his work duties and Austin's ethics. Mary and Tosker are living in a hastily made tower block development built by John Edwards, a friend of Austin. Mary is unhappy in her marriage, whilst Tosker is trying his hand at a music career. Meanwhile in London, Geordie is working for Benny Barratt, a nightclub manager who also runs some sex shops. Barratt is having difficulties with the Metropolitan Police...

  3. 31967

    70 minJan 29, 1996

    The year is 1967. In Newcastle, Mary and Tosker are having further difficulties with their marriage and life in the poorly made Willow Lane flats. Whilst Nicky has become a photographer and started dating a woman called Helen Windsor. In London, Geordie has become Benny Barratt's right hand man as he expands his nightclub and porn empire. Benny is involved in various deals with corrupt Met officers to keep the police off his back. Geordie is also living dangerously as he is sleeping with Benny's girlfriend Julia...

  4. 41970

    70 minFeb 5, 1996

    The year is 1970. Tosker visits Geordie in London and is given a loan by Benny. On his return to Newcastle he buys a shop. Geordie is becoming unhappy working for Benny. Nicky is also in London where he is living with Helen and their anarchist friends. They are busy planning some terrorist activities...

  5. 51974

    70 minFeb 12, 1996

    The year is 1974. Geordie is released from prison having served a four year sentence. He tries to hunt down Benny but does not succeed in exacting his revenge. Meanwhile Nicky is back in Newcastle living with his parents. Whilst Tosker's business is becoming successful but his marriage to Mary is falling apart, especially now she that she is training to be a lawyer...

  6. 61979

    70 minFeb 19, 1996

    The year is 1979. Nicky has put himself forward as the Labour candidate in the general election but he faces tough opposition from Tory candidate Claudia Seabrook (Saskia Wickham) and her team, who intend Nicky's past actions to catch up with him. Nicky is living in the Willow Lane flats as is Geordie who has finally returned to Newcastle. Anthony, Tosker and Mary's son, is displaying behavioural difficulties whilst Tosker falls for a woman called Elaine...

  7. 71984

    70 minFeb 26, 1996

    The year is 1984. The miner's strike is in full swing and Anthony (Daniel Casey), who is now a policeman, is fully involved in the struggle. Felix has started to develop Alzheimers, whilst Nicky is working as a photographer again. Tosker is now married to Elaine and his business ventures are doing well. Mary, who is now a qualified lawyer and Deputy Leader of the council, and Nicky become close again...

  8. 81987

    70 minMar 4, 1996

    The year is 1987. Nicky and Mary are now married and living in Newcastle. However, whilst on a trip to London, Nicky has a brief affair with a young woman. Whilst there he is amazed when he bumps into Geordie, who is now living rough on the streets of London. Felix is admitted to a home. Meanwhile, Tosker and Elaine's lifestyle is under serious threat when the stock market collapses...

  9. 91995

    70 minMar 11, 1996

    The year is 1995. Tosker and Elaine are opening a nightclub boat on the Tyne. When Tosker is reunited with Geordie, who has escaped from prison, he gives him a job helping them to set up for the opening night. Nicky and Mary are now long since separated and the latter has become an MP. When Nicky's mother, Florrie, dies, the four friends are reunited once again...

Where to watch Our Friends in the North

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Series cast

Christopher EcclestonNicky Hutchinson9 episodes
Mark StrongTerry 'Tosker' Cox9 episodes
Gina McKeeMary Cox (née Soulsby)9 episodes
Daniel CraigGeordie Peacock8 episodes
Peter VaughanFelix Hutchinson8 episodes
David BradleyEddie Wells8 episodes
Freda DowieFlorrie Hutchinson7 episodes
Alun ArmstrongAustin Donohue5 episodes
Malcolm McDowellBenny Barratt5 episodes
Geoffrey HutchingsJohn Edwards4 episodes
Frank CouchmanPatrick Soulsby4 episodes
Donald SumpterCommander Harold Chapple4 episodes
Danny WebbDS Ron Conrad4 episodes
Saskia WickhamClaudia Seabrook3 episodes
Julian FellowesClaud Seabrook3 episodes
Daniel CaseyAnthony Cox3 episodes
Rod CulbertsonBede Connor3 episodes
Val McLaneRita Cox3 episodes

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