Our Friends In The North BBC 4

[SuperFi]

Has anyone been watching ? I watched when it came out in the 90's I enjoyed it then, but love it even more now, stellar cast (Christopher Eccleston, Daniel Craig , Gina McKee,) love how it captures the changing time periods, and the characters draw you in so much , so well written, the last epps are on next week, but it is all on catch up.

Oooh thanks op, not watched it since trying to be cool in the 90s with no real clue what was going on! Will re watch.

@VaulterTech enjoy! I honestly think it's the best thing Daniel Craig has ever done (not a bond fan!).

Just started watching this! Just this week!!!

I watched it in the 1990s, and enjoyed it very much, and am enjoying it just as much now! On episode 3 so far. It's quality TV!

@WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps Quality indeed, there is so much to get your teeth into, everyone is good in it, even the minor supporting characters are memorable. Also, I can really relate to Mary in a way I couldn't when I watched in the 90's!

I've had the box set for years. Nothing comes close and I wish I could write something like it.

Geordie story is so sad though.

@pastypirate oh yes the Geordie storyline is heartbreaking, and it just feels so real.

I watched an episode the other evening; just happened to catch it on BBC4. I do remember it and agree it's very well written. Took me a while to recognise Daniel Craig though! I really enjoyed it first time round but couldn't remember much about it, so I'm glad to have the chance to see it again.

I've just watched 1-6. The rest don't appear to be on i player yet.

I didn't watch it when it came out but I do remember it being on. Everyone is bloody brilliant.

It's on Britbox, I've not seen it before so will be giving it a watch.

Found it on iplayer

Thanks that's my Saturday night sorted!!!

I watched the first episode yesterday expecting to enjoy it. Missed it the first time around. I find the casting difficult. The main cast all seem too old to be believable. Surely they are meant to be late teens young twenties. I found some of the accents a bit tortured. Going to persevere as I know how well regarded it is.

I've been rewatching it and am struck by how little has changed since the time portrayed in the story:

Labour Party central office trying to subvert the will of CLP members(watch the current Al Jezzera 3 part documentary about "The Labour Papers" ), a police force that is "institutionally ccorruption and a chill ran down my spine when the Tory candidate sacked one of the election advisors for being too right wing and he told her that in the future the Party would belong to people like him.

If I remember correctly it's a saga set over a long period of time so the cast are 'old' for the young characters but obviously become more suited as the characters themselves 'age'

It's all there isn't it. And here right now. It's a hard watch I agree x

@MissMarplesNiece yes you make an excellent point, my local authority are dodgy AF, I just think they’ve got better at covering their tracks.

It could all be lifted and set in the present time, and it would still be relevant. It's fantastic writing and acting.

Having realised it's on Britbox I watched the rest tonight, instead of waiting for it to all come on I player.

My God it was magnificent, everyone was superb. I cried at the end.

Is it on I player,

Loved this series

One of the best series I have ever watched, fantastic.

I watched in the 90s in the north east with my grandparents and my mum - my grandad was a builder and a trade unionist, and my mum a Labour Party activist, so it was particularly relevant to them.

Rewatching it now, only up to the second episode though.

Have been thinking this while rewatching, it’s very depressing isn’t it. Brilliant drama, can’t believe it’s 26 years old, only 6 bloody episodes on Iplayer though, bit annoying!

Just finished episode 3. I watched it first time round, but am enjoying it even more now. Every time I hear Don't Look Back in Anger I think of the series.

I loved it first time around and hadn't seen it since, so was worried it wouldn't live up to my memories. But I've just watched up to the end of episode 4 and it is brilliant. A fantastic script, where every scene matters, and a good supporting cast. And, of course, the four lead actors are just completely amazing - no wonder they went on to become big stars.
Now looking forward to watching the rest of it!

I loved if first time round and binged it on DVD a few months ago when I had covid. Starting again now. It really has stood the test of time.

Did anyone listen to the radio 4 dramatisation of it earlier this year? That was really good too, they added an extra episode at the end which I wasn't sure about.

I cant think of may recent BBC dramas that will stand the test of time like this one, I also love Life On Mars, Ashes to Ashes, and I think they will be watched for years to come, but they're not even that recent and these struggling to think of any others? Suppose a lot of it is a matter of personal taste though.