This 30-Year-Old Drama Gem With 8.6 on IMDb Is One of the Best British TV Series Ever Made
The creators vividly demonstrate how changes in the country and government mistakes directly affect ordinary working people.
In 1996, the BBC premiered a series that was an instant critical hit but then faded quickly into obscurity. Our Friends in the North is a sprawling saga that transforms three decades of British history into the chronicle of a single friendship.
Though rarely mentioned in the same breath as more famous shows, the series remains one of the best British TV projects.
What Is 'Our Friends in the North' About?
Newcastle, 1960s. Four friends – Nicky, Mary, Terry, and Geordie – are entering adulthood with different hopes: some dream of change and political struggle, others seek love, money, or a chance to escape their familiar surroundings.
Over the years, their paths diverge, yet their past brings them together again and again. Against a backdrop of elections, corruption, strikes, and crises in British society, they each navigate their own journeys from youthful illusions to disappointments and losses.
Spanning three decades, the series shows how grand political promises impact the private lives of ordinary people.
'Our Friends in the North' Is an Intimate Drama With a Grand Vision and a Brilliant Cast
Despite its grandiose premise, Our Friends in the North primarily relies on intimacy and personal drama – the characters make mistakes, betray their ideals, change their beliefs, and try to adapt to a changing world.
Over the course of nine episodes, we experience several different lives and gain a deeper understanding of British history and mentality. It explores how elections, police corruption scandals, miners' strikes, and even the Great Storm of 1987 impact ordinary people's lives.
In a perfect world, the show would have gone viral many years ago, primarily because of its young actors, who are now A-list stars: it stars Christopher Eccleston, Gina McKee, Daniel Craig, and Mark Strong, who has a lush head of hair.
Our Friends in the North was considered one of the most acclaimed British shows of the 1990s, however, it faded into oblivion rather quickly.
The series deserves attention for its historical accuracy and brilliant cast, which captures the spirit of the era with incredible precision.
What Did Viewers Think of 'Our Friends in the North'?
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On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.6/10.
Where to Watch 'Our Friends in the North'?
Our Friends in the North is available to stream on Britbox Apple TV Channel.
