"A Very Peculiar Practice" (1986) TV series 1986-1988

Writer:

Andrew Davies (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

21 May 1986 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

A surreal comedy series tracking the career of Stephen Daker, a young doctor who works for the health centre of a modern British university.

Plot Keywords:

University | Clinic | Medical

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Peter Davison	...	Dr. Stephen Daker (14 episodes, 1986-1988)
Graham Crowden	...	Dr. Jock McCannon (14 episodes, 1986-1988)
Barbara Flynn	...	Dr. Rose Marie (14 episodes, 1986-1988)
David Troughton	...	Dr. Bob Buzzard (14 episodes, 1986-1988)
Amanda Hillwood	...	Lyn Turtle / ... (8 episodes, 1986-1988)
John Bird	...	Vice Chancellor Ernest Hemmingway (7 episodes, 1986)
Lindy Whiteford	...	Maureen Gahagan (7 episodes, 1986)
Michael Shannon	...	Vice-Chancellor Jack Daniels (7 episodes, 1988)
Joanna Kanska	...	Grete Grotowska (7 episodes, 1988)

Runtime:

50 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Stereo

Filming Locations:

University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Andrew Davies originally wanted to film the series at UEA (University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK). But UEA where unhappy as to how the University would be portrayed. Instead, the exterior shots we all done at either Keele or Birmingham University.

Movie Connections:

Followed by "Screen One: A Very Polish Practice (#4.1)" (1992)

Repeated at last, hurray.

One of the very best of 1980s TV. Spot on scripts satirising Thatcher's Britain. Excellent cast too: Peter Davidson & Barbara Flynn of course, but also a young Hugh Grant making an appearance in #1.2 as a Scottish lay-preacher.

In the UK, Series 1 was shown on BBC4 recently (at close to midnight) as part of an Andrew Davies season. Hopefully we'll get series 2 again as well at some point.