"The Lakes" (1997) TV series 1997-1999

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Creator:

Jimmy McGovern

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

14 September 1997 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Danny Kavanagh leaves Liverpool for the Lake District, finding work at a hotel and love with a local girl named Emma...

Plot Keywords:

Community | Outsider | Lake District | Gambler | TV

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

John Simm	...	Danny Kavanagh (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
Elizabeth Bennett	...	Mrs. Archer / ... (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
Charles Dale	...	Chef (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
Mary Jo Randle	...	Bernie Quinlan (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
Kaye Wragg	...	Lucy Archer (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
Robert Pugh	...	Father Matthew (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
James Thornton	...	Pete Quinlan (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
Samantha Seager	...	Julie (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
Robin Laing	...	Joey (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
Kevin Doyle	...	John Fisher / ... (13 episodes, 1997-1999)
Matt Bardock	...	Albie (13 episodes, 1997-1999)
Elizabeth Rider	...	Sheila Thwaite (13 episodes, 1997-1999)
Emma Cunniffe	...	Emma Kavanagh / ... (13 episodes, 1997-1999)
Paul Copley	...	Peter Quinlan (13 episodes, 1997-1999)
Tony Rohr	...	Grandad (13 episodes, 1997-1999)
Nicholas Day	...	Mr. Archer / ... (13 episodes, 1997-1999)
Clare Holman	...	Simone Fisher / ... (11 episodes, 1997-1999)
Lee Oakes	...	Tharmy (11 episodes, 1997-1999)
Elizabeth Berrington	...	Ruth (11 episodes, 1997-1999)
Jessica Perry	...	Annie Quinlan (11 episodes, 1997-1999)
Barbara Wilshere	...	Dr. Sarah Kilbride / ... (10 episodes, 1997-1999)
Bob Mason	...	Sergeant Slater / ... (10 episodes, 1997-1999)
Marshall Lancaster	...	Ged Hodgson (8 episodes, 1997-1999)
Annabelle Apsion	...	Beverly (8 episodes, 1999)
Amanda Mealing	...	Jo Jo Spiers (7 episodes, 1999)

Runtime:

237 min (4 parts) | 374 min (10 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo | Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Cumbria, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

References "Star Trek" (1966)

Unnecessary Sequel

The Lakes was a typically powerful piece of Jimmy McGovern-written television, with many memorable images and characters who will live in the mind for a long time.

This second series was, frankly, quite unnecessary. There was a sense at the beginning that some storylines and characters were going to have to be contrived in order to wring more out of the situation and it teeters dangerously on the edge of becoming soapy.

However, Jimmy McGovern is still an extraordinary writer (though someone else wrote some of the episodes) and the second series is very well directed and acted, so still compulsive stuff - I just prefer to think this story finished after the first series.

I hope that credibility is not stretched any further and this portrait will end with this one.