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

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Creator:

Jimmy McGovern
(more)

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:

Deceit | TV | Rural | Gambler | Sex

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)

(more)

Series Directed by
David Blair		(4 episodes, 1997)
Sallie Aprahamian		(4 episodes, 1999)
Bill Anderson		(3 episodes, 1999)
Roberto Bangura		(2 episodes, 1999)

Series Writing credits
Jimmy McGovern		(10 episodes, 1997-1999)
Joe Ainsworth		(4 episodes, 1999)
William Gaminara		(3 episodes, 1999)
Julie Rutterford		(3 episodes, 1999)

Series Produced by
Charles Pattinson	....	executive producer / executive producer: Company Television / ... (14 episodes, 1997-1999)
George Faber	....	executive producer / executive producer: Company Television (12 episodes, 1997-1999)
Matthew Bird	....	producer (10 episodes, 1999)
Alison Barnett	....	line producer (4 episodes, 1999)
Suzan Harrison	....	executive producer (4 episodes, 1999)
Lynn Horsford	....	executive producer: BBC (4 episodes, 1999)
Melanie Howard	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1997)

Series Original Music by
Nina Humphreys		(10 episodes, 1999)
Simon Boswell		(4 episodes, 1997)

Series Cinematography by
Andy Collins		(10 episodes, 1999)
Daf Hobson		(4 episodes, 1997)

Series Film Editing by
Luke Dunkley		(6 episodes, 1999)
Joe Walker		(6 episodes, 1999)
Roy Sharman		(4 episodes, 1997)
Sebastian Morrison		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Joan McCann		(5 episodes, 1999)

Series Production Design by
Robin Parker		(4 episodes, 1999)
Pat Campbell		(2 episodes, 1997)

Series Art Direction by
Dave Arrowsmith		(2 episodes, 1997)

Series Costume Design by
Hazel Pethig		(6 episodes, 1997-1999)

Series Makeup Department
Nicola Perkins	....	makeup artist (5 episodes, 1999)
Karen Z.M. Turner	....	makeup designer (4 episodes, 1999)
Joyce Dean	....	makeup designer (2 episodes, 1997)
Anna Lubbock	....	assistant makeup artist / makeup assistant (2 episodes, 1997)

Series Production Management
Mally Chung	....	unit manager (5 episodes, 1999)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alison Banks	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 1999)
Alex Bignell	....	third assistant director (5 episodes, 1999)
Robert Fabbri	....	first assistant director (4 episodes, 1999)
Jamie Hall	....	first assistant director (3 episodes, 1999)
Helen Kelley	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1997)
Amanda Neal	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 1997)
Nathalie Wragg	....	third assistant director (2 episodes, 1997)

Series Art Department
Tom Breen	....	assistant art director (5 episodes, 1999)
Jim Cleary	....	painter (5 episodes, 1999)
Dougie Lankston	....	props (5 episodes, 1999)
Peter Levy	....	construction manager (5 episodes, 1999)
Charlie Macher	....	rigger (5 episodes, 1999)
Mitch Niclas	....	stand-by props (5 episodes, 1999)
Allen J. Polley	....	property master (5 episodes, 1999)
Simon Reeves	....	carpenter (5 episodes, 1999)
Peter Rutherford	....	production buyer (5 episodes, 1999)
Warren Stickley	....	stand-by props (5 episodes, 1999)
Laura Donnelly	....	assistant art director (4 episodes, 1997)
Ray Rose	....	dressing props (4 episodes, 1999)
Ted Stickley	....	dressing props (4 episodes, 1999)
Tristan Carlisle-Kitz	....	props / stand-by props (2 episodes, 1997)
John Casey	....	stand-by props (2 episodes, 1997)
Graham Dougan	....	construction manager (2 episodes, 1997)
Bob Orr	....	prop master / property master (2 episodes, 1997)
Hazel Storey	....	prop buyer (2 episodes, 1997)
John Watt	....	stand-by chippy (2 episodes, 1997)
Anthony Szuch	....	master drapes (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Richard Manton	....	sound recordist (6 episodes, 1997-1999)
Steve Fish	....	boom operator (5 episodes, 1999)
Dave Aston	....	dubbing editor (4 episodes, 1999)
Patrick Morris	....	dubbing mixer (4 episodes, 1999)
Mik Gough	....	assistant sound recordist (2 episodes, 1997)
Paul Hamblin	....	dubbing mixer (2 episodes, 1997)
Graham Headicar	....	dubbing editor (2 episodes, 1997)
Andy Kennedy	....	dubbing editor (2 episodes, 1997)

Series Special Effects by
Tom Harris	....	special effects supervisor: Any Effects (5 episodes, 1999)

Series Visual Effects by
Evan Green-Hughes	....	visual effects / visual effects: rain (2 episodes, 1997)
Chris Lawson	....	visual effects designer (2 episodes, 1997)

Series Stunts
Nick Powell	....	stunt coordinator (3 episodes, 1997-1999)
Tom Delmar	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)
Mike Gunther	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Mike Valentine	....	underwater camera operator (7 episodes, 1997-1999)
Warren Ewen	....	electrician (5 episodes, 1999)
Chuck Finch	....	gaffer (5 episodes, 1999)
Stephen Finch	....	electrician (5 episodes, 1999)
Tommy Finch	....	electrician (5 episodes, 1999)
Lewis Foster	....	camera operator (5 episodes, 1999)
Mickey James	....	electrician (5 episodes, 1999)
Billy Merrell	....	best boy (5 episodes, 1999)
James Moss	....	focus puller (5 episodes, 1999)
Malcolm Sheehan	....	grip (5 episodes, 1999)
Martin Healey	....	best boy / gaffer (2 episodes, 1997)
Steve Lawes	....	clapper loader (2 episodes, 1997)
Andy Long	....	gaffer (2 episodes, 1997)
John Rundle	....	grip (2 episodes, 1997)
Olly Tellett	....	focus puller (2 episodes, 1997)
Robert Shacklady	....	daily focus puller (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Kate Rhodes James	....	casting advisor (2 episodes, 1997)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Philip Lester	....	wardrobe supervisor / wardrobe master (7 episodes, 1997-1999)
Sue Mewton	....	costume assistant / wardrobe assistant (7 episodes, 1997-1999)

Series Editorial Department
Russell Beeden	....	assistant editor (4 episodes, 1999)
Rosemarie Dowson	....	post-production coordinator (4 episodes, 1999)

Series Music Department
David Auty	....	music consultant (1 episode, 1997)
Alex McNutt	....	music consultant (1 episode, 1997)

Series Other crew
Kumari Salgado	....	script editor (10 episodes, 1999)
Victoria Chambers-Pike	....	script supervisor (9 episodes, 1999)
Joe Ainsworth	....	series consultant (5 episodes, 1999)
Guy Barker	....	production accountant (5 episodes, 1999)
Liza Carmel	....	assistant to producer (5 episodes, 1999)
Nicky Coats	....	assistant accountant (5 episodes, 1999)
Thomas Elgood	....	location manager (5 episodes, 1999)
Doug Green	....	diving supervisor: underwater unit (5 episodes, 1999)
Monique Mussell	....	production coordinator (5 episodes, 1999)
Jessica Robinson	....	production coordinator (5 episodes, 1999)
Anna Price	....	script associate (4 episodes, 1997)
Frances Alcock	....	script supervisor (2 episodes, 1997)
Mark Borkowski	....	publicist (2 episodes, 1997)
Margaret Graham	....	script supervisor (2 episodes, 1997)
Howard Kingston	....	production executive (2 episodes, 1997)
Beverley Lamb	....	location manager (2 episodes, 1997)
Jamie Nuttgens	....	script editor (2 episodes, 1997)
Tanya Seghatchian	....	script editor (2 episodes, 1997)
Samantha Vince	....	production coordinator (2 episodes, 1997)
Liz Williams	....	production accountant (2 episodes, 1997)
Steve Murphy	....	runner (unknown episodes)
Anthony Szuch	....	master drapes (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• Company Pictures (for) (season 2)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1997) (UK) (TV)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1999) (UK) (TV)

Special Effects

• Emergency House Special Effects

Other Companies

• ARRI Lighting Rental  light equipment

Runtime:

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

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo | Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Cumbria, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

References "Star Trek" (1966)

Naughty and nice...

I've just watched this again and the misgivings I had when I first saw it have dispelled somewhat. Following on the heels of, and attempting to continue, the first self-contained (if open-ended) saga of Danny and the residents of the small Lake District town he finds himself in might seem foolhardy and unnecessary, but the finished result proves these assumptions wrong.

True, "The Lakes 2" (as it is called on video) does stray into soap opera territory at times; some changes in certain characters behaviour does require a seismic suspension of disbelief; and some plotlines almost fall into self-parody. But, as with the first series, what pulls you into this drama and keeps your attention throughout is the incredible combination of superior acting, writing and directing.

Danny, the hero of Part One, takes more of a back seat here as the action focusses on the Hitchcockian story of the teacher who murders his philandering wife; the devout Catholic mother who sleeps with her priest; the bitch of a rich girl who gets more than she bargains for at the hands of three local rapists; and, best of all, there's Chef who, despite being run over repeatedly at the end of the last instalment, proves that he is still as nasty as ever, polluting the lives of all around him, especially his long-suffering but sluttish wife.

The Chef storyline actually provides a brilliant backdrop to the foreground drama of rape and infidelity, simply because the character is such a great creation: an immoral bull of a man who uses sex as a weapon, hates everyone around him, and who is motivated by an unrelenting vengeful streak against the (obvious) culprit who ran him down. Charles Dale plays Chef perfectly, making him one of television's most memorable and despicable characters who gets his delicious comeuppance courtesy of two very strong women and a rusty straight razor! Compare Dale's performance here with his Mr Nice Guy character in "Coronation Street" and you'll see just how good this actor is.

That's not to take anything away from the rest of the cast: they are all fine, and Bob Mason's world-weary police sergeant deserves a special mention. The team of writers and directors (including original scribe Jimmy McGovern) manage to create a seamless whole, and this is well worth watching and rewatching.

Is it as good as the original? Not quite, but if you take this as written before you sit down to watch, there are just as many enjoyable and striking things on offer here.