"Grafters" (1998) (mini)TV mini-series

Creator:

Michael Chaplin

Release Date:

27 October 1998 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

In a bitter sweet drama, two dysfunctional brothers Joe (Robson Green) and Travis Purvis (Stephen Tompkinson)...

Plot Keywords:

Brother | Builder | London England | Conflict | Love

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Robson Green	...	Joe Purvis
Stephen Tompkinson	...	Trevor Purvis
Darren Morfitt	...	Simon Purvis
David Westhead	...	Nick Costello
Lesley Vickerage	...	Viv Casey
Emily Joyce	...	Laura
Neil Stuke	...	Paul
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Belinda Allerston	...	Tina
Nikki Amuka-Bird	...	Martha (as Nicky Amuka Bird)
Patrick Baladi	...	Will
Tim Berrington	...	Clive Bannister
Ace Bhatti	...	Tom (as Ahsen Bhatti)
Heather Bleasdale	...	Lizzie
Lee Boardman	...	Andy
John Bowler	...	DCI Terry Blaine
Stephen Boxer	...	Geoff
James Buller	...	Mike
Simon Carter	...	Jeweller
Jonathan Coy	...	Richard
James Gaddas	...	Ray
Alex Giannini	...	Russell, estate agent
Andrew Hallett	...	Policeman #1
Stacy Hart	...	Becky
Terence Harvey	...	Charles Peake
Zoë Henry	...	Emma
Tyrone Huggins	...	Policeman #2
George Jackos	...	Nicky Mandrakis
Berwick Kaler	...	Uncle Alan
Joanna Kanska	...	Maddie
Lisa Kay	...	Chloe, office worker
Pauline Lynch	...	A&E Doctor
Eric Mason	...	Albert, security guard
Jane Maud	...	Rachel
Marian McLoughlin	...	Pippa
Pip Miller	...	Henry
Sarah Miller	...	Audrey
Bill Moody	...	Lorry Driver's Assistant
Carli Norris	...	Melanie
William Parker	...	Sam
Robert Perkins	...	Absestos advisor
Eva Pope	...	Janice
Melanie Ramsey	...	Cat
Julian Rivett	...	Phil
Maurice Roëves	...	Lennie
Ruby Snape	...	Blonde woman
David Spinx	...	Bailiff
David Sterne	...	Bill
Anny Tobin	...	Aunty Maureen
Joanna Van Gyseghem	...	Katrina
Richard Vanstone	...	Prison Warden
Julia West	...	Nouveau riche woman
Tracey Wilkinson	...	Karen
Katherine Wogan	...	Clare Costello
Jerome Wright	...	Custody Officer

Runtime:

54 min (9 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Coastal Productions

Very good

I've only been a fan of Robson Green's since I started watching "Wire in the Blood", so I'm playing "catch-up". Grafters is the story of two brothers and the trouble they get themselves into, mainly due to the younger brother Joe's(Robson Green)machinations. He wants his new firm, "Purvis and Purvis"(the new construction business he has started with his brother Trevor Purvis(Steven Tomkinson), to a screaming success. Trevor is not simple-minded as the viewer is led to believe, he just has a code of contact, which includes telling the truth and nothing but the truth. There is a wonderful scene as Joe, while eating baby cereal with a baby spoon. swears on the sweet smile of his nephew that he will be more honest in dealing with customers. When Trevor leaves the room, Joe quietly tells the baby that he will take the client for everything he can.

The greatest thing about this show are the characters. The characters are fleshed out as though someone was sharing with the audience, his own dysfunctional family.

Joe is a slut; he gives bored housewives some of what they are missing. Sex, basically. Then he connects with the wife of a Police Superintendent Inspector. The man is eceptionally jealous and Joe takes a construction job in London to get away

Trevor, his brother is a family man has realized that his marriage is in trouble and goes to London, taking his wife and family with him. That leaves 4 people living in an RV, one of which is a 1 year old child.

We are introduced to Lennie(Maurice Roeöves)Alan(Berwick Kaler)father and uncle. The story is same and at Alf's wake Alan and Lennie get into a fight. Alan finds out that Lennie has been "comforting" his(Alan's) wife. You can see the repeat of history with Joe and Trevor. Joe taking after his father and Trevor taking after Lennie's wife just like Alan took after their mother's.

All the characters are wonderfully fleshed out, even down to Joe's estranged daughter and ex-wife.

I do recommend this series. It has strong drama and hysterical moment of comedy.