"Blackpool" (2004) TV series

Director:

Julie Anne Robinson

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

24 October 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Musical | Mystery | Romance

Plot:

Soon after local entrepreneur Ripley Holden (Morrissey) opens his arcade in his beloved home town of Blackpool, a murder investigation makes tears at the fabric of his personal and professional lives.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Arcade | Investigation | Blackpool | Drugs

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

David Morrissey	...	Ripley Holden (6 episodes, 2004)
Sarah Parish	...	Natalie Holden (6 episodes, 2004)
Thomas Morrison	...	Danny Holden (6 episodes, 2004)
David Tennant	...	D.I. Peter Carlisle (6 episodes, 2004)
Georgia Taylor	...	Shyanne Holden (6 episodes, 2004)
Steve Pemberton	...	Adrian Marr (6 episodes, 2004)
David Bradley	...	Hallworth (6 episodes, 2004)
Bryan Dick	...	D.C. Blythe (6 episodes, 2004)
Kevin Doyle	...	Steve (6 episodes, 2004)
David Hounslow	...	DCI Jim Allbright / ... (6 episodes, 2004)
Jacqueline Pilton	...	Ruth (6 episodes, 2004)
Lisa Millett	...	Hailey (6 episodes, 2004)
John Thomson	...	Terry Corlette (6 episodes, 2004)
Michelle McCaw	...	Chantelle (6 episodes, 2004)
Jim Whelan	...	Deaf Barry (5 episodes, 2004)
Connie Walker	...	Karen (4 episodes, 2004)
Joe Armstrong	...	Mark Reed (3 episodes, 2004)

Also Known As:

Viva Blackpool (USA) (new syndication title)

Runtime:

352 min (6 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:12 (parts 1, 2, 4-6) | UK:15 (part 3) | Greece:K

Filming Locations:

Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Quotes:

D.I. Peter Carlisle: Ah, Freud would say that your jokes reveal a truth buried in your subconscious.
Ripley Holden: Oh, what do you know, a copper who's read a book.
D.I. Peter Carlisle: Well, if I'd read two books, maybe I'd run an amusement arcade.
Ripley Holden: Yeah, well I wouldn't know about that. I run a family entertainment arcade.
D.I. Peter Carlisle: And I'm a crime-citizen-interface consultant.

Movie Connections:

Remade as "Viva Laughlin" (2007)

Superb Blackpool Is great

I was flicking through the channels on TV slightly bored had not a lot to do until i came across a program that was just starting. I didn't know what it was about but it was called Blackpool. It seemed pretty good nothing more than you normal melodrama and about five minutes in they burst into You Can Get It If You Really Want (Jimmy Cliff) and to my amazement i found it hugely captivating.

The musical choruses are great through out the series ranging from Gabrielle to The Clash i think that you don't have to be into musicals to appreciate the bursts of songs as they almost fall into a category of music video within the program having there own dance routines even little fantasies they help a great deal to build the plot.

Apart from the music the program takes very sinister turns that make very significant changes to the plot throughout and as the truth gradually seeps out you will begin to see darker secrets and darker changes in the characters Which after every episode had me eager for more. From watching the casino owner Ripley opening his brand new casino to have his whole world fall apart in 6 episodes will bring out many emotions but inevitably entertain you throughout.

The cast is brilliant The chemistry between David Morrisey (Ripley Holden) and David Tennant (D.I. Carlisle) they have a great passion to hate each other although will stop at nothing to get one over on the other one. Tennant however falls in love with Sarah parish (natalie Holden) and the romance between them is great along with the music you can really feel a great passion between them which on screen is captured so well the rest of the cast really pull the whole thing together and ensure a great performance on the whole.

This program is well worth a watch to anyone who enjoys being entertained. The blend of music great characters and a superb and captivating story all set on the back drop of the sunny seaside resort of Blackpool will have you wanting more.

This program gets my vote i hope it gets yours.