Brookside returns to UK screens after 20 years off air.
The iconic Liverpool soap is streamed by Scottish TV channel STV, but the channel can be viewed by anyone living in the UK.
Set in Liverpool, the soap tells the lives of characters who live in 13 houses on a cul-de-sac called Brookside Close.
To encourage! Brookside returns to UK screens after 20 years off air
The show will be shown from the beginning, news that will no doubt resonate with nostalgic soap fans who saw the show when it first aired in the 1980s.
The first 10 episodes will be added to STV Plater on 1 February, and five episodes per week will be available from then on.
Brookside originally aired on Channel 4’s first day of broadcast on 2 November 1982 and was an instant hit with viewers.
Fan favorites include Bobby and Sheila and Grant, played by Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston.
The show launched the careers of many industry heavyweights, including Anna Friel, Amanda Burton and Claire Sweeney.
The allowances! Fan favorites include Bobby and Sheila and Grant, played by Ricky Tomlinson and Sue Johnston
Before re-issuing old episodes, they were remastered by Lime Pictures, the company that originally made the show when it was still known as Mersey Television.
A spokesperson said: “Brookside is a program presented with great love at Lime Pictures. Its strong social conscience coupled with a powerhouse of Northern acting talent and writers made it an unmissable viewing experience and set a model for storytelling that has stood the test of time.
“We are delighted that audiences can revisit, or enjoy investing in, this era of ground-breaking television that put Liverpool on the television landscape.”
The soap, created by Sir Philip Redmond, creator of Grange Hill and Hollyoaks, and produced by his company, attracted millions of viewers.
Shooting for the stars: The show launched the careers of many industry heavyweights, including Anna Friel, Amanda Burton and Claire Sweeney (pictured left)
At its peak, the show drew an audience of nine million viewers before it was closed on November 4, 2003.
Sunetra Sarker said she owes the beloved soap “a lot” after taking on the role of Nisha Batra after being spotted at a bus stop at the age of 15.
The Ackley Bridge and Casualty actress added: “Had I known then that Brookside Close would be the path that would lead me to my surprising and eventful career, I would never have believed it.”
“I am very happy that the STV Player Brookie is broadcasting again after all these years. I always hear fans tell me how much they still miss the show. Go stream and see how groundbreaking this Liverpool soap was all those years ago.”
During its run, the show explored issues such as LGBT+ and difficult storylines such as rape, bullying and incest.
The soap begins: Sunetra Sarker (pictured left) said she owes the beloved soap “a lot” after landing the role of Nisha Batra after being spotted at a bus stop aged 15
In 1985, the teenager Gordon Collins came out as gay to his family on the soap.
The character, played by both Mark Burgess and Nigel Crowley, became the first openly gay character in a British television series when the episode aired.
Brookside also featured the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss in British history between characters Beth Jordache, played by Anna Friel, and Margaret Clemence, played by future Emmerdale actress Nicola Stephenson.
Anna’s career took her to America, where she appeared in the comedy series Pushing Daisies, opposite Susan Sarandon in the country music drama Monarch, and opposite Bradley Cooper in the film Limitless.
Career: Anna’s career took her to America, where she appeared in the comedy series Pushing Daisies, opposite Susan Sarandon in country music drama Monarch, and opposite Bradley Cooper in the film Limitless (pictured in Broken).
Silent Witness actress Amanda, Hollyoaks actress Alex Fletcher and West End musical star Claire Sweeney also launched their soap careers.
The soap, currently partially available on All 4, was brought to STV following an agreement with distributor All3Media International.
Richard Williams, STV’s General Manager Digital, said: “It may be two decades since Brookside came to an end, but the passionate fans’ love for the show has never waned.
“We’re delighted to be the first streaming service to bring this iconic piece of TV history back to viewers’ living rooms for free, and I hope that superfans and new viewers alike enjoy the nostalgic drama that Brookside brings to STV.” player must bid. “.’
Brookside will release the first 10 episodes on February 1 on STV Player, followed by five new episodes each week.
Source: Daily Mail
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
