Daniel Craig's breakout role in the BBC drama 'Our Friends in the North' has been hailed as 'one of the finest' series ever made, with audiences around the world rewatching it multiple times. The nine-part serial, which first aired on BBC Two in early 1996, follows four friends from Newcastle upon Tyne across three turbulent decades from 1964 to 1995.
Cast and Storyline
Written by Peter Flannery, the series stars Daniel Craig, Christopher Eccleston, Gina McKee, and Mark Strong. It tells the story of Nicky, Mary, Tosker, and Geordie, whose lives intertwine against the backdrop of Britain's political and social change. The series touches on real events such as the miners' strike, corruption scandals, and the Great Storm of 1987.
Craig's performance as Geordie has since been recognized as his breakout role, bringing him to the attention of producer Barbara Broccoli, who later cast him as James Bond.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
The series was met with huge critical acclaim, winning multiple BAFTAs and Royal Television Society awards. The Guardian ranked it as the third greatest British television drama of all time. The British Film Institute named it one of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes of the 20th century, while The Daily Telegraph hailed it as 'a production where all worked to serve a writer's vision'.
Audience Reviews
One reviewer said: 'I watched this excellent series when it was first shown. I'm watching it again now and it's as good as I remember. The cast are brilliant and it's so well written, with characters you really care about and a gritty storyline that takes you on a journey through Britain's cultural and political past - the good, the bad and the ugly.'
Another added: 'It's one of the finest series ever made by the BBC. Daniel Craig is outstanding in his breakthrough role. The series has to be watched.' A third person wrote: 'This was truly landmark TV with the BBC doing what it does best. A moving and thought provoking series that looked at some of the grittier points of modern Britain's history and the often neglected North.'
A fourth review said: 'Daniel Craig truly shines in this BBC masterpiece. I missed it when it first came out, but watched it recently and it blew me away.'
Where to Watch
'Our Friends in the North' is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
