The BBC drama 'Our Friends in the North,' originally broadcast in 1996, continues to attract viewers on BBC iPlayer, with a cast that includes future James Bond star Daniel Craig in his breakout role, alongside Christopher Eccleston, Gina McKee, and Mark Strong.
A Landmark Series with a Starry Line-Up
Written by Peter Flannery, the nine-episode series aired on BBC Two in early 1996. It follows the lives of four friends from Newcastle upon Tyne across 31 years, from 1964 to 1995, interweaving their personal stories with major British political and social events such as general elections, police corruption, and the 1984 miners' strike.
The series has been hailed as one of the 'most successful BBC dramas of the 1990s' by sources including Wikipedia, The Daily Telegraph, and the BBC itself. It also features in Radio Times' list of the 'Best BBC shows: All the best dramas on BBC iPlayer.'
Critical Acclaim and Viewer Praise
On IMDb, viewers have shared high praise. One user called it a 'landmark British series,' noting that writer Peter Flannery spent 15 years getting the series made, and that BBC2 allocated its entire drama budget for the year to produce it. 'However, it was a fine investment,' the viewer added.
Another described it as 'a real tour de force of British television,' praising its 'long, dark, gritty, dialogue-heavy' narrative and the beautiful interplay of characters' stories. 'The writing is second to none,' they said, adding, 'Just watch it. It's perfect TV.'
Available Now on BBC iPlayer
'Our Friends in the North' is currently available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer, offering new audiences the chance to experience a drama that helped launch the careers of its leading actors and remains a benchmark for British television storytelling.
