Northern Lights (TV series)
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| Northern Lights | |
|---|---|
| Format | Dramedy |
| Created by | Bob Mills Jeff Pope |
| Developed by | Bob Mills Jeff Pope |
| Starring | The Armstrongs: Robson Green (Colin) Nicola Stephonson (Jackie) Linzey Cocker (Brooke) Lee Worswick (Liam) Alex Rimmer (Leyton) The Scotts: Mark Benton (Howie) Sian Reeves (Pauline) Maisie Breakenridge (Victoria) |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 8 (Incl. Pilot and 1 special) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Andy Harries Jeff Pope |
| Producer(s) | Bob Mills Jeff Pope Spencer Campbell |
| Camera setup | Multi Cameria Set-Up |
| Running time | 60 minutes (with commercials), approx 47-50 minutes (without commercials) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Original run: ITV Reruns: ITV3 |
| Picture format | Widescreen SDTV |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original run | December 21, 2004 – March 2007 |
Northern Lights is a 2006 comedy-drama broadcast on ITV starring Mark Benton and Robson Green. It is a spin-off of the 2004 Christmas special Christmas Lights.
A sequel, City Lights, was broadcast in 2007.
Contents |
[edit] Future After City Lights(Next Series)
ITV is currently filming a new production in Manchester, Lancashire and the Peak District starring housewive's favourite Robson Green. Green is reprising the role of Colin - whom he played in the well-received Christmas Lights, Northern Lights and City Lights – alongside fellow cast members Mark Benton (Howie), Nicola Stephenson (Jackie, Colin’s wife) and Sian Reeves (Howie’s wife Pauline).
The two hour Christmas Special sees Colin and Howie taking a trip to Lithuania to represent the UK in a Santa convention. The main problem with this is that miserable Howie is picked as Santa, while true Christmas believer Colin is relegated to the role of cheerleading elf.
Benton, Santa and GreenRobson, as the sole male elf in the competition, then has to hide his shame beneath a revealing mini-skirt, fraternise with the other competitors (including a randy Welsh Santa who wants to get to know the elves a little better) and still get home in time for Christmas with his family.
Benton’s Howie meanwhile has to cheer up and loose his cynicism about all things Xmas-y.
[edit] Cast
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Colin Armstrong - Robson Green The phrase 'one of the lads' was made for Colin. His perfect night would be a kick-about on the football pitch, a pint and a 'craic' with his mates and then going for some nookie with his wife Jackie. Colin would walk over hot coals for his best friend Howard, but he can't help being a little narked at his new-found success at work. He's got a bit of a chip on his shoulder about always being seen as the joker and therefore not taken seriously and so he is fiercely competitive with his mate. Very happily married, he and Jackie have three children, Brooke, Liam and Leyton.
Howard Scott - Mark Benton Howie is both dependable and loyal - a 'gentle giant' who has always been there to pick up the pieces as Colin storms through life. He and Colin share the same child-like sense of humour and silly sense of competitiveness. Howie sometimes falls under Colin's shadow but he's no pushover and is more than capable of sticking up for himself when needs be. Recently promoted to management at work, he's keen to better himself and provide the luxuries of life for his wife Pauline and baby daughter Victoria.
Jackie Armstrong - Nicola Stephenson Jackie is fiery, kind and practical. She and Colin are the type of couple you want to be – good friends who also fancy the pants off each other. Jackie is incredibly close to her sister Pauline and they enjoy living next door to each other and combining their family's lives. When Colin and Howie are daggers drawn this can lead to the sisters' diplomatic skills being stretched to extremes, but the girls always stay united despite their husbands' antics.
Pauline Scott - Sian Reeves Pauline is a little quieter than her sister and has a traditional outlook on life. She is a tower of strength to them all and incredibly protective of her brood; she would fight tooth and nail to defend them against attack. She is torn between enjoying the perks that Howie's salary now allows and being unsettled by the changes it also brings. She gave birth to baby Victoria 18 months ago and as the series starts is on a quest to get her and Howie's sex life back on track.
Eric Foulkes - Keith Clifford Father to Jackie and Pauline, Eric has recently retired as foreman at Sherpa Freight where his sons-in-law still work and is fondly remembered by staff. He now splits his time between babysitting for the two families and his allotment. Towards the end of the series it comes to light that Eric is more of a dark horse than we thought.
Nigel Cockburn - James Midgley Colin's nemesis and a prize prat - Cockburn is humourless, ambitious and highly focussed on climbing the career ladder at Sherpa Freight. But will the winning combination of Howie and Colin get in his way?
Len Guthrie - Russell Dixon Old-school Len is often the voice of reason to counter Cockburn's management style. Respectful of his hard working staff, he is a champion of both Howie and Colin over the course of the series.
[edit] Episodes
| # | Title | Original airdate | Production code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Christmas Lights (Pilot)" | December 21, 2004 | #NL-P |
| In the first episode we are introduced to best mates: Howie Scott and Colin Armstrong. Both are workers at Sherpa Freight, but when Howie gets promoted to manager a rivalry develops between the friends. A rivalry that causes the two to attempt to outdo each other by dectoraring their houses with christmas lights! | |||
| 2 | "Episode 1" | January 16, 2006 | #NL101 |
| Colin & Jackie splash out on a Florida holiday but then Colin fails an alcohol test and gets fired from Sherpa! | |||
| 3 | "Episode 2" | January 23, 2006 | #NL102 |
| Colin is still job hunting so he takes work at the local taxi firm. Brooke goes missing and Colin & Jackie fear the worst. | |||
| 4 | "Episode 3" | January 30, 2006 | #NL103 |
| Colin & Howie go to a school reunion at Newcastle and Howie hooks up with an old flame. Colin is torn between supporting his friend or telling Pauline. | |||
| 5 | "Episode 4" | February 6, 2006 | #NL104 |
| To show that he can be more than just a van driver, Colin becomes the new captain of the Sherpa Freight's football team. | |||
| 6 | "Episode 5" | February 13, 2006 | #NL105 |
| Colin's father dies and his father-in-law has a heart attack. | |||
| 7 | "Episode 6" | February 20, 2006 | #NL106 |
| The Armstrongs and the Scotts go away for the weekend. Jackie & Pauline find out they have a long lost sister, who turns out to be a lesbian! Colin & Howie get drunk and disturb a shotgun-wielding farmer who attempts to hunt them down! | |||
| 8 | "Behind The Scenes" | April 10, 2007 | BTS-NL |
| This special behind the scenes look at the series, takes a peek behind the camera and sees that making of Northern Lights! | |||
