
G.B.H.
Seen it?1991 | 1 seasons | 81 min | Drama
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It drew serious awards attention, though it had a small audience and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong character drama. If you loved The West Wing, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- One season: easy to finish in a weekend or two, hour-long episodes, about 9 hours in all.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
GBH was a seven-part British television drama written by Alan Bleasdale shown in the summer of 1991 on Channel 4. The protagonists were Michael Murray, the Militant tendency-supporting Labour leader of a city council in the North of England and Jim Nelson, the headmaster of a school for disturbed children. The series was controversial partly because Murray appeared to be based on Derek Hatton, former Deputy Leader of Liverpool City Council — in an interview in the G.B.H. DVD Bleasdale recounts an accidental meeting with Hatton before the series, who indicates that he has caught wind of Bleasdale's intentions but does not mind as long as the actor playing him is "handsome". In normal parlance, the initials "GBH" refer to the criminal charge of grievous bodily harm - however, the actual intent of the letters is that it is supposed to stand for Great British Holiday.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsStrong
Won 2 BAFTAs: Best Actor: Robert Lindsay, British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Original Television Music: Richard Harvey, Elvis Costello. Also nominated for 7 more BAFTAs. Plus 3 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Limited series that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 28K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Created by Alan Bleasdale
- Michael PalinJim Nelson
- Robert LindsayMichael Murray
- Lindsay DuncanBarbara Douglas
- Julie WaltersMrs. Murray
- Dearbhla MolloyLaura Nelson
- Tom GeorgesonLou Barnes
- Andrew SchofieldPeter Grenville
- Alan IgbonTeddy
- Michael AngelisMartin Niarchos
- David RossMr Weller