Post by faydako on Jul 29, 2008 13:57:54 GMT -5
This unusual six part musical drama was first shown in the UK at the end of 2004 on BBC One.
The plot centeres around the murder of a young man in a Blackpool arcade, and how it affects the people involved in the arcade and the investigation:
Ripley Holden (David Morrissey), the ambitious, bullying arcade owner who believes strongly in luck, and who is planning to turn his arcade into a Las Vegas-style casino hotel and thus revive Blackpool's fortunes;
DI Peter Carlisle (David Tennant), the investigating officer of the murder: a charming and good-natured, although extremely manipulative, police officer, who dislikes Holden almost on sight;
Natalie Holden (Sarah Parish), Ripley's shy, frustrated and lonely wife, whom Ripley takes for granted and to whom Carlisle takes a shine to;
Shyanne Holden (Georgina Taylor); Ripley and Natalie's spoilt daughter, who worships her doting father but is cruel and distant to her mother; and
Danny Holden (Thomas Morrison); Ripley and Natalie's troubled and awkward son, who is constantly belittled by his father.
As the investigation proceeds, it takes its toll on the characters; Ripley, under suspicion of murder, finds his public and private life slowly unravelling as both his bullying nature and long-forgotten demons from his past return to bite him, whilst Carlisle, intent on proving Ripley is the murderer and planning to use Natalie to get to him, finds himself genuinely falling in love with her instead.
Did you know?
* Blackpool was nominated for the Best Drama Serial award at the 2005 BAFTAs.
* It went on to win Best Mini Series and Grand Prize accolades at the Banff Television Festival in Canada.
* It was a huge success for BBC America, where it was renamed Viva Blackpool and received nominations for Best TV Mini Series at the prestigious 2006 Golden Globes.