Series synopsis
Brookside is a British soap drama television series that premiered on Channel 4 on November 2, 1982. It ended on November 4, 2003. It was created by Phil Redmond, Colin McKeown. It stars Amanda Burton, Paul Usher, Dean Sullivan and Sue Johnston.
The ground-breaking soap set in a housing estate on the outskirts of Liverpool.
Premise
The ground-breaking soap set in a housing estate on the outskirts of Liverpool.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Amanda Burton
- Paul Usher as Barry Grant
- Dean Sullivan as Jimmy Corkhill
- Sue Johnston as Sheila Grant
- Claire Sweeney
- Gene Foad
- Gillian Kearney
- Helen Grace
Supporting cast
- Ian Hendry
- Jennifer Ellison as Emily O'Leary
- Kenneth Cope
- Letitia Dean
- Mary Tamm
- Philip Olivier as Tim O'Leary
- Neil Davies as Robbie Moffat
- Jack McMullen
- Ray Quinn
- Sarah White
- Sue Jenkins
- Michael Starke as Thomas 'Sinbad' Sweeney
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 20 seasons with 2489 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 19 | November 14, 2002 | |
| Season 1 | 18 | November 2, 1982 | December 29, 1982 |
| Season 2 | 104 | January 4, 1983 | December 28, 1983 |
| Season 3 | 105 | January 3, 1984 | December 31, 1984 |
| Season 4 | 105 | January 1, 1985 | December 31, 1985 |
| Season 5 | 104 | January 6, 1986 | December 30, 1986 |
| Season 6 | 104 | January 5, 1987 | December 30, 1987 |
| Season 7 | 107 | January 4, 1988 | December 30, 1988 |
| Season 8 | 104 | January 2, 1989 | December 29, 1989 |
| Season 9 | 131 | January 1, 1990 | December 31, 1990 |
| Season 10 | 156 | January 2, 1991 | December 30, 1991 |
| Season 11 | 157 | January 1, 1992 | December 30, 1992 |
| Season 12 | 157 | January 1, 1993 | December 31, 1993 |
| Season 13 | 156 | January 3, 1994 | December 30, 1994 |
| Season 14 | 160 | January 3, 1995 | December 29, 1995 |
| Season 15 | 162 | January 2, 1996 | December 31, 1996 |
| Season 16 | 163 | January 1, 1997 | December 31, 1997 |
| Season 17 | 163 | January 2, 1998 | December 30, 1998 |
| Season 18 | 157 | January 1, 1999 | December 31, 1999 |
| Season 19 | 157 | January 4, 2000 | December 29, 2000 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Damon & Debbie: 1 | |
| 2 | Damon & Debbie: 2 | |
| 3 | Damon & Debbie: 3 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 - Bollocks Although he has nothing to go on, Paul Collins accuses one of his new neighbours of stealing his toilet. But Barry believes that Damon's poor spelling clears him of responsibilty for the graffiti found in Gordon's bedroom. |
November 2, 1982 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 - Mass The Grants are taken to church by the Collins when there car breaks down and Heather wants Roger to come back to bed instead of watching what is going on in the Close. |
November 3, 1982 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 - Shortage Paul registers for benefit, Lucy struggles at the local comprehensive.school, realising that her posh voice and background will be a disadvantage. Barry has a dodgy suggestion for Annabelle. |
November 9, 1982 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 19 - The Real World Paul has a job interview and is confident that he has done well. Annabelle starts making clothes for Lucy as part of her economy drive. Bobby goes back to work after the strike, and finds that some of his co-workers are angry |
January 4, 1983 |
| 2 |
Episode 20 - Too Good To Be True Paul jumps to some wrong conclusions. Petra becomes more obsessed with having a baby. Sheila makes a decision, and Damon invites his mates over. |
January 5, 1983 |
| 3 |
Episode 21 - Individualism Karen and Sheila go shopping, while the rest of the family go to watch a football match. Roger joins a badminton club, and Paul suggests a trip to the Lakes to visit Annabelle's mother - but Lucy refuses to go. |
January 11, 1983 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 123 - Long Johns Harry loses his underwear. Annabelle goes to the doctor. The Huntingtons' burglar alarm goes off again. |
January 3, 1984 |
| 2 |
Episode 124 - Beyond Repair The long johns thief is exposed. Sheila decides to set up an agency, and, after an argument with Marie, vows never to speak to her again. |
January 4, 1984 |
| 3 |
Episode 125 - Workmanship Annabelle and Marie clean Heather's house. Samantha asks Alan to marry her. Paul has more problems with Skelly. |
January 10, 1984 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 228 - Working from Home Heather tries to work from home, but she is continually interrupted. Ralph begins to miss Grace, but also starts to look to the future. |
January 1, 1985 |
| 2 |
Episode 229 - Still Here Sheila prepares for a home delivery, and Marie sets off on a long journey to visit George. |
January 7, 1985 |
| 3 |
Episode 230 - Baby Grant Annabelle has to act quickly when her dinner guests arrive early. Stuart has a belated Christmas present for Heather. Bobby and Sheila become parents of a new daughter. |
January 8, 1985 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 333 - Forgetful James has dinner at the Collins', and Annabelle and Paul soon suspect that he has something to hide. Jane receives some good advice, but will she listen? |
January 6, 1986 |
| 2 |
Episode 334 - Birthday Girl It's Claire's first birthday. Paul and Annabelle's fears about Lucy have been confirmed. Pat and Sandra discover that Jane has left during the night, taking a few of their things with her. |
January 7, 1986 |
| 3 |
Episode 335 - Difference of Opinion When the Clearys remove the wheels from Pat and Terry's van, they get much more than they bargained for. Nicholas helps Heather with her decorating and insists on staying to finish it. Bobby is annoyed with Billy because he crossed the picket line. |
January 13, 1986 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 437 - Give Us a Clue Harry is speechless for once, and it's time for Barry to leave again. Shelley lets Tracy go home early when she claims that her mother is awaiting the results of medical tests. |
January 5, 1987 |
| 2 |
Episode 438 - Not Even Ill Damon is hanging around the school gates. Julia's incessant chatter causes Harry to regain the power of speech. Doreen visits Tracy at the salon, and Shelley is surprised that she is looking so well. |
January 6, 1987 |
| 3 |
Episode 439 - Just Confused Sheila is in need of spiritual sustenance. Billy is offered a job in Tunbridge Wells. Harry confronts Madge about her birthdays. |
January 12, 1987 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 541 - The Gift Of Life Laura's life-support machine is turned off. Ralph finds out that Harry is going to be on the panel interviewing him for membership of the Commonwealth and Empire Club. |
January 4, 1988 |
| 2 |
Episode 542 - Pertinent Questions Bobby resents Sheila's studying. Jonathan has to face the inquest into Laura's death, and decides to lie in order to prevent her parents from discovering the truth. |
January 5, 1988 |
| 3 |
Episode 543 - Ways And Means Paul feels that Chris has overstayed his welcome. Terry and Annabelle are surprised by the way Jonathan is behaving following Laura's cremation. |
January 11, 1988 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 648 - Relationships Tracy is grilled by her lawyer. Gordon plans to leave Brian's employment, but is persuaded to stay on. The workforce want Frank to call a strike, and Paul forbids Annabelle to use his car. |
January 2, 1989 |
| 2 |
Episode 649 - Victory Sheila asks for forgiveness, and Frank has some explaining to do. Paul has a few suggestions for Annabelle, Debbie has advice for Barry, and Gordon gets his revenge on Brian. |
January 7, 1989 |
| 3 |
Episode 650 - Getting A Bit Silly When Jonathan and Cheryl return from their holiday, they discover that the decorating hasn't been done yet. Harry prepares his proposal to Betty. Rod needs to come up with some good explanations for not wanting Kirsty to iron his shirt. |
January 9, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 752 - Irresistible Frank learns more of Marsland's plans, but is suspicious of his motives. Tracy is annoyed when Barry sneaks away during the night. Santa Claus arrives late at Davies-Townes, but Sarah isn't convinced. |
January 1, 1990 |
| 2 |
Episode 753 - Flamboyance Jonathan is grilled by Sarah over Guy's motives. Sinbad takes unusual steps to impress Caroline, but James turns the tables on him. |
January 3, 1990 |
| 3 |
Episode 754 - Confidence Frank loses confidence in the cooperative's tender, but Sinbad has some good luck. There is unexpected news for Jonathan. |
January 8, 1990 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 883 - Resolution Julia is not pleased to find that Jack and Cyril have become buddies. Mike can't remember what happened the previous night. |
January 2, 1991 |
| 2 |
Episode 884 - Very Badly Let Down Patricia asks Sue to baby-sit. Diana is annoyed to find that Rod has been systematically lying to her. Julia discovers that she has been stood up in a big way. |
January 4, 1991 |
| 3 |
Episode 885 - Possession Rod tries to make amends with Diana. Tony and his friends' plans to watch an erotic video are thwarted when the police call with news that Mike and Jacqui have been arrested, so they have to find someone to give them a lift. Katie is interested in Sammy's love life. |
January 7, 1991 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1039 - Can't Believe New Year's Day is sad and sombre for the Dixon family. Barry is surprised when he wakes up next to a child. Patricia tells Margaret why she is so scared. |
January 1, 1992 |
| 2 |
Episode 1040 - Everything At Risk Fran plays her trump card, but how will Barry react? Mick comes home early and finds more babysitters than he expected. Ron is taken for a ride by a man on crutches. Max dashes to the hospital to be with Patricia. |
January 3, 1992 |
| 3 |
Episode 1041 - Waiting To Pounce Patricia tries to put on a brave face, but can't quite manage it. Barry doesn't want to remain in a weak position for long. Ron refuses to accept responsibility for losing Mike's keyboard. Barbara intends to make her presence felt at the school. |
January 6, 1992 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1196 - Lessons On New Year's Day, Tracy is suspicious of Brian and Joe, Marcia tells Sinbad what she has seen, and Patricia sacks Anna. |
January 1, 1993 |
| 2 |
Episode 1197 - Emotional Scars Peter can't cope with Anna's romantic advances. Fran refuses to allow Barry to see his son. DD tries to make Leanne consider the options she faces. |
January 4, 1993 |
| 3 |
Episode 1198 - Pre-Occupied A big event is arranged for the residents of the Close. John is not impressed when he returns and finds that Anna has moved in with Peter. Ron is not the only one who wants the vacant shop. |
January 6, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1353 - Reasons For Staying Beth is disappointed to discover from Sinbad that, while he was cleaning her windows, Keith got out of Margaret's bed. |
January 3, 1994 |
| 2 |
Episode 1354 - Needed Jacqui is shocked when Ron announces he is leaving, and reveals to DD that Josh could just as easily be Mike’s son. Mick and Carol embarrass Marianne by insisting on appealing to her boss for funding. With help from Katie and Caroline, Simon is determined to reach Terry. |
January 5, 1994 |
| 3 |
Episode 1355 - House Hunting Mo brings her sister Rosie to look at the houses for sale in Brookside Close - but Katie and Sinbad are both keen to point out their shortcomings. Beth’s bad mood improves after she goes to see Margaret, while Mike and Ron realise that DD is determined to find out which of them is Josh’s father. |
January 7, 1994 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1509 - Walked All Over Penny collects her belongings, and Barry sends Sam on his way with a few punches. Sinbad seeks Jimmy's help to get Kenny out of the way, but gets drunk and locked in the club. Julia continues to teach Beth to dance, while David teaches Mike. |
January 3, 1995 |
| 2 |
Episode 1510 - Girlfriends Jimmy asks Barry to help Sinbad with his problem. Emma is talked out of resigning. Audrey enlists David's help to fix her boiler, and threatens to tell Jean about their affair. Mike takes Beth to the Medicine Ball, but is interrupted before he can tell her how he feels. |
January 4, 1995 |
| 3 |
Episode 1511 - Say It With Flowers When Audrey's boiler breaks down again, Jean invites her to stay at the bungalow with her and David. Sinbad discovers that Kenny has been badly beaten up. Mike's hopes are dashed. |
January 6, 1995 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1669 - Maggots Lindsey is amazed when Jimmy gives his blessing for Gary's fishing trip to Holland. Rosie and Eddie try to convince Max that he has made a mistake and shouldn't prosecute Lee. |
January 2, 1996 |
| 2 |
Episode 1670 - Up For The Job Mike agrees to take Josh out for the afternoon, so he almost certainly has an ulterior motive. The Trading Post requires a new manageress, and fate takes a hand in determining the appointment. |
January 3, 1996 |
| 3 |
Episode 1671 - Friendship Max's insistence on prosecuting Lee provokes a confession from the real thief. Lindsey makes the most of Gary's continued absence, but then he returns. Mick and Sinbad try to fight the flab, but both are finding it difficult. |
January 5, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1831 - Rewrites Max and Susannah return home and discover they have squatters. Lindsey tries to persuade Jimmy not to leave. It is time for Georgia and Nat's dinner-for-two at "Grants", and Mike finds that Ollie was impressed with "his" rewrites. |
January 1, 1997 |
| 2 |
Episode 1832 - Personal Matters Georgia doesn't approve of Nat's ideas on how to prevent another pregnancy. Ron tries to convince Jackie to move in with him again. Mick and Elaine have a disagreement, and Susannah discovers that Max has offered Julia and Jack discount for their engagement party. |
January 3, 1997 |
| 3 |
Episode 1833 - Something To Celebrate Mike receives some good news, but his celebrations may be premature. It's Jack and Julia's engagement party, but will they both be present? Mick tries to make amends for upsetting Elaine, and Ron goes with Jackie to see Little Jimmy. |
January 7, 1997 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1994 - Please Give Up Ron plans a quiet drink with Molly, but David tags along again. Louise and Danny try to find out more about her father from Eleanor, who objects to their detective work. Lisa tries to convince Susannah that what she is doing is wrong - but will she listen? |
January 2, 1998 |
| 2 |
Episode 1995 - Too Much At Stake Susannah admits to Max what she did on New Year's Eve, and that she has told Lisa their plans. Ron prepares for a midweek "weekend away". Carmel is suspicious when Sinbad's undies go missing. Peter's plans are significantly different from Lindsey's. |
January 6, 1998 |
| 3 |
Episode 1996 - There's Someone Else Carmel becomes more sure that Sinbad is having an affair. Lindsey finishes with Peter, and Ron's holiday proves expensive. The tension is getting to Mick, and Eleanor tries to reassure him. Jimmy's assistant is looking a little different, and refusing to do much work. Then a policeman arrives....... |
January 7, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 2157 - Slag Ryan decides to confront Nikki, Niamh's new year is not very happy, Mick sees in the new year with a kiss, and Jacqui, Susannah and Lindsey launch their new venture. |
January 1, 1999 |
| 2 |
Episode 2158 - Banned Rachel and Katie convince themselves that they know who the rapist is. Jacqui has a bad day, and Joey appears in court - with Benny not far away. |
January 5, 1999 |
| 3 |
Episode 2159 - Shocks Bev does not plan to give up easily on Ron, Susannah takes on Katrina as a full-time nanny. There is a shock in store for Gemma, and some terrible news for Jimmy. |
January 6, 1999 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 2314 - Someone's Child Mick is distraught when Gemma is rushed to hospital, and blames Leo. Jackie watches in amazement as Jimmy loses his temper and slaps Lindsey, and Niamh struggles to keep what remains of her family together. |
January 4, 2000 |
| 2 |
Episode 2315 - Just What We All Wanted Jackie is furious that Lindsey is involved with drugs and orders her to leave. Victoria tries to drown her sorrows by drinking. Jessie prays for forgiveness, and the Musgroves disappear forever from the Close in the middle of the night. |
January 5, 2000 |
| 3 |
Episode 2316 - Guilt Over Mark Victoria is convinced that she was responsible for Mark's death, but Darren also feels guilty about it. Mick is relieved when Gemma regains consciousness, and Lindsey is disappointed when accommodation is all that Shelley wants to offer her. |
January 7, 2000 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Channel 4 |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 2, 1982 |
| Last aired | November 4, 2003 |
| Runtime | 90 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Monday, Wednesday, Friday |