Series synopsis
Born and Bred is a British drama television series that premiered on BBC One on April 21, 2002. It ended on August 3, 2005. It was created by Nigel McCrery, Chris Chibnall. It stars James Bolam, Michael French, Jenna Russell and Charlotte Salt.
In the 1950s at the fictional Lancashire village of Ormston, a father and son, both doctors, navigate the challenges of running a cottage hospital under the newly established National Health Service.
Premise
In the 1950s at the fictional Lancashire village of Ormston, a father and son, both doctors, navigate the challenges of running a cottage hospital under the newly established National Health Service.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- James Bolam as Dr. Arthur Gilder
- Michael French as Dr. Tom Gilder
- Jenna Russell as Deborah Gilder
- Charlotte Salt as Helen Gilder
- Ross Little as Michael Gilder
- Polly Thompson as Catherine Gilder
- Cameron Earley as Phillip Gilder
- Jacob Earley as Phillip Gilder
Supporting cast
- Evan Fortescue as Phillip Gilder
- Peter Gunn as Const. Len Cosgrove
- Tracey Childs as Nurse Linda Cosgrove
- Maggie Steed as Phyllis Woolf
- John Henshaw as Wilf Bradshaw
- Naomi Radcliffe as Jean Bradshaw
- Samuel J. Hudson as Eddie Mills
- Donald Gee as Mr. Boynton
- Clive Swift as Rev. Eustacius Brewer
- Shirley White as Miss Matthews
- Joan Worswick as Miss Matthews
- Oliver Milburn as Dr. Nick Logan
Guest cast
- Bill Paterson as Harry Woolf
- Jamie Glover as Cornelius Sibbald
- Zoe Telford as Rita Lennox
- Mark Benton as Mr. Ffotherington
- Richard Wilson as Dr. Donald Newman
- Sylvia Syms as Elizabeth Grimshaw
- James Laurenson as Brigadier Arbuthnot
- Greg Bennett as Villager
- Roger Lloyd Pack as Norman Pendleton
- Annette Badland as Edna Pendleton
- Fine Time Fontayne as Bill
- Phillip Fowler as Train Driver
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 36 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 1 | December 21, 2003 | December 21, 2003 |
| Season 1 | 6 | April 21, 2002 | May 26, 2002 |
| Season 2 | 10 | April 20, 2003 | June 29, 2003 |
| Season 3 | 9 | February 29, 2004 | April 25, 2004 |
| Season 4 | 10 | June 1, 2005 | August 3, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Very Ormston Christmas Deborah loses her baby and, in addition to keeping an eye on her kids over the festive season, has to endure Arthur's childish pranks on Tom. Len and Wilf dress in drag to catch burglars disguised as Santa and an elf whilst Brewer raises eyebrows by announcing that he will be refereeing a female wrestling bout at the village Christmas extravaganza. |
December 21, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Best Man The Gilder family head to Ormston for Linda's wedding to Len. After a wild stag do, Len wakes nude in the village. Arthur, local doctor, prepares for his nurse's big day. As the guests' train breaks down, Linda has second thoughts. |
April 21, 2002 |
| 2 |
Nothing Like the Son Tom and Arthur clash over the hospital's unconventional management. Meanwhile, Deborah encounters Eddie, who asserts himself as the doctor's cleaner despite any objections. Eddie appears to be harbouring a secret. |
April 28, 2002 |
| 3 |
The Inspector Calls Tom and Arthur prepare to meet Cornelius Sibbald, the official responsible for approving the new cottage hospital. Meanwhile, the villagers unite in a fundraising effort to support the building work. |
May 5, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lost Souls An abandoned child proves a mystery for Tom, while a haunted parishioner, and a trainload of stuffed animals cause troubles for Arthur and Brewer. |
April 20, 2003 |
| 2 |
Home to Roost Deborah's mother arrives in Ormston with surprising news. Meanwhile, Tom has some unusual advice for shopkeeper Mr Boynton. |
April 27, 2003 |
| 3 |
Blood Relations Fred Mills is reluctant to start medical treatment and instead concentrates on fulfilling his wishlist of activities. A mysterious rash spreads through the village. |
May 4, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Little Touch of Harry Phyllis' husband Harry returns to Ormston and she agrees to give him another chance. The pub is still in Harry's name, and he bets it in a poker game with Arthur. Deborah's cousin comes to town to give birth to a child that she wants to give up. |
February 29, 2004 |
| 2 |
No Regrets Helen becomes a trainee nurse just as the hospital welcomes its most demanding patient, Elizabeth Grimshaw. Tensions run high when a famous radio show arrives in Ormston, and Phyllis is upset as she heard that Harry has sold the pub to the brewery. |
March 7, 2004 |
| 3 |
A Small Flourish When Dennis Tyldesley arrives, Hubert Gough thinks that his much younger wife will run off with the mysterious man. However, Dennis reveals that he is in charge of building a new road that will run through the middle of the village. |
March 14, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Great Leap Forward Ormston welcomes a new face and bids farewell to an old friend. Donald and Deborah set up a mobile blood bank before Tom returns from New Zealand, and find a match for teenage haemophiliac Abel Marl. |
June 1, 2005 |
| 2 |
Flying Home Helen returns to join the villagers in paying their last respects to Tom. Logan's patience is tested by hypochondriac Albie Thwaites while Henry Williamson suggests that Deborah and Donald sell the cottage hospital to the NHS. |
June 8, 2005 |
| 3 |
Community Spirits Deborah continues to run the hospital alongside Newman and becomes involved with Janette Locke, who appears to be abusing her son. Jean and Eddie become temporary landlords at the pub whilst Phyllis recuperates from an injury. |
June 15, 2005 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 21, 2002 |
| Last aired | August 3, 2005 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday at 21:00:00 |