Series synopsis
Early Doors is a British comedy television series that premiered on BBC Two on May 12, 2003. It ended on October 18, 2004. It was created by Craig Cash. It stars John Henshaw, Craig Cash, Phil Mealey and Rita May.
A sitcom set in a small pub in Manchester, “The Grapes”, where daily life is bound up in the issues of love, loneliness, and blocked urinals. Regular drinkers Joe and Duffy pass the time with landlord Ken and his police officer cronies.
Premise
A sitcom set in a small pub in Manchester, “The Grapes”, where daily life is bound up in the issues of love, loneliness, and blocked urinals. Regular drinkers Joe and Duffy pass the time with landlord Ken and his police officer cronies.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- John Henshaw as Ken Dixon
- Craig Cash as Joe
- Phil Mealey as Duffy
- Rita May as Jean Dixon
- Christine Bottomley as Melanie Dixon
- Peter Wight as Nige
- James Quinn as Phil
- Mark Benton as Eddie Bell
Supporting cast
- Lorraine Cheshire as Jean Bell
- Rodney Litchfield as Tommy
- Susan Cookson as Tanya
- Maxine Peake as Janice
- Lee Ingleby as Dean
- James McAvoy as Liam
- Lisa Millett as Debbie
- Susan McCardle as Nicola
- Joan Kempson as Winnie Cooper
Guest cast
- Eamon Boland as Keith Braithwaite
- Johnny Leeze as Bill Cooper
- Chris Coghill as Chris (as Christopher Coghill)
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 14 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | ||
| Season 1 | 6 | May 12, 2003 | June 16, 2003 |
| Season 2 | 6 | September 13, 2004 | October 18, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Season 1 Outakes | |
| 2 | Season 2 Outakes |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Opening Time Discarded fag ends in the urinals and the arrival of temporary traffic lights in the vicinity causes chaos in The Grapes. |
May 12, 2003 |
| 2 |
Marital Problems Women throw themselves at Ken in The Grapes. Liam's cooking Melanie a meal for her birthday, although Joe and Duffy suspect she's got a bigger treat in store, Phil and Nige find a bonus in Comet and Duffy's playing away from home. Meanwhile, Joe's sleeping in the spare room after a "wardrobe incident". |
May 19, 2003 |
| 3 |
On the Mobile Ken is forced to downsize the transport for the Big Boy's Beano, they'll be going in a taxi soon. Phil and Nige stare death in the face, Melanie finds her real father and Liam gets a lesson in music and romance from Joe and Duffy. It won't stop him getting on the wrong side of Melanie. Has Jean managed to talk herself out of a holiday? |
May 26, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Sad News at the Grapes Forged bank notes are being past over The Grapes counter but who is the culprit? Luckily Phil and Nige the policemen are on the case. |
September 13, 2004 |
| 2 |
Feeling Poorly Ken the landlord is laid up with the flu. The cops arrive to celebrate their successful drugs bust. Duffy is in no mood for celebrating and faces up to the prospect of single life, seeking solace in the bottom of his beer glass. |
September 20, 2004 |
| 3 |
Quiz Night It's Quiz Night down at The Grapes and Eddie reveals his specialist subject. Tanya lays on her charms for Ken and he lays on some sandwiches for the regulars. The Quizmasters word is final. |
September 27, 2004 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 12, 2003 |
| Last aired | October 18, 2004 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | Ended |