HOLDING ON – 1977

UK | ITV – London Weekend Television | 6×60 minute episodes | AIRDATES: 16 January – 20 February 1977 / Sundays @ 10.00pm

Writer: Brian Phelan | Novel: Mervyn Jones | Producer: Paul Knight | Designer: John Blezard | Music: Denis King | Executive Producer: Rex Firkin | Directors: Raymond Menmuir (episodes 1-2 and 6), Gerry Mill (episodes 2-5)

Period drama serial Holding On told the life and times of the East End Wheelwright family over much of the 20th century from 1903 right up to 1970.

The story began in 1903 with Dora Wheelwright struggling to bring up her kids, Charlie and Vi, following the death of her Stevedore husband in an accident. Charlie as an adult found himself caught up in the horrors of world war one and then struggles to survive throughout the depressed 1920′s, he marries Ann and becomes in involved in the General Strike before having to go through another world war and it’s aftermath and the changing face of the East End and the loss of community. The family lived in Steadman Street.

cast

MICHAEL ELPHICK as Charlie Wheelwright

JOHN NETTLES as Herbert Goodings

JOHN DUTTINE as Harry Wheelwright

PATRICIA FRANKLIN as Ann Wheelwright

KENNETH CRANHAM as Ted Wheelwright

DIANE KEEN as Yvette

TINA MARTIN as Marge Naylor

FRANK MILLS as Alf Harris

ROSALIND AYRES as Vi Wheelwright

MICHAEL LEES as Howard Buckley

STUART HARWOOD as Tommy Whitmarsh