Housewife, 49 (ITV 2006, Victoria Wood, David Threllfall)

Period, world war two drama Housewife, 49 was written by Vicoria Wood after she stumbled upon the real life diaries of Nella Last and realised what a wonderful drama they would make. Wood also plays Nella, an ordinary housewife from Lancashire who, when war breaks out, discovers a real sense of purpose (for the first time in her life) when she begins working to aid the war effort.

Her new found confidence is a real catalyst for change in her life as for the first time she feels able to stand up to her bullying husband (another typically brilliant performance from David “Shameless” Threllfall and to face up to the fact that her only son is in danger of being killed after he “joins up”.

A very quietly impressive, moving and ultimately uplifting drama, Housewife, 49 offers up a view we don’t get to see very often when it comes to wartime dramas, that of the ordinary person coping with life on the homefront.

production details
UK / ITV-1 – ITV Productions / 1×100 minute episodes / Broadcast 10 December 2006

Writer: Victoria Wood / Music: John Lunn / Executive Producers: Michele Buck, Damien Timmer, Victoria Wood / Producer: Piers Wenger / Director: Gavin Millar

cast
Victoria Wood as Nella Last
David Threlfall as Daddy, Will Last
Christopher Harper as Cliff Last
Ben Crompton as Arthur Last
Lorraine Ashbourne as Dot
Sally Bankes as Mrs Whittaker
Stephanie Cole as Mrs Waite
Marcia Warren as Mrs Lord
Sylvestra Le Touzel as Mrs Lynch
Wendy Nottingham as Miss Finch
Jane Lowe as Mrs Higham
Dorothy Atkinson as Mrs Mac
Sian Brooke as Evelyn Edwards
Laura Power as Madeleine Whittaker
Jason Watkins as Doctor Roger Brierley
Daisy Haggard as Jill
Clare Wille as Pru
Alan Cox as Dennis
Hugh Sachs as Godfrey
Georgie Glen as Mrs Hockey
Samuel Roukin as Michael Hockey
Duncan Barton as Robbie Kilgour
Olwen May as Mrs Brierley
Catherine Skinner as Edith
Sue Wallace as Woman At WVS
Norman Mills as Mr Whittaker
Joseph Kennedy as James Wenchurch
Iain McKee as Tom
Richard Glaves as Alan
Jemma Drake as Girl In Shop
Danny Tennant as Battery Boy