In Down To Earth, after being badly hit by a demand from the VAT man Brian Addis and his wife Faith decide to leave their life in London (Brian is a florist and Faith a teacher) and move to a small holding in the country called Silverdale Farm where Brian intends to grow his own flowers and generally live the Good Life. …
Early in series 3 son Marcus married Celeste and Brian died in a car accident – shortly afterwards the Addis family sell-up and their farm is bought by Brian’s cousin Matt Brewer who, with his wife and family, take over as the series’ leads with a handover episode in which they all appear.
With series 5 the Murphy’s (introduced in series 4) became the new leads as they bought and moved into the farm. The Brewers exited unseen without fanfare between seasons and with no handover episode.
Drama series Down to Earth was Sunday night staple for it’s first few seasons before petering out somewhat thanks to one too many cast re-shuffles. The casting and stories were generally quite good though.
production details
UK / BBC-1 – Whistling Gypsy / 1x75minute episode 29×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 28 August 2000 – 6 March 2005
Creator: Ashley Pharoah / Music: Sheridan Tongue / Theme Music: After All This Time performed by Tony Hadley / Executive Producer: Mal Young / Producer: Rosemarie Whitman / Books: Faith Addis
cast
PAULINE QUIRKE as Faith Addis (to Season 3)
WARREN CLARKE as Brian Addis (to Season 3)
TOBY ROSS-BRYANT as Marcus Addis (to Season 3)
ELLIE BEAVEN as Sarah Addis (to Season 3)
ALEXANDRA STONE as Molly Addis (to Season 3)
NIMMY MARCH as Rachel (to Season 2)
PAT KEEN as Addy (to Season 2)
LLOYD MAGUIRE as Mr Roberts (to Season 2)
KATY REEVES as Celeste (Season 3)
New cast from Season 3 (2003):
IAN KELSEY as Matt Brewer (-season 4)
ANGELA GRIFFIN as Frankie Brewer (-season 4)
INGA BROOKSBY as Becky Brewer (-season 4)
CHARLOTTE REDPATH as Lucy Brewer (-season 4)
ELLIOT SPENCER-KEYSE as Sam Brewer (-season 4)
DENISE WELCH as Jackie Murphy (from 2004)
RICKY TOMLINSON as Tony Murphy (from 2004)
ZARA DAWSON as Emma Murphy (from 2004)
FINN ATKINS as Kate Cooper (from series 5)
MARC JORDAN as Ryan Cooper (from series 5)
