The Kids from 47A (ITV 1973-1974, Christine McKenna, Nigel Greaves)

In children’s sitcom The Kids From 47A, when their widowed mother goes into hospital (and later dies), her four children (the oldest 16) have to learn to fend for themselves.

The eldest—office worker Jess Gathercole—becomes the family matriarch, making every effort to keep her schoolchild sister and brothers at home with her. At the start of the second series, the Gathercole mother has died and Jess is only able to keep the family together after battling with social services, who continue to keep a watchful eye.

Episode writers included Lynda La Plante and Phil Redmond. The series directors were Alan Coleman, Richard Bramall and Jonathan Wright-Miller.

cast
CHRISTINE McKENNA as Jess Gathercole
NIGEL GREAVES as Willy Gathercole
GAYNER HODGSON as Binny Gathercole
RUSSELL LEWIS as George Gathercole
LLOYD LAMBLE as Mr Stephens
JOAN NEWELL as Miss East

production info
First Air Date: May 30th, 1973
Last Air Date: October 30th, 1974
Country: UK
Network: ITV – ATV
Creator: Charlotte Mitchell
Script Editor: Gail Renard
Producers: Alan Coleman (season 1), Richard Brammall (seasons 2-3), John Scholz-Conway (special)
Number of Seasons: 3 + 1 Special
Number of Episodes: 42