This Year Next Year (ITV 1977, Ronald Hines, Virginia Stride)

This Year Next Year was another slice of classic John Finch drama. The 13 part series focused on Harry Shaw who, after going through something of a crisis with his London based business, decides to move back to his Yorkshire roots even though his wife and kids aren’t keen.

The catalyst for Harry wanting to move back to his roots is a wedding that take place in the village of Treddle between his 40 year old brother and a local widow, combined with the fact that his father no longer wants to continue with the family farm.

Finch, speaking in the TV Times on the week of the first episode airing said “most of the people are slightly flawed… Harry Shaw, the central character, is something of a loser. HIs marriage is rocky and he loses his job.”

The village used for filming was Finch’s home at the time. The cast was excellent, Ronald Hines and Virginia Stride took the leads as Harry and Liz Shaw but fabulous Michael Elphick had a key role as Harry’s brother Jack as did Anne Stallybrass as Jack’s new wife.

production details
UK / ITV – Granada / 13×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 25 January – 19 April 1977

Writer: John Finch / Executive Producer: Michael Cox / Producer: Howard Baker

cast
Ronald Hines as Harry Shaw
Virginia Stride as Liz Shaw
Michael Latimer as Alan Williams
Patricia Maynard as Paula Shaw
Julie Peasgood as Kath Shaw
Sylvestra Le Touzel as Carol Shaw
Marc Harrison as Jim Shaw
Teddy Turner as Ernest Shaw
Jill Summers as Tessa Shaw
Alan MacNaughtan as Maurice Stockton
Michael Elphick as Jack Shaw
Anne Stallybrass as Gentle Shaw

THE EPISODES
1. PARTING OF THE WAYS (25 Jan 77)
2. BACK TO EARTH (1 Feb 77)
3. FAMILY TIES (8 Feb 77)
4. HAY TIME (15 Feb 77)
5. CONJUGAL RIGHTS (22 Feb 77)
6. ANOTHER PLACE (1 Mar 77)
7. PROFIT AND LOSS (8 Mar 77)
8. THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM (15 Mar 77)
9. STORM WARNING ( 22 Mar 77)
10. THE FAULT (29 Mar 77)
11. THE EDGE (5 Apr 77)
12. COMFORT AND JOY (12 Apr 77)
13. FULL CIRCLE (19 Apr 77)