"A Very Peculiar Practice" (1986) TV series 1986-1988

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Writer:

Andrew Davies (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

21 May 1986 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

A surreal comedy series tracking the career of Stephen Daker, a young doctor who works for the health centre of a modern British university.

Plot Keywords:

University | Clinic | Medical

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Peter Davison	...	Dr. Stephen Daker (14 episodes, 1986-1988)
Graham Crowden	...	Dr. Jock McCannon (14 episodes, 1986-1988)
Barbara Flynn	...	Dr. Rose Marie (14 episodes, 1986-1988)
David Troughton	...	Dr. Bob Buzzard (14 episodes, 1986-1988)
Amanda Hillwood	...	Lyn Turtle / ... (8 episodes, 1986-1988)
John Bird	...	Vice Chancellor Ernest Hemmingway (7 episodes, 1986)
Lindy Whiteford	...	Maureen Gahagan (7 episodes, 1986)
Michael Shannon	...	Vice-Chancellor Jack Daniels (7 episodes, 1988)
Joanna Kanska	...	Grete Grotowska (7 episodes, 1988)

Runtime:

50 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Stereo

Filming Locations:

University of Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Andrew Davies originally wanted to film the series at UEA (University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK). But UEA where unhappy as to how the University would be portrayed. Instead, the exterior shots we all done at either Keele or Birmingham University.

Movie Connections:

Followed by "Screen One: A Very Polish Practice (#4.1)" (1992)

BBC's Best

Let's face it, almost everyone who writes on IMDb likes to claim such-and-such is the best movie/TV series/mini-series etc. Well this is my pick. I can only assume that not many people have seen this because there are some fairly mediocre programmes getting the nod. This show was a dark black comedy with exquisite scripts and terrific acting. It's the best British show I've seen (Upstairs Downstairs is close and I accept The Singing Detective may be better than I found it). If you get to see reruns of this - make the effort. You'll never regret it or forget it.

Update: the first series is now available on DVD, which is great news. It's truly a programme to treasure. How many others do we buy that we never return to? This is such a literate and witty show that it's worth keeping. The only thing is, Series 2 was probably the best and it's not yet available.