When the BBC first broadcast Our Friends in the North on 7 April 1996, it marked a defining moment in British television. Created by Peter Flannery, the nine-part series offered an intimate, unflinching portrayal of social and political change across four decades, seen through the intertwined lives of four friends from Newcastle.
Starring Christopher Eccleston, Gina McKee, Daniel Craig and Mark Strong, the drama followed Nicky, Mary, Geordie and Kenny from the optimism of the 1960s through the upheavals of the Thatcher years and into the early 1990s. Rooted in Newcastle and stretching to London, the series captured the realities of working-class life and the forces that reshaped communities across the North East and beyond.
Its fearless engagement with politics, personal struggle and lived experience—from the miners’ strikes to housing and employment—made it especially resonant for North East audiences, many of whom saw their own stories reflected on screen. More than a television drama, it became a shared cultural moment and a powerful record of regional memory.
Nearly three decades on, Our Friends in the North still holds a special place in the cultural life of the region.
We’d love to hear from you.
Do you remember watching the series when it first aired? Did it reflect your own experiences, your family’s history, or life in the North East at the time? Share your memories, favourite moments, and reflections with us—and help us build a collective picture of why this landmark series still matters today.
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