1 9 7 5 – 1 9 8 3 (UK)
97 x 30 minute episodes
58 x 50 minute episodes
Angels was the BBC’s twice-weekly story of six student nurses at (the fictitious) St Angela’s Hospital, Battersea – and later, the brand new Heath Green Hospital in Birmingham.
St James’ Hospital in Balham (demolished in 1992) was used in filming.
The stories centred on the difficulties faced by nurse trainees in adjusting to the nursing profession, along with their relationships with the opposite sex, and character clashes between the various members of the staff, as well as the stress of working shifts in the National Health Service.
Unlike Coronation Street, against which it was scheduled, there was a documentary-like style and the nurses’ work was shown as thankless – a long way from the romance of Emergency – Ward 10.
From 1975 to 1978, Angels was originally broadcast in 50-minute episodes, moving to two 30-minute episodes per week from 1979 onwards.
Many of the cast and production team went on to EastEnderswhen Angels finished in 1983.
Jean MacEwen
Carol Holmes Patricia Rutherford
Fiona Fullerton Rose Butchins
Kathryn Apanowicz Jo Longhurst
Julie Dawn Cole Sita Patel
Karan David Tracey Willoughby/Carr
Julia Williams Ruth Fullman
Lesley Dunlop Vicky Smith
Pauline Quirke Alison Streeter
Juliet Waley Anna Newcross
Joanna Monro Katy Betts/Smart
Shirley Cheriton Fleur Barratt
Sharon Rosita Janet Dickens
Michelle Martin Sarah Regan
Debbie Ash Dave Nowell
Neil West Ron Frost
Martin Barrass Sandra Ling
Angela Bruce Beverley Slater
Judith Jacob Linda Mo
Sarah Lam Dick Willoughby
Stacy Davies Susan Willoughby
Jill Meers Kathy Stone
Lynda Bellingham Ayo Lapido
Joy Lemoine
Jean MacEwen
