Set in the high-energy style-conscious London of the 1980s, The Fear depicts the rise and fall of ambitious young Armani-clad thug Carl Galton (Iain Glen) as he leads a group of young criminals from Islington, North London, to move in on the territory of some old-school East End gangsters.
Carl’s philosophy is simple. He does not mean to end up a lachrymose drunk like his father. He does not intend to whinge and sign on. He intends to take what he wants – and one of the things he wants is revenge for the death of his brother, who was killed by the son of Chalker, an ageing crime baron.
He uses violence with heartless precision to achieve his desired ends.
Carl’s abused wife Linda was played by Susannah Harker, and Anthony Valentine appeared as Tony Slater, the Mr Big.
The five-part gangster serial was produced by Euston Films for Thames Television. The company took a lease on a building – formerly a furniture factory – on Holloway Road as its production base.
With approximately 65 people in the crew – not counting the cast – The Fear required a large amount of night filming. With a London summer only offering five hours of darkness a night, a 7.00 pm call was not unusual, with a 5.00 am wrap.
Carl Galton
Iain Glen Linda
Susannah Harker Marty
Jesse Birdsall Tony Slater
Anthony Valentine Freddie
Jerome Flynn Nicky
Fergus Brazier Mario
Mario Kalli George Klein
Denis Lill Russell
Stephen Persaud Karen
Ruth Seager Jo-Jo
Sam Smart Con
Adrian Dunbar Kathy
Karen Frawley Bill
Ben Howard Pat Klein
Linda Marlowe Chris
Simon Templeman Glo
Claudette Barnard Alan
Jon Cartwright Connie
Helen Gemmell Broderick
Prentis Hancock Dot Fleming
Leslie Lyon Bridie
Phyllis MacMahon Stan
Patrick Marley Motty
Willie Ross Bobby Chalker
Paul Rogers Jimmy Chalker
Rick Stone
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