1 9 8 9 UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes
In the ultra-Thatcherite future (1999) the Queen has resigned and Charles is king, television is called Murdochvision and the UK is subdivided into two regions with security guards manning the border posts and identity papers required to pass: Northern Britain is cold, bleak and bankrupt, while sunny South Britain is a place of relative luxury.
When Australian baron Lord Tewkesbury, the wealthy owner of International Entirety PLC (the biggest private company in Britain), decides his hapless and snobbish son and heir Giles (Adrian Edmondson) needs more life experience, he arranges for Giles to work under the assumed name Alexander G St Clair.
Unfortunately, a computer error results in Giles being sent to North Britain to do menial labour while impoverished young Scotsman Gavin Sinclair (John Gordon Sinclair) is transferred to sunny South Britain.
The short-lived Channel 4 series came from Birds of a Feather and The New Statesman creators Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. The following year, they teamed up with writer Paul Makin for Nightingales.
Gavin Sinclair
John Gordon Sinclair
Giles Tewkesbury
Adrian Edmondson
Computer voice
Ed Devereaux
Gavin’s Dad
Phil McCall
Gavin’s mum
June Watson
TV reporter
Elaine Collins
Mr Haverty
Christopher Godwin
Donald
Tony Meyer
Mr Lambie
Roger Sloman
Serena
Lynsey Baxter
Mr Pym
Ron Donachie
Ronald
David Meyer
Robbie
Steven O’Donnell
Miss Ainscow
Elizabeth Bennett
Butler
Anthony Benson
Yana Haverty
Andrée Bernard
Emma
Kate McKenzie
Mr Gershwin
Peter Cellier
DI Ure
Jake D’Arcy
DC Cieslik
Tony Osoba