Almost a decade after creating the phenomenally successful drama A Family at War, acclaimed writer John Finch explored the peacetime consequences of the Second World War’s aftermath for two very different families in the Lake District in this gritty drama serial from Granada Television.
Episodes dealt with the return from the war of the children of two northern families – The Haywards were staunch Labour supporters, while the Warrington’s were owners of the Iron Works in the town of Whitstanton.
The story – set between 1945 and 1952 – explored the differing effects of the Labour election victory on working-class and upper-class life, as well as the disruptive effect of war on the love lives of the younger members of the families.
John Warrington David Langton Jean Hayward
Madelaine Newton Mark Warrington
James Bate Peg Warrington
Emily Moore Keir Hayward
Ian Hastings Helen Hayward
Avis Bunnage Blake Hayward
Alan Hunter George Hayward
William Lucas Beth Warrington
Colette O’Neil Rosalynde ‘Ros’ Warrington
Jane How Maurice Robinson
Benjamin Whitrow Tom Poster
Alan Surtees Martha Hayward (Blake)
Anita Carey Harry Dobey
Bill Waddington Harry Hayward
Nat Jackley Paula Brandt
Catherine Schell Herta Brandt
Katja Kersten Richard Warrington
Malcolm Tierney
Episodes dealt with the return from the war of the children of two northern families – The Haywards were staunch Labour supporters, while the Warrington’s were owners of the Iron Works in the town of Whitstanton.
