Once Upon A Time In The North

1 9 9 4 (UK)
6 x 30 minute episodes

The Tollit family live in the picturesque (but fictional) Yorkshire town of Sutton Moor.

Husband Len (Bernard Hill) is a soft-hearted, well-meaning chap who holds strong views on certain subjects and is fiercely proud of his working-class roots. But his determination to prove himself the equal of those who may consider themselves his betters often leads to confrontation and infuriates his wife, Pat (Christine Moore).

They have two children, the pre-teen Sean (Andrew Whyment) and the sexually-maturing Siobhan (Susan McArdle), who, at 15, is at that ‘awkward age’.

Living in the granny flat in their yard is Mr Bebbington (Bryan Pringle), who had been Len’s late mother’s boyfriend but has remained with them for six months since her death. Pat constantly nags Len into getting Bebbington out, but he is quite content to let him stay and treats him as one of the family.

Len’s half-witted hippie brother, Morris (Bob Mason), who has an Indian spirit guide, lives nearby.

Shot on film and on location, Once Upon A Time In The North looked strikingly handsome, but failed to materialise for a second series, and viewers were left to assume that the Tollits lived (moderately) happily ever after.

Len Tollit
Bernard Hill
Pat Tollit
Christine Moore
Mr Bebbington
Bryan Pringle
Siobhan Tollit
Susan McArdle
Sean Tollit
Andrew Whyment
Morris Tollit
Bob Mason
Bob Carling
Bill Stewart
Troy
Garry Roost

Episodes

The Time Len Tollit Spent His Redendancy Cheque | The Time Sean Got Into the Final | The Time Morris Launched His Boat | The Time Pat Was in the Sound of Music | The Time Everyone Went to Wales | The Time Len Started a Business with Morris