MANCHILD

"Manchild" - Tony's BBC series - deals with adult themes and, therefore, so does this page. There are also spoilers in abundance dotted around here so if you are on the youthful side or would rather wait until "Manchild" is screened in your neck of the woods before reading all about it, then please go back now! This is your final warning ...! As usual, click on the thumbnails to see the larger pics.

SO, WHAT IS MANCHILD?

"Manchild" is a comedy-drama series from the BBC which is about a group of 40-somethings who are dealing with the male menopause. They're rich, they're handsome, they date young models, they have everything ... or do they?


WHO'S WHO

JAMES (Anthony Head) is a rich, divorced 49 year old dentist. He chats up young models and takes them back to his converted railway carriage. Unfortunately, he soon discovers that he has a slight problem. Actually James is a really sweet guy and definitely the "looker" of the group. Although he has no trouble picking up women (no surprise there!) he seems almost shy and nervous when a young model turns the tables on him and becomes the confident, "aggressive" partner that he obviously doesn't expect her to be. Definitely not the brightest guy you're ever going to find ... a bit naive but a complete sweetheart and women everywhere are going to fall for James hook, line and sinker!

TERRY (Nigel Havers)is a stockbroker who also does the "straight-to-camera" narrations. He's divorced, of course, with two grown-up children. His ex-wife is a delight and understands him perfectly - certainly giving as good as she gets! His son, Justin, has no time for him at all and his daughter is currently preparing for her second wedding. Terry is the bike man - clad in leathers (see review of episode one for more on the fascinating subject of leathers!) and trying to find the "in" bike. He's inordinately proud of his BMW bike until finding out that only "old codgers" ride them! Not as loveable as James but ... well, I wouldn't say no! For more information about Nigel Havers, check out The Nigel Havers Alliance (a mock political party!) or The Internet Movie Database.

PATRICK (Don Warrington)is a bit of a mystery at the moment. We don't know a great deal about him so far. He collected Beatles memorabilia which he now sells off from time to time at a huge profit. He's never married and is so laid back that it's a wonder he doesn't fall over. He seems to spend a large amount of time in hospital visiting his mother but, like all the guys, loves the champagne lifestyle. For more information about Don Warrington, check out The Internet Movie Database.


GARY (Ray Burdis) is the only guy in the group still married. He expounds the virtues and delights of a married lifestyle to the rest of the mocking guys but as time goes on he begins to doubt his "comfortable" marriage. Gary envies the other's their free and easy lifestyle whilst, at the same time, tries to convince them of the benefits of a marriage that he doesn't really believe in anymore. It's sure going to be interesting to see where they take Gary. For more information about Ray Burdis, check out The Internet Movie Database.

The rest of the cast are: Cheryl, Gary's wife (Lindsey Coulson), Wayne, Gary's son (Jamie Sweeney), Christine, Terry's ex-wife (Christine Kavanagh), Justin, Terry's son (Will Adamsdale), Elizabeth, James' ex-wife (Frances Barber), Sonja, Terry's girlfriend (Melanie Gutteridge), Silvie (Louise Delamere).


EPISODE INFO, PICS AND REVIEWS

This section is now split into seasons. Merely select the series below and Bob's your uncle ...


SEASON ONE

SEASON TWO




More pics from this wonderful series can be found at the Picture Palace section of this site. Thanks go to Kath from the now defunct Manchild quotes site - Let's Stick Together. She did all the hard work in producing the episode quotes and I'd like to thank her for letting me reproduce them here. Huge thanks must go to the marvellous Betsy at BENTLEY'S BEDLAM. The episode descriptions are hers and she's a complete sweetie for letting me reproduce them here. ASH fans should check out her seriously mind-blowing site.





Giles