Funland
Encyclopedia
Funland is a comedy
/ thriller serial, produced by the BBC
that was first screened from Sunday 23 October 2005 to Monday 7 November 2005 , on the digital channel BBC Three
. Created by Jeremy Dyson
(of The League of Gentlemen
) and Simon Ashdown
, the series consists of a sixty-minute opening episode followed by ten half-hour installments.
It started with Shirley Woolf and his wife Connie's feud to separate them from Shirley's mother Mercy. And the arrival of a southern stranger and a prudish couple from Stoke-on-Trent
.
As the series developed more sinister plotlines and characters were introduced, the corrupt Mayor of Blackpool, the mysterious figure of power Bridewell and a strange hooded figure. Other mysteries arrive such as the disappearance of the last vicar of Ambrose Chapel, what lies behind the door opened by the mysterious key and what are Mercy's plans for Blackpool
.
All was revealed in the final episode, as the screeching figure in the parka arrives with a package for Mercy, as she, Shirley and Carter are situated at the very top of Blackpool Tower
in a raging gale on the night of the Cross Ball. The package is opened, and the deeds to the entire Fylde Coast, "Wax's way"; stretching from Knott End-on-Sea
all the way to Lytham St Annes
are revealed and Mercy reveals her plan as her iron grip over the bustling seaside towns tighten following her purchase of the tower. But the paperwork flies out of her hands and Shirley climbs up the tower framework to reach it but is shot by Mercy and plummets to his death.
The last scene as Carter and Lola walk along the beach, they find the deeds and know, now that Mercy has been imprisoned for her crimes; that they, and the town of Blackpool
are safe.
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
/ thriller serial, produced by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
that was first screened from Sunday 23 October 2005 to Monday 7 November 2005 , on the digital channel BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
. Created by Jeremy Dyson
Jeremy Dyson
Jeremy Dyson is an English screenwriter and, along with Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, a participant in The League of Gentlemen.-Early life:...
(of The League of Gentlemen
The League of Gentlemen
The League of Gentlemen are a group of British comedians formed in 1995, best known for their radio and television series.The League of Gentlemen may also refer to:* The League of Gentlemen ,...
) and Simon Ashdown
Simon Ashdown
Simon Ashdown is a British television writer, best known as being a BAFTA award-nominated EastEnders writer.Ashdown is currently series consultant and lead writer on EastEnders. He was involved in the creation of the Slater family, and along with other writers, developed the characters around the...
, the series consists of a sixty-minute opening episode followed by ten half-hour installments.
Plot summary
The series followed the dark and seedy tale of a group of people, all interlinked through family, work or debt.It started with Shirley Woolf and his wife Connie's feud to separate them from Shirley's mother Mercy. And the arrival of a southern stranger and a prudish couple from Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
.
As the series developed more sinister plotlines and characters were introduced, the corrupt Mayor of Blackpool, the mysterious figure of power Bridewell and a strange hooded figure. Other mysteries arrive such as the disappearance of the last vicar of Ambrose Chapel, what lies behind the door opened by the mysterious key and what are Mercy's plans for Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
.
All was revealed in the final episode, as the screeching figure in the parka arrives with a package for Mercy, as she, Shirley and Carter are situated at the very top of Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower Eye is a tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire in England which was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. . Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it rises to 518 feet & 9 inches . The tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers...
in a raging gale on the night of the Cross Ball. The package is opened, and the deeds to the entire Fylde Coast, "Wax's way"; stretching from Knott End-on-Sea
Knott End-on-Sea
Knott End-on-Sea is a village in Lancashire, England, situated on the southern side of Morecambe Bay, across the Wyre estuary from Fleetwood. Although there is no through road , the village is in fact the main commercial centre for the Over Wyre area...
all the way to Lytham St Annes
Lytham St Annes
Lytham St Annes is a conurbation in the Fylde district of Lancashire, England. The neighbouring towns of Lytham and St-Anne's-on-the-Sea have grown together and now form a seaside resort...
are revealed and Mercy reveals her plan as her iron grip over the bustling seaside towns tighten following her purchase of the tower. But the paperwork flies out of her hands and Shirley climbs up the tower framework to reach it but is shot by Mercy and plummets to his death.
The last scene as Carter and Lola walk along the beach, they find the deeds and know, now that Mercy has been imprisoned for her crimes; that they, and the town of Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
are safe.
Filming and Production Notes
- Produced by Sanne Wohlenberg, the series is directed by Dearbhla Walsh, Susan TullySusan TullySusan Tully is an English television producer, director and former actress.Her most prominent television roles to date have been those of single mother Michelle Fowler in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and her pivotal part in early Grange Hill...
and Brian KirkBrian KirkBrian Kirk is an Irish television director who has most recently directed episodes of Game of Thrones, FX's The Riches and Showtime's Brotherhood and The Tudors...
, and filmed on location in BlackpoolBlackpoolBlackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
, the town in which the programme is also set. - Funland was nominated for a BAFTABritish Academy Television AwardsThe British Academy Television Awards are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts . They have been awarded annually since 1954, and are analogous to the Emmy Awards in the United States.-Background:...
(2006) in the "Best Drama Serial" category, but was beaten by Bleak House. - A scene involving Mercy and the Mayor is filmed on the Big DipperBig Dipper (Blackpool)Big Dipper is a wooden out and back roller coaster at Pleasure Beach Blackpool, Blackpool, England. The ride was first built in 1923 by John Miller but was extended in 1936 by Charlie Paige and Joe Emberton; adding arches over the south entrance of the park and additional drops...
ride at Pleasure Beach BlackpoolPleasure Beach BlackpoolPleasure Beach Blackpool is a family owned amusement park and resort situated along the Fylde coast in Blackpool, England. It is the most visited amusement park in the United Kingdom, and one of the top twenty most-visited amusement parks in the world with an estimate of 5.5 million visitors in...
.
Cast
- Daniel MaysDaniel Mays-Early life:One of four boys, Mays was raised in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, by his electrician father and bank cashier mother. He attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts before going on to win a place at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.-Career:...
– Carter Krantz - Kris MarshallKris MarshallKristopher "Kris" Marshall is an English actor, best known for his role as Nick Harper in My Family, and as Adam in the adverts for BT Group since 2005.-Career:...
– Dudley Sutton - Sarah SmartSarah SmartSarah Smart is an English actress.Smart was born in Birmingham, West Midlands, England. Her career started as a child, notably in the television series Woof!. She is best known for a series of well-regarded television roles including Virginia Braithwaite, daughter of a lottery winning family in...
– Lola Sutton - Ian Puleston-DaviesIan Puleston-Davies-Early life and career:Born in Flint, Wales, Puleston-Davies has starred in the ITV drama Vincent alongside Ray Winstone, and Ghostboat , alongside David Jason. He has also played the lead roles in Conviction and the BBC Three series Funland.He has starred in long-running dramas such as Holby...
– Shirley Woolf - Judy ParfittJudy ParfittJudy Parfitt is a BAFTA-nominated English theatre, film and television actress who began her career on stage in 1954.-Life and work:...
– Mercy Woolf - Frances BarberFrances BarberFrances Barber is an Olivier Award-nominated English actress with a long and distinguished stage career. She has also appeared in numerous television productions...
– Connie Woolf - Roy BarracloughRoy BarracloughRoy Barraclough MBE is a comic actor. He is best known for his role as the shifty, lugubrious landlord of the Rovers Return, Alec Gilroy in the long-running British TV soap Coronation Street where he formed an on-screen partnership with Bet Lynch .- Career :Roy Barraclough...
– The Mayor - Mark GatissMark GatissMark Gatiss is an English actor, screenwriter and novelist. He is best known as a member of the comedy team The League of Gentlemen, and has both written for and acted in the TV series Doctor Who and Sherlock....
– Ambrose Chapfel - Cheryl CampbellCheryl CampbellCheryl Campbell is an English actor of stage, film and television.-Early years:Cheryl Campbell was educated at Francis Bacon Grammar School, St Albans; London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art...
– Valerie Hinchcliffe (Lola's Mum) - Ewan Bailey – The Finn
- Burn GormanBurn GormanBurn Hugh Gorman is an American-born English actor and musician. Burn is best known for his roles as Owen Harper in Torchwood and as William Guppy in Bleak House.-Personal life:...
- Tim Timothy - Emily Aston - Ruby Woolf
- Kenny DoughtyKenny DoughtyKenny Doughty is an English actor who trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Married to the actress Caroline Carver.-Filmography as Director:-Filmography as Actor:...
- Liam Woolf - Ryan Pope - Chris Church
- Philip JacksonPhilip Jackson (actor)Philip Jackson is an English actor, known for his many television and film roles, most notably as Chief Inspector Japp in the television series Poirot and as Abbot Hugo, one of the recurring adversaries in the cult 1980s series Robin of Sherwood. Jackson was born in Retford, Nottinghamshire...
- Leo Finch - Beth CordinglyBeth CordinglyBeth Cordingly is an English actress, most famous for her role as PC Kerry Young in the ITV police drama The Bill.-Biography:...
- Vienna Keen - Kevin Eldon - Shadowman
- Simon GreenallSimon GreenallSimon Greenall is a British actor, writer and voice artist from Longtown in Cumbria. He has appeared in a wide variety of roles in television, film, radio and the theatre, and is probably best known for his role as Michael in the TV series I'm Alan Partridge and as the voice of headmaster Iqbal in...
- Ken Cryer - Paul Courtenay Hyu - Bryan Luke
- Katrina Rafferty - The Teddy Picker Girl
- Jason WatkinsJason Watkins (actor)Jason Watkins , is an award-nominated British stage, film and television actor.-Career:Since training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he has established himself as a stage actor, and is a member of the National Theatre company....
- Bradley Stainer - Brian HibbardBrian HibbardBrian Hibbard is a Welsh actor and singer, best remembered as the lead vocalist in the original Flying Pickets.Hibbard was born in Ebbw Vale, and after various job including teacher, steel worker, barman and chimney sweep, he formed the Flying Pickets with a group of other actors who had practised...
- Willy Woolf
Episodes
Episode Guide and Crew details are supplied from TV.com| # | Episode | Writer/s | Director | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode One | Jeremy Dyson Jeremy Dyson Jeremy Dyson is an English screenwriter and, along with Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, a participant in The League of Gentlemen.-Early life:... & Simon Ashdown Simon Ashdown Simon Ashdown is a British television writer, best known as being a BAFTA award-nominated EastEnders writer.Ashdown is currently series consultant and lead writer on EastEnders. He was involved in the creation of the Slater family, and along with other writers, developed the characters around the... |
Dearbhla Walsh Dearbhla Walsh Dearbhla Walsh is an Irish film and television director who has worked on drama series for several television channels in Ireland and the United Kingdom, including episodes of EastEnders, Shameless and The Tudors. She won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or... |
23 October 2005 |
| Carter Krantz has arrived in Blackpool, naked and only with a key and a piece of paper. He starts to go through the city, running into all kinds of people. Dudley Sutton and his wife Lola try to spice up their relationship and discover more than expected. Shirley and Mercy get into an argument about their family, revealing several secrets. | ||||
| 2 | Episode Two | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Dearbhla Walsh | 24 October 2005 |
| Lola has to realise what it really means to pay of the dept of her husband. Things even get worse for her when Dudley comes along. Connie finally confessed to Shirley and they agree to get rid of Mercy. | ||||
| 3 | Episode Three | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Dearbhla Walsh | 24 October 2005 |
| The negotiations between the mayor and Mercy get out of hand and result into a showdown of corruption. Carter asks Ken Cryer for help, but the things Ken reveal bring Carter in serious danger. | ||||
| 4 | Episode Four | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Susan Tully Susan Tully Susan Tully is an English television producer, director and former actress.Her most prominent television roles to date have been those of single mother Michelle Fowler in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and her pivotal part in early Grange Hill... |
30 October 2005 |
| Lola starts to having fun as lap dancer. Her passion can't find enough satisfaction in Dudley anymore. The Woolf family gathers for Mercy's birthday, were again secrets get revealed and new wars start. Carter learns that Malcolm Carpet might be involved in his mother's death. | ||||
| 5 | Episode Five | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Susan Tully | 30 October 2005 |
| Shirley is kicked out by Connie and runs into Lola. She and Dudley try to get him to pay their dept, but Shirley is not as honest as he looks. The mayor tries to finalise a deal to get rid of Mercy, but fails for now. | ||||
| 6 | Episode Six | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Susan Tully | 31 October 2005 |
| Carter still searches for his mother's murders, but realised two hitmen are tracking him. He turns to Mercy for help and she provides it. The mayor tries to get rid of Mercy once again. | ||||
| 7 | Episode Seven | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Susan Tully | 31 October 2005 |
| Connie tries to get Shirley to stand up against Mercy. Carter helps Lola, but where is Dudley in this situation? He is getting jealous and calls Lola's mother for help. | ||||
| 8 | Episode Eight | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Brian Kirk Brian Kirk Brian Kirk is an Irish television director who has most recently directed episodes of Game of Thrones, FX's The Riches and Showtime's Brotherhood and The Tudors... |
6 November 2005 |
| Carter has a new lead and suddenly faces the mayor, who is preparing to leave town. Lola is in more and more danger with every day. Her mother goes out with Leo instead of providing help to her daughter. | ||||
| 9 | Episode Nine | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Brian Kirk | 6 November 2005 |
| Ruby is planning her wedding and Liam tries to reunite with his rock band. Connie still tries to get Shirley to get rig of Mercy and put an end to her power. Carter learns that he has to find Bridewell to get the answers he searches. The problem: Who is Bridewell? | ||||
| 10 | Episode Ten | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Brian Kirk | 7 November 2005 |
| Carter finally get closer to an answer. But still what does his key mean? and what's up with Shirley? | ||||
| 11 | Episode Eleven | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Brian Kirk | 7 November 2005 |
| Things rise to a huge and dramatic end and the most exclusive location in Blackpool, the Blackpool Tower. The man with the monkey mask is finally found and his face revealed, but for many of the involved people the sight isn't pretty. | ||||
DVD releases
The complete boxset was released in 2006.| DVD | Release date |
|---|---|
| The Complete First Series (2 discs) | 26 June 2006 |
External links
- "http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/09_september/27/funland.shtml" Official Press Pack
- "Episode one" script at BBC Writers Room
- "Filming begins on BBC THREE's Funland" at BBC Press Office