The Mancunian Candidate
Philip Glenister stars in a drama that looks at how life in Manchester changed forever after the 1996 IRA bombing
Total TV Guide imagined a Willy Wonka-style establishment when we were invited to visit a sweet factory in Wigan, which is used as one of the sets for a new three-part drama series. The plant, which makes Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls, is posing as fictional company, ‘Cotton’s Confectionery’ – a family run business encompassing three generations which is headed up by Samuel Cotton (Bernard Hill).
A man of traditions, Samuela hates change, which causes conflict with his adopted son Daniel (Philip Glenister) and his grandson Charlie (Daniel Rigby). However he eventually comes to realise that the factory has to modernise if it’s to survive. ‘It’s great being here because the guys who own the factory have almost the same story to the one in the drama,’ explains Boys From the Blackstuff star Bernard, 69. ‘It’s all about how things are altering all the time and how they’ve had to change with the times. Daniel’s son Charlie is pushing the firm into a new area, and I suppose the metaphor for our series is the same – you either adapt or you die. It’s like everything else.’
The series is set against the backdrop of Manchester, and spans 1996 to 2000 – a period that marked huge political, social and economic upheaval in the UK. Philip, who starred in Life on Mars, is no stranger to filming on the red-bricked streets and the Harrow-born actor says Manchester as the setting is integral to the story. ‘Yes, I do the accent – I don’t do any other accent! I think I’m actually from Manchester,’ jokes the 51 year old. ‘Those years were such an extraordinary period of social and political history. It saw the end of 18 years of Conservative government – which was just going nowhere – and everyone in the country was fed up. We were crying out for change.’
On Saturday 15th June 1996 shockwaves were felt around the country when the IRA detonated a bomb outside a busy shopping centre in the middle of the city. The tragedy acts as a catalyst in the lives of Samuel, Daniel and his brother Robbo (Steven Mackintosh). For Daniel, the effects hits hard emotionally when he comes to the rescue of Joanne (played by Life on Mars co-star Liz White) and starts a complicated affair with her behind wife Claire’s (Saskia Reeves) back.
As for Manchester born Bernard, returning to film scenes he remembers so well in real life was tough. ‘In lots of ways it was not very pleasant really, especially when you’re filming on the same street as the explosion. But in regards to the drama, it’s good going back into Manchester’s history and seeing all that.'
Total TV Guide imagined a Willy Wonka-style establishment when we were invited to visit a sweet factory in Wigan, which is used as one of the sets for a new three-part drama series. The plant, which makes Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls, is posing as fictional company, ‘Cotton’s Confectionery’ – a family run business encompassing three generations which is headed up by Samuel Cotton (Bernard Hill).
A man of traditions, Samuela hates change, which causes conflict with his adopted son Daniel (Philip Glenister) and his grandson Charlie (Daniel Rigby). However he eventually comes to realise that the factory has to modernise if it’s to survive. ‘It’s great being here because the guys who own the factory have almost the same story to the one in the drama,’ explains Boys From the Blackstuff star Bernard, 69. ‘It’s all about how things are altering all the time and how they’ve had to change with the times. Daniel’s son Charlie is pushing the firm into a new area, and I suppose the metaphor for our series is the same – you either adapt or you die. It’s like everything else.’
The series is set against the backdrop of Manchester, and spans 1996 to 2000 – a period that marked huge political, social and economic upheaval in the UK. Philip, who starred in Life on Mars, is no stranger to filming on the red-bricked streets and the Harrow-born actor says Manchester as the setting is integral to the story. ‘Yes, I do the accent – I don’t do any other accent! I think I’m actually from Manchester,’ jokes the 51 year old. ‘Those years were such an extraordinary period of social and political history. It saw the end of 18 years of Conservative government – which was just going nowhere – and everyone in the country was fed up. We were crying out for change.’
On Saturday 15th June 1996 shockwaves were felt around the country when the IRA detonated a bomb outside a busy shopping centre in the middle of the city. The tragedy acts as a catalyst in the lives of Samuel, Daniel and his brother Robbo (Steven Mackintosh). For Daniel, the effects hits hard emotionally when he comes to the rescue of Joanne (played by Life on Mars co-star Liz White) and starts a complicated affair with her behind wife Claire’s (Saskia Reeves) back.
As for Manchester born Bernard, returning to film scenes he remembers so well in real life was tough. ‘In lots of ways it was not very pleasant really, especially when you’re filming on the same street as the explosion. But in regards to the drama, it’s good going back into Manchester’s history and seeing all that.'
The drama is a bit unusual because, yes, Philip Glenister’s Daniel is the protagonist, but all of the other characters have their own interesting stories in their own right. It’s not often you get a big show that isn’t all about murders, coppers, and hospitals – although we do involve a lot of them. But this is about life and relationships and being grown-ups. I think that there’s a hunger for that among actors and hopefully audiences as well. But it’s not always grim up north. This is also a celebration of Manchester, and that very specific world-view Mancunians have – that incredible ability to overcome adversity. In the end, that’s what this drama is about – forgiveness and compassion. It’s also about moving on and keeping your head up.'
- Producer Tim Bricknell
