TV series

Bread

Name: Bread
Released: 1986
Cast: Jean Boht, Bryan Murray, Graham Bickley, Nick Conway, Jonathon Morris

1986–1991· 7 seasons· 30 min episodes★ 7.0Ended

On BBC One

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Where to watch

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Synopsis

Bread is a British television sitcom, written by Carla Lane, produced by the BBC and screened on BBC1 from 1 May 1986 to 3 November 1991. The series focused on the devoutly-Catholic and extended Boswell family of Liverpool, in the district of Dingle, led by its matriarch Nellie through a number of ups and downs as they tried to make their way through life in Thatcher's Britain with no visible means of support. The street shown at the start of each programme is Elswick Street. A family called Boswell had also featured in Lane's earlier sitcom The Liver Birds and Lane admitted in interviews that the two families were probably related. Nellie's feckless and estranged husband, Freddie, left her for another woman known as 'Lilo Lill'. Her children Joey, Jack, Adrian, Aveline and Billy continued to live in the family home in Kelsall Street and contributed money to the central family fund, largely through benefit fraud and the sale of stolen goods.

Themes

mother northern england liverpool, england scam family unemployment benefits sitcom

Episodes

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E1 Episode 1Next upMay 1, 1986 · 30 min
Synopsis
The family talks about their dreams and what they hope to achieve in the future. Over breakfast discussions develop about working and what the individual members of the Boswell family do. None appear to have any sort of regular income except Adrian who is in real estate.
Guest stars: Pamela Power (DHSS Clerk), Eddie Ross (Mr. Kelly), Ben Davis (Boy), Josie Kidd (DHSS Claimant), Janet Davies (DHSS Claimant), Tony Scoggo (Van Driver)
E2 Episode 2May 8, 1986 · 30 min
Synopsis
Billy buys a ring for Julie, but later learns that opals are bad luck and is told to get rid of it.
Guest stars: Roy Brandon (Cyclist), Pamela Sholto (May), Barbara New (May's Neighbour), Leslie Rogers (Benny), Barry McCarthy (RSPCA Warden), Ishia Bennison (DHSS Clerk), Pauline Chamberlain (DHSS Clerk)
E3 Episode 3May 15, 1986 · 30 min
Synopsis
Freddie Boswell makes a return to his family home. He gets a cool reception from his wife and children.
Guest stars: Ronald Forfar (Freddie Boswell), J.G. Devlin (Father Dooley), Robbie Dee (Man at Docks), Tom Ryan (George), Georgina Smith (Mary)
E4 Episode 4May 22, 1986 · 30 min
Synopsis
A photographer suggests Aveline should pose topless and wishes he hadn't. Jack makes an unsuccessful entry into the art world.
Guest stars: Ronald Forfar (Freddie Boswell), Michael J. Jackson (Photographer), Jackie Downey (Waitress), Susanna Page (Street Singer)
E5 Episode 5May 29, 1986 · 30 min
Synopsis
Freddie's sea-faring brother has died and the Boswells decide to arrange a burial at sea.
Guest stars: Ronald Forfar (Freddie Boswell), Pamela Power (DHSS Clerk), Pauline Chamberlain (DHSS Clerk), J.G. Devlin (Father Dooley), Al T. Kossy (Funeral Bearer), Christopher Ellison (DHSS Claimant)
E6 Episode 6Jun 5, 1986 · 30 min
Synopsis
Billy finds out that he is to become a father, Joey learns of his dad's gambling debt, Adrian is made redundant, Aveline's nude pictures are published and Jack buries a stolen candlestick in his Grandma's grave.
Guest stars: Ronald Forfar (Freddie Boswell), Barry McCarthy (RSPCA Warden), J.G. Devlin (Father Dooley), Charles Lawson (Yizzel), Simon Rouse (Yizzel's Mate), Noel Collins (Mr. Hayworth), Danny Cunningham (Youth), Tom Price (Youth)