Fun
Where the Heart Is
Dear Ann,
A couple of weeks ago, still feeling that Christmas-morning feeling about my shiny new Britbox subscription, I clicked on “Where the Heart Is,” a long-running British television series that began in 1997. I picked it mostly because it featured two of my favorite British television actors: Pam Ferris and Sarah Lancashire, and also because I vaguely remembered my friend Julie saying that it had assuaged her grief when she ran out of episodes of “Last Tango in Halifax.” (That’s some hard times, right there.)
“Where the Heart Is” is a fuzzy, homey, lovey-dovey series about family relationships in the mythical Yorkshire town of Skelthwaite, where not a lot happens, but they make the most of anything that does. Because the lead women characters—Ferris and Lancashire—work as district nurses (what we’d call visiting nurses here in the US), each episode also features a minor (sometimes major, but usually minor) medical issue involving an Eccentric Single-Episode Character. If I had to describe “Where the Heart Is” to US viewers of schmaltzy TV, I’d say it’s like the writers of “Thirtysomething” and “Marcus Welby, M.D.” joined forces to unleash something diabolically wholesome and heartwarming on the world. They succeeded wildly.
Everyone means well in Skelthwaite. There are no evil Skelthwaithians. Sure, once in a while somebody steals a baby or sets a house on fire, but not without good reason. Skelthwaithians aren’t notable for ambition or witty repartee. Eyebrows are raised if anyone wanders as far as Leeds. The town’s main business is a toilet paper factory, where, as far as I can tell, they haven’t quite figured out the finer points of automation. They field a hapless rugby team. They spend a lot of time in the pub. Above all else, they love Skelthwaite.
One of the best parts of watching “Where the Heart Is,” is being able to look ahead to the roles that Ferris and Lancashire have played since then. They were good then, and they are great now. No doubt, they learned a lot in Skelthwaite.
I’m watching it on Britbox, and Amazon Prime Video is streaming 8 seasons of “Where the Heart Is.”
Love,
Kay
In the MDK Shop
Thank you Ann for that amusing description of a show and those 2 giants of British TV that we love too! We are expat Brits on our way home to Canada from Vienna and sitting at the airport – knitting while waiting of course! (Well I am but my husband is a knitting widower!) I am now going to listen to that Kaffe Fassett interview I was saving for this moment.
Season 5 of Last Tango in Halifax started on 23rd February here in the UK, so we’ve seen 3 episodes and it’s been brilliant so far. The fourth and (I hate to write this) the last episode is on BBC1 tonight. There are several loose ends and I can’t believe they will all be tied up in one episode.
Oops sorry. Last episode next week. Still only 4 episodes though – far too short…
There is a new season of Last Tango in Halifax due to be released in the US sometime soon.
Oh no! I didn’t realise tonight’s was the last episode! Boo!!! Why do all the rubbish programmes go on forever, and the good ones only have four episides?
Is Call the Midwife on Britbox? It’s very good
It’s on Netflix! One of our favorite shows.
I love BritBox! I need something new to watch to encourage me to finish a last sleeve on a top down sweater on tiny needles. This sounds perfect.
Thanks I need a new show. I just finished Cold Feet, on britbox, loved it.
I’ve watched all of those series, and another good one is When Calls the Heart, about a Mountie and the settlers that have moved west with Lori Laughlin. it’s on Netflix.
This sounds like exactly the level of drama I am currently equipped to handle. Move over, Netflix. Thanks, Kay.
May I suggest another subscription that is fabulous to knit to…try Acorn. Australian production series like “Bed of Roses” and “The Heart Guy” are fabulous. They are as good as the British shows but more modern. I highly recommend them!
Thanks for the Acorn recommendations. I love Acorn and am always looking for more great shows.
Sounds perfect. I only have four more seasons of Vera to go.
Just thank you
I have just found your shop and blog. What inspiration! I’m a new knitter but long time fiber lover. Kaffe Fasset what a great show.Thank you. I’m hooked.
Happy Pi Day and welcome to the mob! I’ve been having a lot of fun since finding MDK, everyone is so friendly. It’s really pushed my knitting horizons. They’ve seen me through cables and two sweaters so far and I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Pam Ferris is Laura Thyme in the entertaining mystery series Rosemary and Thyme, also on Britbox. Give it a try!
I got rid of my TV years ago. I discovered Brit-Box by accident and I love the programs. I am so glad that you have mentioned it to share with others.
Many Thanks
I was just looking for a new show to use my Christmas Britbox subscription. Did everyone get Britbox this year with the sale? I got it to finish Shetland .
Another great show is Ballykissangel. It does have sad moments but mostly it is life and funny. Of course we love it also because one of the main characters is a young 30thirty something Roman Catholic priest and my husband is a clergy person in a small suburban town, so the church life stuff both resonants and makes us laugh. Americans don’t do clergy well but the Brits do.
❤️❤️❤️ Shetland! 2 more seasons coming!
Not so fast..,.filming now delayed https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2020/03/14/filming-for-new-shetland-series-on-hold
Thanks for this recommendation! Have been watching almost nightly…love it. What is it about British shows?