The Sharp End

1991 · Ended · 1 season · 8 episodes · Comedy · United Kingdom

Creator Roy Clarke · Channel BBC One · Starring Gwen Taylor, James Cosmo, Philip Martin Brown

The Sharp End was a 1991 British television comedy drama starring Gwen Taylor, James Cosmo and Philip Martin Brown. It was written by Roy Clarke and directed by Brian Parker and David Penn, and ran for eight episodes on BBC1 from 12 April 1991. Taylor took the leading role of Celia Forrest, a recent widow who had decided to take on the running of her late husband's Debt Collection Agency. However, her decision to do this was much to the displeasure of her more ruthless business rival, who tried everything in his power to close her business down. James Cosmo also starred as Carmichael, an illiterate hermit who was hired by Forrest as her assistant. He spent much of the series riding around on a pushbike with a tape recorder on which Forrest would record instructions of his tasks for the day. The duo managed to keep the company running, but the series was less successful, and was cancelled after one season.
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Episodes

8 episodes · April 1991 – May 1991
  1. Episode 1: Episode 1April 12, 1991
  2. Episode 2: Episode 2April 19, 1991
    With the illiterate Carmichael on-board as her new assistant Celia battles her unruly daughter and competitor intimidation. Carmichael discovers debt collecting isn't simple. She chases a debt owed by a bankrupt suing insurance companies.
  3. Episode 3: Episode 3April 26, 1991
    Barras poaches one of Celia's clients, she challenges the double glazing firm to give her one last try to collect their three worst debts to prove her worth. Celia's daughter gets expelled from private school.
  4. Episode 4: Episode 4May 3, 1991
    Barras and Celia are chasing the same debtor (Warboys), Celia's daughter is back home having been expelled, Crystal's boyfriend has been hitting her. Warboys owes money all over town and with a string of ex-wives and girlfriends as well.
  5. Episode 5: Episode 5May 10, 1991
    Celia is chasing an indebted road haulier with dodgy operations. His drivers bend the rules and his wife gets on his nerves. Barras has attracted the unwanted attention of the authorities. Celia's daughter is moping.
  6. Episode 6: Episode 6May 17, 1991
    Barras isn't getting on with his wife and Celia isn't getting on with Carmichael and a blue Mercedes . Barras is annoyed that Celia's business hasn't folded yet and ups the ante. But has he taken one step too far when turning the screw?
Show 2 more episodes
  1. Episode 7: Episode 7May 24, 1991
    Barras Senior has got Religion unnerving Barras Junior. Celia is up at the Small Claims Court with a client and her dim partner while someone crashes into her car when Carmichael was driving it. Crystal's boyfriend turns up.
  2. Episode 8: Episode 8May 31, 1991
    Barras's marriage is on the rocks, Carmichael has a lady friend, Celia has work and her Mother has Barras Senior. Celia's daughter brings Crystal's boyfriend back to the house and gets caught by Celia's Mother.

Credits

Film and series details

EPISODE LENGTH
50 minutes
FIRST AIRED
April 12, 1991
LAST AIRED
May 31, 1991

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