| Funland | |
|---|---|
DVD Cover of Funland |
|
| Genre | comedy/thriller |
| Created by | Jeremy Dyson Simon Ashdown |
| Starring | Daniel Mays Kris Marshall Burn Gorman Sarah Smart Ian Puleston-Davies Judy Parfitt Kenny Doughty Frances Barber |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 11 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 1x60 minutes 10x30 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC Three |
| Original run | Sunday 23 October 2005 – Monday 7 November 2005 |
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.
Contents |
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. 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.
Episode Guide and Crew details are supplied from TV.com
| # | Episode | Writer/s | Director | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episode One | Jeremy Dyson & Simon Ashdown | Dearbhla Walsh | 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 | 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 | 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. | ||||
The complete boxset was released in 2006.
| DVD | Release date |
|---|---|
| The Complete First Series (2 discs) | 26 June 2006 |