Capital City (TV series)

For centers of government and politics, see Capital (political). For the fictional city in The Simpsons, see Capital City (The Simpsons).
Capital City
Starring Douglas Hodge
Jason Isaacs
Trevyn McDowell
Joanna Kanska
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 2
No. of episodes 23
Production
Location(s) London
Running time 50 minutes
Release
Original network ITV
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
Original release 26 September 1989 (1989-09-26) – 20 December 1990 (1990-12-20)

Capital City is a television series which focused on the professional and personal lives of a group of investment bankers working in the dealing room at Shane-Longman, a fictional international bank based in the City of London. The 23-episode series was produced by Euston Films, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thames Television, for the ITV network.

Thames Television spent an estimated £500,000 to run newspaper and billboard advertisements to promote the series' launch which at the time was believed to be the largest advertising spend for a program in the history of ITV. Full-page advertisements were taken in six national newspapers including The Financial Times, The Times and The Independent. The ads promoted the Shane-Longman "brand", rather than "Capital City", and featured images of cast members in character.[1]

Thames Television stated that the press and poster ads were considered necessary to raise the profile of the series amongst members of the public who had a specialised or more professional interest, however a number of City bankers described the series as "fairly inaccurate", "confusing for the ordinary viewer", and lacking solid research.[1] One television critic stated: "All of this would have been quite novel and exciting three years ago, but the world has turned, the market has crashed and we have all seen enough of other people's Porsches to last a lifetime... City hustlers do not look very heroic any more, just extravagantly paid."[2]

Still, it could be argued that most of the characters in "Capital City" - perhaps with the exception of the reckless and predatory Jimmy Destry, power-hungry Lee Wolf and the duplicitous Sylvia Roux Teng - portray City bankers in a generally positive manner. The primary characters come across as likeable and - in contrast to the Gordon Gekko "greed is good" stereotype often associated with their industry - as possessing a moral and/or social conscience; in one episode, the entire dealing room threatens to go on strike in protest against handling a bond issue on behalf of a company which dumps toxic waste in poor African countries and demand that Shane-Longman introduce policies which enable them to avoid dealing with clients who they regard as unethical.[3]

Capital City is very much a product of its time: the women wore big hair, everyone wore shoulder pads, the dealing room computers used what appeared to be a DOS operating system, mobile phones were the size of bricks, the primary methods of long-distance, "instant" communication were still the phone, fax and telex, and smoking was permitted in the workplace as well as restaurants and bars. At the same time, the series dealt with several mature storylines including alcoholism, depression, mental illness, sexual assault of a minor, drug use, homosexuality, physical assault, gambling addiction, prostitution, promiscuity, shoplifting, fraud, bribery, corruption and abortion.

Cast

The main cast (in alphabetical order as shown in the series credits) included:

The supporting cast included Mark Burns as Peter Longman (who owned 30 per cent of the bank, hence the name Shane-Longman), Briony Glassco as Gail Martin, Leonard's loyal PA, and actress Louise Lombard who appeared as Louise, a 17-year-old runaway who is befriended by Chas[7] and is later assaulted by Jimmy.[8]

Characters

Episode list

Series 1 (13 episodes):

Series 2 (10 episodes):

Episode detail

Series 1 (1989)

# No. Title Director Writer Original transmission date Duration
1.11"Second Quarter Figures"Paul SeedAndrew Maclear26 September 1989 (1989-09-26)50 minutes
It's Monday morning on the trading floor of Shane-Longman, a London-based international bank. The market has been erratic, nobody is getting it right and with the US trade figure due, the dealers are under pressure to improve on last month's performance. Several members of the board are critical of the 'maverick' image of the trading floor. Heads may roll. Meanwhile, Hudson's mentally unwell wife abandons him and their infant son, and Chas Ewell befriends Louise, a 17-year-old runaway.[7]
1.22"Insider Trading"Sarah HellingsAndrew Maclear3 October 1989 (1989-10-03)50 minutes
A serious problem looms at Shane-Longman. Leonard Ansen, the Senior Director of Banking Activities, and Wendy's closest ally on the top floor, is in trouble with the DTI. He is suspected of insider trading and is forced to inform the board of his situation. Lee Wolf, the Director of Corporate Finance, and Ralph Goldring, the Director of Finance, demand Leonard's resignation; however, when CEO James Farrell and major shareholder Peter Longman put their support behind Leonard, it is Ralph Goldring who is forced out.
1.33"Thanksgiving"Paul SeedAndrew Maclear10 October 1989 (1989-10-10)50 minutes
It's Friday evening. The market is winding down. Sirkka is flying to Copenhagen for the weekend to see her boyfriend, Sven, and is about to leave when she hears that Aristotle has dropped out of an important deal she has set up. She must find another player fast as the deal has to be in place by Monday morning. Sirkka confronts Aristotle in a nearby bar and ends up with a black eye.
1.44"Max in Trouble"Mike VardyMatthew Bardsley17 October 1989 (1989-10-17)50 minutes
Declan is having a dinner party for Max, Michelle and Sophie - an art dealer who likes Max and whom Max, for his part, seems to like as well until he discovers she used to use drugs and, he feels, might start using again. Max, though, seems far more interested in a potential deal, making a killing in some bonds by selling now while the price is high and buying back once the price has fallen. Jimmy and Chas fall out after Jimmy sexually assaults Louise, a 17-year-old runaway, following a night of partying.[8]
1.55"Pension Fund"Sarah HellingsAndrew Maclear24 October 1989 (1989-10-24)50 minutes
Leonard has spent a year wooing back a major client, the Municipal Pension Fund, and he assigns the job of advising them to Declan, the bank's senior dealer. Unforeseen problems threaten the deal that Declan is setting up for the bank thanks to Jimmy, a junior dealer.
1.66"Newspaper Story"Mike VardyCharles Jennings31 October 1989 (1989-10-31)50 minutes
Jimmy Destry meets journalist Sarah Douglas at a private party, Not realising her profession, he divulges potentially damaging information about his colleagues and the departure of Ralph Goldring, Shane-Longman's former Finance Director. The article is later published in the London Evening Post and includes unfavourable references to team members including a "Scandinavian cow", which Sirkka believes is her. It is later revealed that Max and Sarah were once lovers.
1.77"Rainforest"Paul SeedAndrew Maclear7 November 1989 (1989-11-07)50 minutes
Hudson Talbot, Shane-Longman's capital markets originator, is woken in the middle of the night by his colleague, Max Lubin, the Bank's Director of Swaps. Hudson is persuaded, reluctantly, to discuss what sounds like another of Max's unorthodox but possibly brilliant schemes.
1.88"Takeover"Sarah HellingsAndrew Maclear14 November 1989 (1989-11-14)50 minutes
A dawn raid has occurred and Friedmans, a rival bank, has acquired 15 per cent of Shane-Longman's shares. A takeover is threatened. Chief Executive James Farrell tries to contact Peter Longman, the bank's major shareholder, only to discover that he is fishing somewhere off the north-west coast of Tahiti and cannot be reached.
1.99"Japanese Fund"Mike VardyAndrew Maclear21 November 1989 (1989-11-21)50 minutes
Peter Longman is in ebullient spirits. As Shane-Longman's major shareholder, he has secured a deal with Tokyo-based Ikeda Bank to set up a joint venture. The signing of the agreement between the two banks is to be widely covered by the City press. Leonard Ansen is not so enthusiastic and believes Longman has rushed into the deal too quickly without considering the long-term implications of the tie-up. Ikeda executives give some indication of their desire to eventually take over Shane-Longman but walk away from the deal after being less than impressed by what they perceived as a lack of discipline in the dealing room.
1.1010"Max in Space"Robert WalkerMatthew Bardsley28 November 1989 (1989-11-28)50 minutes
Max and Hudson have completed a deal with the Pan Mediterranean Fund, an EEC entity which offers finance to the poorer areas of Europe. Jerome Heron is a difficult character but his deputy, Monique Danvier, is far more likeable.
1.1111"Twelve Degrees Capricorn"Sarah HellingsAndrew Maclear5 December 1989 (1989-12-05)50 minutes
Eyebrows are raised when Max employs astrology to predict major deals. Thrill-seeking Sirkka enters dangerous territory when she becomes a high-class prostitute and discovers that risk isn't confined to the dealing room floor.[12]
1.1212"Max in Poland"Mike VardyAndrew Maclear12 December 1989 (1989-12-12)50 minutes
Whilst finalising an awkward deal in Warsaw, Max becomes very taken by Maxine, who works in an art gallery. Meanwhile, Sirkka hits rock bottom when she collapses with alcoholic poisoning and is rushed to hospital.
1.1313"Hard Drugs and Snails"Paul SeedAndrew Maclear19 December 1989 (1989-12-19)50 minutes
Wendy is promoted to become the new Head of Derivatives and is replaced as Chief Trader on the floor by the hard-boiled Sylvia Roux Teng. Sirkka gets a wake-up call and decides to join Alcoholics Anonymous. Jimmy Destry is sacked for malpractice after Declan discovers his off-market trades.[4]

Series 2 (1990)

No. No. Title Director Writer Original transmission date Duration
2.114"Toxic Waste Syndrome"Mike VardyAndrew Maclear18 October 1990 (1990-10-18)50 minutes
Sirkka investigates a corporate client's background and her passionate reaction brings her into serious conflict with her colleagues and the Bank's executives.[5]
2.215"Swami's In Town"Clive FleuryAndrew Maclear25 October 1990 (1990-10-25)50 minutes
Michelle and her new assistant, Hilary, are puzzled by a client who balks at making a profit, and Max is surprised to find that Sylvia - the new Head Trader - believes that his job is not essential to the Bank.
2.316"The Gnome From Zurich"Diarmuid LawrenceAndrew Maclear1 November 1990 (1990-11-01)50 minutes
The beautiful Claudine – an old friend of Declan's – persuades him into a deal he soon regrets. Michelle is unsympathetic as he gets into more and more difficulty, but the Bank softball match gives her the chance to help him out.
2.417"Shoes on the Wrong Foot"Mike VardyAndrew Maclear8 November 1990 (1990-11-08)50 minutes
Lee Wolf travels to Prague to complete a multi-million dollar deal but his acquiescence in a colleague's questionable arrangements gets him into difficulty.[14]
2.518"Ethical Investments"Clive FleuryTom Greenwood15 November 1990 (1990-11-15)50 minutes
Hilary's job is threatened when Sylvia tries to convince the Bank's executives that they need staff cuts. The deal which might save her looks like it's going wrong. Sirkka faces a personal trauma on her own.
2.619"Headhunting"Diarmuid LawrenceAndrew Maclear22 November 1990 (1990-11-22)50 minutes
Declan and Michelle are having a difficult time. Declan wonders whether things would be better if they did not work together. As it happens, he is approached by another bank but he is unsure why.
2.720"Strange Attractions"Mike VardyRichard O'Keefe29 November 1990 (1990-11-29)50 minutes
Hudson unwillingly introduces his friend, Danny, to the trading floor. Danny is an expert in chaos theory, and starts giving good advice. Sylvia is impressed and thinks Danny should be part of the team. Michelle and Hilary get involved with a deal for an attractive tycoon. For Michelle, it's just business, but Hilary hopes it might be more.
2.821"Strange Fruits"Clive FleuryAndrew Maclear6 December 1990 (1990-12-06)50 minutes
Hudson is embroiled in a difficult issue. The childminder has left and Hudson's mother – visiting from the United States – is standing in and looking after his son. Inevitably there's friction. Sirkka finds that she has to look closely at her relationship with her friend, Yolande.
2.922"A Wolf In Wolf's Clothing"Diarmuid LawrenceAndrew Maclear13 December 1990 (1990-12-13)50 minutes
Contrary to the image he projects at the Bank, Lee Wolf is a gambler and an unlucky one. His debts put his job and his personal life in jeopardy. He has to pull off something big to survive. While things get worse for Wolf, however, they get better for Declan and Michelle, who have a big decision to make.
2.1023"The Wedding"Mike VardyAndrew Maclear20 December 1990 (1990-12-20)50 minutes
Sylvia saddles Hilary and Chas with an unsaleable issue and won't accept that the problem has been caused by her. Hilary's attempts to sort things out are complicated by the fact that everyone at the Bank is off to the wedding of the year.

Production credits

Series trivia

Series quotes

Broadcast information

"Capital City" was originally broadcast in the UK on the ITV network between 26 September 1989 and 20 December 1990. The series was also transmitted in Australia by the national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Despite its short run in the UK, the series was rebroadcast on UKTV Gold as well as a small number of PBS stations in the United States and the CBC in Canada.

Availability

The complete series of 23 episodes have been released on DVD.

References

  1. 1 2 Cochrane, Hugh. 'A great gamble as the full-page ads run on', in "The Glasgow Herald", Glasgow: 4 October 1989
  2. 1 2 3 Stead, Deborah. 'To start with...; On the Telly, a tale of swaps', in "The New York Times", New York: 3 December 1989
  3. 'Ethical Investments', Director: Clive Fleury; Writer: Tom Greenwood. "Capital City", Euston Films, ‘episode 18, series 2. Original air date: 15 November 1990
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 'Hard Drugs and Snails', Director: Paul Seed; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, episode 13, series 2. Original air date: 19 December 1989
  5. 1 2 3 ‘Toxic Waste Syndrome’, Director: Mike Vardy; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, episode 14, series 2. Original air date: 18 October 1990
  6. 1 2 ‘Swami's in Town’, Director: Clive Fleury; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, episode 15, series 2. Original air date: 25 October 1990
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 ‘Second Quarter Figures’, Director: Paul Seed; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, episode 1, series 1. Original air date: 26 September 1989
  8. 1 2 3 'Max in Trouble', Director: Mike Vardy; Writer: Matthew Bardsley. "Capital City", Euston Films, episode 4, series 1. Original air date: 17 October 1989
  9. 'Headhunting', Director: Diarmuid Lawrence; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, episode 19, series 2. Original air date: 22 November 1990
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 'The Wedding', Director: Mike Vardy; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, ‘episode 23, series 2. Original air date: 20 December 1990
  11. 'Strange Fruits', Director: Clive Fleury; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, ‘episode 21, series 2. Original air date: 6 December 1990
  12. 1 2 ‘Twelve Degrees Capricorn’, Director: Sarah Hellings; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, episode 11, series 1. Original air date: 5 December 1989
  13. 1 2 ‘A Wolf in Wolf's Clothing’, Director: Diarmuid Lawrence; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, episode 22, series 2. Original air date: 13 December 1990
  14. 'Shoes on the Wrong Foot', Director: Mike Vardy; Writer: Andrew Maclear. "Capital City", Euston Films, ‘episode 17, series 2. Original air date: 8 November 1990

External links

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