Joe Ging

In the 1830's in northern England, Riah Millican, a widow with three children, takes a job as housekeeper to a reclusive former teacher, Percival Miller. Miller makes Riah the gift of a black velvet gown, and even educates her children. But when Riah discovers the reason behind Miller's gifts, she vows to leave his house, but Miller has a hold on her, even after his death, when he leaves his house to her on the condition that she never marry. Riah's daughter, Biddy, grows up and becomes a laundress in a large house where her education keeps her from fitting in and makes her a target. But it also catches the eye of a son of the house, and with Miller's legacies, Biddy may yet find her way to happiness.

The Gambling Man is a three-part British television drama based on Catherine Cookson's 1975 novel of the same name. Produced by Tyne Tees Television for ITV, the serial stars Robson Green, Stephanie Putson, Ian Cullen, and David Nellist. Dissatisfied with his life, Tyneside rent collector Rory Connor decides to use his talents as a card player to improve his situation. He's soon able to purchase a boatyard and marry his childhood sweetheart Janie Waggett, but his success is built on a tangle of lies and deceit. Never one to shy away from high stakes, Rory is in the game of his life when he's asked to make the ultimate sacrifice for his brother.

Set in working class Newcastle, the Stott family fight their private battles against the backdrop of the conflict of World War II. Helen Stott, over thirty and with a limp, is resigned to being left on the shelf until she meets and falls in love with Norman, a serviceman from London. In contrast, her younger sister Joyce has quite a way with men, and finds herself a little too popular with the troops, especially when her husband pops up on leave from his regiment.

Incendiary 1981 Play for Today, written by Jim Allen and directed by Roland Joffé that tells the story of a group of housing estate residents who attempt to organise against persistent rent rises.

When four shipbuilders are made redundant they decide that as a protest they will launch the ship they have been working on.