My Family (TV series)
Encyclopedia
My Family is a British television comedy
, created and initially co-written by Fred Barron
, which was produced by DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions, and broadcast by BBC One
for eleven series between 2000 and 2011, with Christmas specials broadcast from 2002 onwards. My Family was voted 24th in the BBC's "Britain's Best Sitcom
" in 2004 and was the most watched sitcom in the United Kingdom in 2008. As of 2011, it is one of only twelve British sitcoms to pass the 100 episode mark.
Set in Chiswick
in west London
, it stars Robert Lindsay
as Ben Harper, Zoë Wanamaker
as his wife Susan, and Kris Marshall
, Daniela Denby-Ashe
and Gabriel Thomson
as their children; Nick, Janey and Michael, respectively. Since the show’s debut, several characters have left and, equally, several new characters have been introduced. The character of Janey left in 2002; however, she returned in 2004 and has remained on the show since. Kris Marshall’s character, Nick, left in 2005 and has not returned. The character of Abi, as played by Siobhan Hayes
, was introduced in 2002 and left in 2008. The characters of Roger and Alfie were introduced in 2003 and 2005, respectively, as played by Keiron Self
and Rhodri Meilir.
The eleventh and final series, which was jointly filmed alongside series 10, began airing on BBC One
on 17 June 2011. BBC One controller Danny Cohen
said: "Now that all the Harper children have fled the nest we feel it's time to make room for new comedies".
and On the Buses
, but was nevertheless atypical. My Family was consciously designed to have wide appeal, with characters that viewers would be able to build a relationship with in the same way as previous BBC sitcom 2point4 children
which focuses around the same family unit.
The show chronicles the Harper family’s lives, a fictional middle-class British
family, who live in 78 Lancaster Road,
Chiswick
, London
. Ben, a dentist
, and Susan, a tour guide
who later works for an art gallery, have three children, Nick, Janey and Michael, all of whom cause problems in their own way. While Susan is a control freak, Ben prefers to leave the children to it and tries not to get involved. Janey later goes to University, but drops out and moves back in later, while Nick finally gets his own place.
Mainly featuring on Ben and Susan, the show has been known to feature on sub-stories from both Nick and his harebrained schemes to Abi and Roger’s love life. It is described as a ‘dysfunctional family
’ style sitcom, however many of the episodes feature the family working together to get each other out of trouble. Nick’s bizarre jobs became a major feature of the first four series. After the departure of Nick, Abi and Roger’s love life, Michael’s schemes, Janey’s endless list of boyfriends and Alfie’s dream of musical stardom have become more prominent.
The show has seen considerable development and change in the lives of its characters, seeing Janey turn from teenage rebel to mother, Nick turn from prat to a responsible-for-himself prat, Abi become Roger’s wife and Michael turn from schoolboy to student and beyond. Nevertheless, Ben remained the same self-absorbed dentist, Susan remained the same control freak and Alfie remained the same dim-witted layabout lodger. The characters of Nick, Brigitte, Abi and Alfie have left the series over the ten years, although Nick has returned for guest appearances a couple of times.
The main characters in My Family are parents Ben and Susan Harper. They have three children, Nick, Janey and Michael. Nick is a regular character until the 2003 Christmas special, and makes one appearance in 2004's fifth series before making his final My Family appearance in the 2005 Comic Relief short as actor Kris Marshall wanted to do other projects and avoid being type-cast. Janey is a regular until the 2002 Christmas special and does not appear in series four (2003), while the character is at University. Janey returns as a main character in series five.
Abi Harper first appears in series three as the daughter of Ben's cousin Richard. Series three also sees the first appearance of Roger Bailey, Jnr. Roger, who becomes a main character in the fourth series, is a dentist and the son of Ben's former mentor. In the 2005 Christmas special Alfie Butts, a friend of Nick's, moves into the Harper household.
My Family also features several recurring characters. Series one features Daisy Donovan
as Ben's dental assistant, Brigitte. In the second series "Stupid" Brian appears as Janey's boyfriend. Series four features Fiona, Michael's girlfriend. That series also sees the introduction of Hubert, a friend of Michael's, and Grace Riggs, Susan's mother, both of whom appear in subsequent series until series seven. A minor recurring character from the 2006 Christmas special to series seven is Denis, the local Vicar. In addition, Mr. Alexander Casey, the Harpers' neighbour, appears in three episodes, "Driving Miss Crazy" (2001), "Neighbour Wars" (2008) and "Mary Christmas" (2010)
from The Thin Blue Line
, Belinda Lang
of 2point4 children
, Diana Weston
from The Upper Hand
who (in a possible reference to a character from her own sitcom) portrayed a male-female transsexual named Charlie, Pauline Quirke
of Birds of a Feather
and Sam Kelly
from On the Up
.
The first series, Ben, a dentist, and Susan, the worst cook in the world, are certainly loving, caring parents, they just have a problem showing it. Ben seems to be confused as to how much time and money his kids demand from him. Susan has to juggle motherhood, a career and a husband and does not have enough time to manage everything including improving her cooking skills. Nick is always working on his next hair-brained scheme to keep him amused. Janey, like any normal teenage daughter feels that her parents are seriously embarrassing whilst Michael keeps his head in his books to get away from the noise.
The second series, Ben Harper, husband and father to three different and often difficult children has spent his working life as a dentist. Just as well as most of his life seems rather like pulling teeth. His wife Susan is usually busy showing foreign tourists around London, a place she knows much better than her own kitchen. Ben and Susan have been married happily enough to have three children. However, Ben has the feeling that most of the time his children seem to speak a different language. Nick (20) has persuaded his parents he would benefit from a gap year to see something of the world. To date, he has hardly seen anything beyond the confines of the sofa. Janey (17) is into boys, fashion labels (expensive ones) and getting her own way. Michael (14) is the brightest of the trio. He is seriously into computers, and, not so seriously (yet) into girls.
In series three, life in the Harper household is as hectic as ever, Janey has left for university and has been replaced in the house by their cousin Abi, who is more than a little accident prone. Ben sees this new addition to their home as a threat to the peace and quiet he's wanted throughout his married life, while Susan is happy to have another woman in the house. As for Michael, he is spending as much time thinking about girls now as his school work. And as if all this was not bad enough for Ben, Nick continued to work on his next hair-brained scheme, whether than means starring as Jesus in the local nativity play or dressing up as a drag queen!
In the fourth series, Susan is looking forward to the birth of her first grandchild, but dreading being a grandmother. Nick is getting fed up with living in his ghastly flat and trying to think of a way to move back into the family home. The gap between Michael's IQ and the rest of the family's seems to be increasing, but so is his libido. And Abi is still Abi, only more so! As for perennially put-upon Ben, what with a new arrival causing chaos in the surgery, being forced to take tango lessons and being officially declared dead, life is just one long major-league cirsis.
In Series five, Ben and Susan are enjoying some new-found tranquility, Nick has moved into his own flat, Janey is at university and Abi is usually out at evening class. Naturally the peace is not to last! Janey comes back home with baby Kenzo and Michael has been "born again" and is holding Bible study sessions in the living room. With Ben's famous dental patients, Susan's election ambitions and an unheathly obsession with Inspector Morse - not to mention the unlikely perils of house-sitting in a luxury modern apartment - domestic life is soon to be back to normal. So when Ben and Susan start being nice to each other it's no wonder Abi's suspicious; they could not be getting a divorce could they?
In the sixth series, Janey and son Kenzo spend much more time at the Harper house than is good for Ben, and Micheal moves from scam to scam with alarming ease. Add to that the ever-so-slowly blossoming of the Abi-Roger romance and the new cuckoo in the nest, wiser-than-he-looks Alfie Butts and the problems multiply. The family's hurdles include Ben joining a secret society (The Brotherhood of the Cockerel), Suasn's new job leading her to a dinner date with a new man and an encounter with squatters. In other words, as usual, problems and situations constantly conspire to remind Ben and Susan that 'Family' is an 'F' word.
In the seventh series, a mystery man arrives asking for Janey - Susan finally discovers the identity of Kenzo's father. Roger and Abi's marriage announcement gives Susan the idea to renew her marriage vows despite protests from Ben. A death in the dentist's chair is not very good for business, but, as Ben discovers, it is not very good for your private life either. Michael succeeds in placing the whole family on The Weakest Link, but Anne Robinson raises more difficult questions than might have been expected.
In the eighth series, love is in the air in the Harper house. Ben is in love - with an extremely large television; Janey is in love with a new man; and Michael's current love has announced that she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Ben and Susan's credit card statement highlights each of their secret vices and an armed robbery at the local bank leads to Ben and Janey being taken as hostages. Michael and Alfie investigate the world of internet dating with mixed results and Abi realises her true vocation in life is to become a nun!
In series nine, chaos, paranoia and misunderstanding - yes, it's life as usual in the Harper household. Ben stands up to - and gets put down by - his own school bully and gets a little jealous as a rich business man falls for Susan - or is that Janey? There are new worries as they discover Michael's seeing a therapist and Ben fails his retraining exam - and, while the family is divided over mean Uncle Norris's inheritance and the acquisition of a puppy, Ben's delighted to discover he's the inspiration for a wealthy if unhappy, celebrity dentist!
In the tenth series, in the second episode ("The Son'll Come Out") Michael comes out as gay to his parents, first to his father after coming home drunk then later to his mother. He then tells them that he has been in a relationship with a guy for some time, a 25 year old solicitor called Scott Marsh, who later moves into the Harper residence, though he is later seen in gay clubs picking up guys and giving out his number, suggesting that he and Scott have broken up, but they later get back together. These comprise of a nine-part tenth series and a seven-part eleventh series.
special short-episode has also aired.
The BBC and UKTV refuse to re-broadcast the series four episode "Blind Justice", due to the receipt of 4 complaints (from a viewing public of 12m). Although no reason was given, as this was not subject to any Ofcom procedure, it is likely that was considered offensive to blind people. This episode is banned from British TV, but it is still on the series four UK DVD release and has been screened on BBC America
.
The episodes are recorded in front of a live audience in Pinewood Studios
, Iver
, Buckinghamshire
, except where the set used is too large, this is then filmed, and played out to an invited audience 'as-live'. Also, the show, unlike most British sitcoms but in common with most American television comedies, has no location footage. Scenes taking place outdoors were actually sets.
The series is scripted by a team of writers, following the American model. Historically, British sitcoms were more generally written by one or two writers. By employing a wider number of writers to brainstorm jokes for each episode, DLT Entertainment UK Ltd, the production company, has been able to maintain a consistent and relatively long-lived product without having to wait for a single writer to produce more material.
At the start of the third series, four rectangle blocks fall onto a completely white screen to create Ben's face. Those blocks are then replaced with blocks that create Susan's face; each block then shows different parts of the other characters to finally reveal Nick's face. It continues to do this for Janey, Michael and (starting from the fourth episode entitled "Of Mice and Ben") the new character to the show Abi. Abi's (for the first three episodes, Michael's) face then falls into the bottom right corner while the previous faces spread across to other places of the white screen. It reveals that Nick, Janey and Michael are next to Abi and Ben and Susan are with each other at the top left of the screen. The logo fades on the top right of the screen.
The fourth series is similar to the third series opening sequence. Only difference is that the photo of each character is changed, each block does not show different parts of each character when it transitions; instead it transitions in various styles, for example in an opening in a window blind style. Series five titles still remain similar; the photos are changed again and there are eleven rectangles instead of four. Nick is almost completely absent from the opening titles in series five except in episode six of series five titled "My Will Be Done"; he was missing in some episodes from series four and a few from series three.
The series six opening titles have cut-outs of each character, as they fade in to the white screen and zoom in and out and eventually stop moving. The line-up from left to right is Abi, Michael, Susan, Ben, Janey and Roger. The titles remain the same for series seven and eight; the one difference is that Janey's clothes are changed. In series nine, the line-up changes due to Abi's departure at the end of the previous series. Her place is taken by Alfie, who has been a regular since series six but never appeared in the titles until the ninth series. Starting in the 2009 Christmas Special, Alfie has been replaced by Kenzo.
. He wrote eight episodes up until the fourth series. Other major writers include James Hendrie and Ian Brown who wrote numerous episodes, including the first episode together up until the 2004 Christmas Special. Steven and Jim Armogida are the only writers to remain on the show throughout its run.
Writers such as Sophie Hetherington, Georgia Pritchett, James Cary and Tess Morris have all written at least one episode for the sitcom at one point. None of these writers have written more than five episodes. Andrea Solomons has written many episodes for My Family, she wrote from the second series to the sixth series. Meanwhile, Darin Henry has written one episode for the fifth series before returning for the eighth series onwards.
Paul Minett and Brian Leveson are the sitcom’s current main writers. Credited for most of the specials, at least three episodes from every series since 2005. Bert-Tyler Moore and George Jeffrie both have written a few episodes for the sitcom in its sixth and seventh series and returned for series ten. Tom Leopold wrote two episodes for the sixth series only. Tom Anderson, currently My Family's executive producer and showrunner, wrote his first episode for series seven and wrote until series ten, but remained showrunner for series eleven. Ed Dyson and David Cantor have written episodes for the seventh, eighth, ninth and eleventh series. Table correct as of episode 120.
Star Zoë Wanamaker said in 2007 that she was no longer happy with the quality of the writing, and claimed she and co-star Robert Lindsay even refused to film one episode because it was so poor.
In May 2009, the two stars revealed they were still unhappy with the writing quality, with Robert Lindsay stating "There's some real dross (in the scripts) and we're aware of it". He later admitted that the eleventh series might be the last stating "As far as Zoe (Wanamaker) and I are concerned, we will do a tenth series of 16 episodes, which the BBC will probably split into a tenth and eleventh, then that will be it."
In 2004, the show came 24th in Britain's Best Sitcom
.
controller Danny Cohen
, when commenting on the decision to axe the series, said "Now that all the Harper children have fled the nest we feel it's time to make room for new comedies". Robert Lindsay
said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph
: "I'm amazed by the public's love for the series [...] When Kris Marshall left in 2005 I was convinced that was it. But somehow Zoe and I have kept the essence of it together."
The decision to axe the series led to a mixed response from viewers, with many such as Miranda Hart
expressing their disappointment, praising the show's acting and characters. Others, however, have praised the decision, with critics saying My Family should have been axed years ago and viewers panning the show, calling the BBC's alternative family sitcom Outnumbered
much better, despite it being much shorter than My Family, year-wise and episode-wise.
and the United States
series one to four are available on Region 1 DVD. In Australia Series one to seven are available on Region 4 DVD. A box set containing Series one to five was released on 7 April 2011 in Australia. Series eight will be released on 6 October 2011 in Australia, however the DVD was available at ABC stores mid September. None of the Christmas Specials are on the Region 4 DVD sets to date. Afters its finale in September 2011, the complete My Family boxset of all episdoes and specials, plus exclusive extras including a never before seen documentary, comic relief mini-episode, audio commentary on selected episodes and outtakes.) is to be released on the 5th December 2011. (Price £60.00 on Amazon
).
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
, created and initially co-written by Fred Barron
Fred Barron
Fred Barron is an American television producer and writer.-As a writer:*After You've Gone*According to Bex*Union Square*My Family*Caroline in the City*Dave's World*The Larry Sanders Show*Sessions*Displaced Person...
, which was produced by DLT Entertainment and Rude Boy Productions, and broadcast by BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
for eleven series between 2000 and 2011, with Christmas specials broadcast from 2002 onwards. My Family was voted 24th in the BBC's "Britain's Best Sitcom
Britain's Best Sitcom
Britain's Best Sitcom was a poll conducted in 2004 by the BBC, to identify the United Kingdom's best situation comedy. Viewers were asked to vote for their favourite by phone, text message and on the web. The top ten went forward to a final round of voting...
" in 2004 and was the most watched sitcom in the United Kingdom in 2008. As of 2011, it is one of only twelve British sitcoms to pass the 100 episode mark.
Set in Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
in west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, it stars Robert Lindsay
Robert Lindsay (actor)
Robert Lindsay is an English actor who is best known for his television work, especially his roles of Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith, Michael Murray in G.B.H., Captain Sir Edward Pellew in Hornblower and Ben Harper in My Family which has been on television screens since 2000.-Early life:Lindsay was...
as Ben Harper, Zoë Wanamaker
Zoe Wanamaker
Zoë Wanamaker, CBE is an American-British actress. She has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company; in films, including the Harry Potter series; and in a number of television productions, including a long-time role as Susan Harper in the sitcom My Family.-Early life and family:Wanamaker was...
as his wife Susan, and Kris Marshall
Kris Marshall
Kristopher "Kris" Marshall is an English actor, best known for his role as Nick Harper in My Family, and as Adam in the adverts for BT Group since 2005.-Career:...
, Daniela Denby-Ashe
Daniela Denby-Ashe
Daniela Denby-Ashe is an English actress, best known for playing the character Janey Harper in the sitcom My Family.-Early life:...
and Gabriel Thomson
Gabriel Thomson
Gabriel Thomson is an English actor, best known for his role as Michael Harper in the British situation comedy series My Family.-Career:...
as their children; Nick, Janey and Michael, respectively. Since the show’s debut, several characters have left and, equally, several new characters have been introduced. The character of Janey left in 2002; however, she returned in 2004 and has remained on the show since. Kris Marshall’s character, Nick, left in 2005 and has not returned. The character of Abi, as played by Siobhan Hayes
Siobhan Hayes
Siobhan Hayes is an actress best known for her role as Abi Harper in the British television series My Family.Hayes portrayed Abi Harper as a dimwitted and clumsy student in the British sitcom My Family, a role she has reprised since 2002 to 2008 when the character was written out of the programme...
, was introduced in 2002 and left in 2008. The characters of Roger and Alfie were introduced in 2003 and 2005, respectively, as played by Keiron Self
Keiron Self
Keiron Self Born 1971 in Newport, Wales, is a Welsh actor and writer most famous for playing Roger Bailey Jnr in the BBC sitcom My Family. His other acting credits include Casualty, Lucky Bag and playing PC Claude Cox in the sitcom High Hopes. He has also provided the voice of Police Chief Llunos...
and Rhodri Meilir.
The eleventh and final series, which was jointly filmed alongside series 10, began airing on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
on 17 June 2011. BBC One controller Danny Cohen
Danny Cohen
Danny Cohen is the current Controller of BBC One, the BBC's flagship television channel in the United Kingdom. He is the youngest person to be appointed as Controller of the channel.- Education :...
said: "Now that all the Harper children have fled the nest we feel it's time to make room for new comedies".
Background
In 1999 Fred Barron was considering producing a British sitcom the same way sitcoms were produced in America. My Family was to feature a group of writers rather than the standard one or two, something that had been attempted in Britain with shows including Goodnight SweetheartGoodnight Sweetheart
Goodnight Sweetheart is a sitcom that ran for six series on BBC1 from 1993 to 1999. It stars Nicholas Lyndhurst as Gary Sparrow, an accidental time traveller who leads a double life after discovering a time portal allowing him to travel between the London of the 1990s and the same area during the...
and On the Buses
On The Buses
On the Buses was a British situation comedy created by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney which was broadcast in the UK from 1969 to 1973. The writers' previous successes with The Rag Trade and Meet the Wife were for the BBC, but the Corporation rejected On the Buses, not seeing much comedy potential...
, but was nevertheless atypical. My Family was consciously designed to have wide appeal, with characters that viewers would be able to build a relationship with in the same way as previous BBC sitcom 2point4 children
2point4 children
2point4 Children is a 1990s British sitcom that was created and written by Andrew Marshall. It follows the lives of the Porter family; an average family that is persistently faced with surreal situations and sheer bad luck....
which focuses around the same family unit.
The show chronicles the Harper family’s lives, a fictional middle-class British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
family, who live in 78 Lancaster Road,
Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Ben, a dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
, and Susan, a tour guide
Tour guide
A tour guide provides assistance, information and cultural, historical and contemporary heritage interpretation to people on organized tours, individual clients, educational establishments, at religious and historical sites, museums, and at venues of other significant interest...
who later works for an art gallery, have three children, Nick, Janey and Michael, all of whom cause problems in their own way. While Susan is a control freak, Ben prefers to leave the children to it and tries not to get involved. Janey later goes to University, but drops out and moves back in later, while Nick finally gets his own place.
Mainly featuring on Ben and Susan, the show has been known to feature on sub-stories from both Nick and his harebrained schemes to Abi and Roger’s love life. It is described as a ‘dysfunctional family
Dysfunctional family
A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often abuse on the part of individual members occur continually and regularly, leading other members to accommodate such actions. Children sometimes grow up in such families with the understanding that such an arrangement is...
’ style sitcom, however many of the episodes feature the family working together to get each other out of trouble. Nick’s bizarre jobs became a major feature of the first four series. After the departure of Nick, Abi and Roger’s love life, Michael’s schemes, Janey’s endless list of boyfriends and Alfie’s dream of musical stardom have become more prominent.
The show has seen considerable development and change in the lives of its characters, seeing Janey turn from teenage rebel to mother, Nick turn from prat to a responsible-for-himself prat, Abi become Roger’s wife and Michael turn from schoolboy to student and beyond. Nevertheless, Ben remained the same self-absorbed dentist, Susan remained the same control freak and Alfie remained the same dim-witted layabout lodger. The characters of Nick, Brigitte, Abi and Alfie have left the series over the ten years, although Nick has returned for guest appearances a couple of times.
Cast and characters
The series featured eight main cast members throughout its run so far, with numerous characters recurring throughout the ten series. The main cast members were familiar to television viewers before their roles on My Family, but not all considered to be stars. During the series' ten series run, the actors all achieved household name celebrity status.The main characters in My Family are parents Ben and Susan Harper. They have three children, Nick, Janey and Michael. Nick is a regular character until the 2003 Christmas special, and makes one appearance in 2004's fifth series before making his final My Family appearance in the 2005 Comic Relief short as actor Kris Marshall wanted to do other projects and avoid being type-cast. Janey is a regular until the 2002 Christmas special and does not appear in series four (2003), while the character is at University. Janey returns as a main character in series five.
Abi Harper first appears in series three as the daughter of Ben's cousin Richard. Series three also sees the first appearance of Roger Bailey, Jnr. Roger, who becomes a main character in the fourth series, is a dentist and the son of Ben's former mentor. In the 2005 Christmas special Alfie Butts, a friend of Nick's, moves into the Harper household.
My Family also features several recurring characters. Series one features Daisy Donovan
Daisy Donovan
Daisy Donovan is an American-born British television presenter, actress and writer.-Early life:Donovan was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Her father was fashion photographer and film director Terence Donovan; her mother Diana Donovan, is chairwoman of the English National Ballet School...
as Ben's dental assistant, Brigitte. In the second series "Stupid" Brian appears as Janey's boyfriend. Series four features Fiona, Michael's girlfriend. That series also sees the introduction of Hubert, a friend of Michael's, and Grace Riggs, Susan's mother, both of whom appear in subsequent series until series seven. A minor recurring character from the 2006 Christmas special to series seven is Denis, the local Vicar. In addition, Mr. Alexander Casey, the Harpers' neighbour, appears in three episodes, "Driving Miss Crazy" (2001), "Neighbour Wars" (2008) and "Mary Christmas" (2010)
Main characters
- Robert LindsayRobert Lindsay (actor)Robert Lindsay is an English actor who is best known for his television work, especially his roles of Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith, Michael Murray in G.B.H., Captain Sir Edward Pellew in Hornblower and Ben Harper in My Family which has been on television screens since 2000.-Early life:Lindsay was...
(118/120) [2000-2011] portrays Ben Harper. Ben Harper is a dentistDentistA dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
who is constantly grumpy and sarcastic. When he is not at work sacking another assistant or trying to avoid fellow-dentist Roger, he is at home trying to relax (which never works). Ben isn't all bad though, behind his moody exterior he does really love his family and has to put up with being bossed about and manipulatedManipulatedManipulated is a remix album by Gravity Kills, released by TVT Records.-Track listing:...
by his wife Susan and continually fleeced for money by his children.
- Zoë WanamakerZoe WanamakerZoë Wanamaker, CBE is an American-British actress. She has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company; in films, including the Harry Potter series; and in a number of television productions, including a long-time role as Susan Harper in the sitcom My Family.-Early life and family:Wanamaker was...
(116/120) [2000-2011] portrays Susan Harper, MBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. Susan Harper is a control freak and very good at getting her way. She is constantly worried about her three children and often forces Ben to go out of his way to monitor or look after them. Susan is a tour guideTour guideA tour guide provides assistance, information and cultural, historical and contemporary heritage interpretation to people on organized tours, individual clients, educational establishments, at religious and historical sites, museums, and at venues of other significant interest...
but seems to spend most of her time at home. She is a terrible cookCookingCooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
, and the rest of the family often have to sneak the foodFoodFood is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...
she has prepared into the bin without her noticing.
- Gabriel ThomsonGabriel ThomsonGabriel Thomson is an English actor, best known for his role as Michael Harper in the British situation comedy series My Family.-Career:...
(114/120) [2000-2011] portrays Michael Harper. Michael (or 'Mikey' as Ben calls him) is the youngest of Ben and Susan's children. He is a smart, clever geeky adolescent. He looks down on his family as he is more sensible than the rest of them put together and often ends up having to get them out of trouble. It seems that since he started going to university he has become more of a rebelRebellionRebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
, with his bleached hair and piercings. In series 10, Michael comes out and tells his family that he is gay, which is accepted by the family to his relief.
- Daniela Denby-AsheDaniela Denby-AsheDaniela Denby-Ashe is an English actress, best known for playing the character Janey Harper in the sitcom My Family.-Early life:...
(94/120) [2000-2002; 2004-2011] portrays Janey Harper. Fashion conscious, money loving, boy mad Janey spends all her time on the phone, switching boyfriends or pestering Ben for money so she can go shopping. Whilst at Manchester University (spending yet more of her dad's money) Janey got pregnant. She was chucked out and so returned home to once again take advantage of her parents. Susan does not seem to mind as it means she now has Kenzo Harper to look after.
- Keiron SelfKeiron SelfKeiron Self Born 1971 in Newport, Wales, is a Welsh actor and writer most famous for playing Roger Bailey Jnr in the BBC sitcom My Family. His other acting credits include Casualty, Lucky Bag and playing PC Claude Cox in the sitcom High Hopes. He has also provided the voice of Police Chief Llunos...
(59/120) [2002-2011] portrays Roger Bailey. Roger is the over-enthusiastic dentist who works in the same building as Ben. He often turns up at the Harper household un-invited and proceeds to un-intentionally annoy Ben. For a long period Roger was trying to build up the courage to ask Abi out on a date. They were, after all, ideally suited - like Abi, Roger possesses no common sense and is gullible. Eventually they did marry but have since split as Abi has decided to become a nun. He's now a part-time policeman as well a dentist.
- Siobhan HayesSiobhan HayesSiobhan Hayes is an actress best known for her role as Abi Harper in the British television series My Family.Hayes portrayed Abi Harper as a dimwitted and clumsy student in the British sitcom My Family, a role she has reprised since 2002 to 2008 when the character was written out of the programme...
(57/120) [2002-2008] portrays Abi Harper. Abi moved in to the Harper household in the third series. She is Ben's first cousin once removed ... although Ben wishes she was not! Apart from being very clumsy, Abi was also very dim. She could often also be seen telling Ben and Susan off, as she was quite a well behaved character. It took her a while, but Abi finally realised that Roger was madly in love with her and so married the dentist in Series seven. However, she has since left Roger to become a nun.
- Rhodri Meilir (31/120) [2005-2009] portrays Alfie Butts. Alfie is a friend of Nick's. He turned up at the Harper household at Christmas in 2005 and has not yet moved out. Alfie comes from a small communityCommunityThe term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
in Wales which seems to have some rather backwards traditions, based on what we hear in the stories he tells. There were clearly not many girls where Alfie came from, so he very much enjoys spending time at the Harpers' and meeting Michael's friends. For some reason most of the family have turned to Alfie at one stage or other for his advice - you should not ever take advice from Alfie. Alfie is a struggling musicianMusicianA musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
- despite not having a steady income or place to live he is still very laid back about life. He did not appear in the 2009 Christmas special, and was completely absent from the whole of series 10 and 11, with no explanation as to his whereabouts.
- Kris MarshallKris MarshallKristopher "Kris" Marshall is an English actor, best known for his role as Nick Harper in My Family, and as Adam in the adverts for BT Group since 2005.-Career:...
(45/120) [2000-2005] portrays Nick Harper. Nick Harper is the oldest of the three siblings. He is a complete layabout who is constantly changing jobs - one minute, a self employed stunt-man, the next a gorilla-o-gram or at one point a sperm-donor. Nick is extremely laid-back and certainly cannot be trusted to carry out an important task or look after moneyMoneyMoney is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, occasionally in the past,...
! Nick was last seen moving out into his own flat - from the phone conversations Ben and Susan have with him it seems he is coping living on his own.
- Tayler Marshall (23/120) [2004-2011] portrays Kenzo Harper. Kenzo is the youngest member of the Harper household, son of Janey, grandson of Ben and Susan and nephew of Michael and Nick. Even at such a young age, he's shown a massive intelligenceIntelligenceIntelligence has been defined in different ways, including the abilities for abstract thought, understanding, communication, reasoning, learning, planning, emotional intelligence and problem solving....
which at times even rivals (and at times even beats) Michael's. At the end of series nine, after doing his project about the family, he reveals to them that his teachers want him to go and see a psychologistPsychologistPsychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
.
Other characters
- Daisy DonovanDaisy DonovanDaisy Donovan is an American-born British television presenter, actress and writer.-Early life:Donovan was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Her father was fashion photographer and film director Terence Donovan; her mother Diana Donovan, is chairwoman of the English National Ballet School...
portrays Brigitte McKay, Brigitte McKay was Ben Harper's dental assistant for the entire first series of the show. She was known for her unique way of thinking and living. She often forgot to take phone messages for Ben, and irritates him while he works. Nick at one point shows lustful feelings towards her.
- Chloe Bale portrays Sasha, Sasha is Janey's best friend and appeared in series 8-11. Storylines focused on the pair getting into trouble (usually instigated by Sasha) and she was disliked by Ben Harper, and then by Janey, until they become friends again.
- Maxine an unseen characterUnseen characterIn fiction, an unseen character is a character that is never directly observed by the audience but is only described by other characters. They are a common device in drama and have been called "triumphs of theatrical invention". They are continuing characters — characters who are currently in...
who was Janey's best friend from school. Although she was never seen, it was hinted that Maxine was very much like Janey: popular, and fashion-conscious. Janey once admitted to Susan that she hung out with Maxine because with Maxine's alleged "ugliness", she made Janey look more beautiful. Janey was also jealous that Maxine's parents treated her with expensive designer labels. It is unknown if they kept in touch.
- Rosemary LeachRosemary LeachRosemary Leach is a British stage, television and film actress.She was born at Much Wenlock, Shropshire. Her parents were teachers related to Edmund Leach. She attended grammar school and RADA...
portrays Grace Riggs, Grace Riggs is Susan Harper's mother, known for her addiction to alcohol, with an especial penchant for martiniMartiniMartini may refer to:* Martini , a popular cocktail* Martini , a brand of vermouth* Martini , a Swiss automobile company* Martini , a French manufacturer of racing cars...
s. She and Susan have a cold relationship, and are locked in a constant psychological battle. Grace has had various boyfriends in the show and is the member of the family to reveal to Ben that Susan was married before she married him. She also likes to make Susan feel guilty for not visiting her very much, and often uses deceitful tactics to entice her daughter to her house. Her late mother, Mary, owned a highly successful brothelBrothelBrothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
in London's West End. The first time she appeared was in series two, played by Avril Elgar and credited as 'Rebecca' (although she was not referred to by name in the episode). She did not appear again until Leach took up the role in series four. It was announced in the episode 'A decent proposal' that she had died.
- Kevin BishopKevin BishopKevin Bishop is an English actor and comedian, best known for his own programme, The Kevin Bishop Show, which he co-writes with Lee Hupfield, and the role of Jim Hawkins in Muppet Treasure Island.-Life and career:...
portrays Stupid Brian, Brian was Janey's boyfriend in the second series of the show. At the time, he and Janey were still students although Brian knew how to decorate. His nickname was 'Stupid Brian' for being very stupid but was surprisingly talented when he built a book shelf for the Harpers' kitchen.
- Alex Dawson portrays Hubert, Hubert was or still is (unknown whether he and Michael are still in touch) Michael's best friend. Hubert was known for being very square but very smart. He once created a television remote that could gain 'free' access channels that required pin numbers for them.
- Andy Taylor portrays Hotel Receptionist, he appeared in 5 episodes through the show. He appears in different hotels across the country as a hotel receptionist. Each time he encountered the Harper family, he became more familiar with their dysfunctional antics. He once suspected that Susan was an escort and that Ben had a mistress.
- Nickolas GraceNickolas GraceNickolas Grace is a British actor known for his roles on television, including Anthony Blanche in the acclaimed ITV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited and the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1980s series Robin of Sherwood...
portrays Mr. Casey, Mr. Casey lives in the house next to the Harper's home. Although he is a neighbour, he does not get on with the Harper family. When he first appeared, he had a dog called Gemma after his wife died. He also tried to scam Ben for money after Ben ran him over.
- Rachel Hyde-HarveyRachel Hyde-HarveyRachel Hyde Harvey is an English actress and singer who is best known for her appearance in I Dream alongside S Club 8. She has also appeared in episodes of The Bill, Doctors, Holby City and My Family. She also appeared in Busted's "What I Go To School For" music video...
portrays Fiona, Fiona is Michael's girlfriend throughout the fourth series. She and Michael are caught in bed together but never had sex. They are also caught in the airing cupboard kissing, and also a scene where Michael and Fiona begin to take their clothes off in his bedroom but Susan is listening and says they should stop.
- Nathan Brine portrays Scott Marsh in series 10. Scott is Michael's first boyfriend after he comes out as gay. In his first appearance, Ben accidentally outed him to his homophobic father and he was forced to leave home. Susan invited him to live at the house, but Michael and Scott moved into a new flat instead. A few episodes later, it was revealed that Scott and Michael had split up, although they got back together in the same episode.
Guest cast
My Family has used several actors from various past hit sitcoms, most notably David HaigDavid Haig
David Haig is an Olivier Award-winning English actor and FIPA Award-winning writer. He is known for his versatility, having played dramatic, serio-comic and comedic roles, playing characters of varied social classes...
from The Thin Blue Line
The Thin Blue Line (TV series)
The Thin Blue Line is a British sitcom starring Rowan Atkinson set in a police station that ran for two series on the BBC from 1995 to 1996...
, Belinda Lang
Belinda Lang
Belinda Lang is an English actress, best known in the United Kingdom for her role as Bill Porter in the long running BBC sitcom 2point4 children .-Television:...
of 2point4 children
2point4 children
2point4 Children is a 1990s British sitcom that was created and written by Andrew Marshall. It follows the lives of the Porter family; an average family that is persistently faced with surreal situations and sheer bad luck....
, Diana Weston
Diana Weston
Diana Weston is an English actress who has been on British television since 1975. She is a grandchild of Charles Basil Price.-Career:...
from The Upper Hand
The Upper Hand
The Upper Hand is a sitcom, produced by Central Independent Television and broadcast by ITV from 1990 to 1996. The programme was adapted from the American sitcom Who's the Boss?....
who (in a possible reference to a character from her own sitcom) portrayed a male-female transsexual named Charlie, Pauline Quirke
Pauline Quirke
Pauline Perpetua Quirke is a British actress. She is best known for her role as Sharon in the comedy series Birds of a Feather, alongside her lifelong friend and frequent acting partner Linda Robson...
of Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather
Birds of a Feather was a British sitcom that was broadcast on BBC1 from 1989 until 1998. Starring Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, it was created by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, who also wrote some of the episodes along with many other writers.The first episode sees sisters...
and Sam Kelly
Sam Kelly
Sam Kelly is an English actor who has appeared in television, radio and theatre.-Career:He has had roles in British sitcoms such as Porridge as Bunny Warren, Allo 'Allo! as Captain Hans Geering leaving after series three, On the Up as Dennis Waterman's chauffeur and We'll Think of Something as Les...
from On the Up
On the Up
On the Up was a British situation comedy written by Bob Larbey. It ran for three series, from 1990 to 1992.-Plot summary:Tony Carpenter is a self-made millionaire who turned his South London minicab firm into a successful chauffeur-driven car service...
.
- Anna CrillyAnna CrillyAnna Crilly is an English actress and comedian. Secondary school: Kent College, Pembury. Crilly attended Middlesex University where she studied performing arts...
- John BarrowmanJohn BarrowmanJohn Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
- David HaigDavid HaigDavid Haig is an Olivier Award-winning English actor and FIPA Award-winning writer. He is known for his versatility, having played dramatic, serio-comic and comedic roles, playing characters of varied social classes...
- Beatriz BatardaBeatriz BatardaBeatriz da Silveira Moreno Batarda is a Portuguese actress named as one of European films 'Shooting Stars' by European Film Promotion in 1998. She studied Design at IADE Institute in Lisbon and trained in acting at Guidhall School of Music and Drama in London.She was born in London and grew up in...
- Kevin BishopKevin BishopKevin Bishop is an English actor and comedian, best known for his own programme, The Kevin Bishop Show, which he co-writes with Lee Hupfield, and the role of Jim Hawkins in Muppet Treasure Island.-Life and career:...
- Barbara KeoghBarbara KeoghBarbara Keogh was a British actress who is possibly best remembered for playing Lilly Mattock in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, as well as playing various roles in comedy sketch-show, Little Britain....
- Michael SimkinsMichael SimkinsMichael Simkins is an English actor.-Life and career:Simkins was born in Brighton, Sussex. He attended Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School and while still at school performed works by Gilbert and Sullivan in a group called the Wandering Minstrels, which he co-founded in Brighton in the...
- Dani HarmerDani HarmerDanielle Jane "Dani" Harmer is an English television actress and singer. Harmer is best known as the title character in the UK television programme The Story of Tracy Beaker/Tracy Beaker Returns, and as Molly Venables in the BBC sitcom After You've Gone...
- Belinda LangBelinda LangBelinda Lang is an English actress, best known in the United Kingdom for her role as Bill Porter in the long running BBC sitcom 2point4 children .-Television:...
- Rosemary LeachRosemary LeachRosemary Leach is a British stage, television and film actress.She was born at Much Wenlock, Shropshire. Her parents were teachers related to Edmund Leach. She attended grammar school and RADA...
- Sylvestra Le TouzelSylvestra Le TouzelSylvestra Le Touzel is a British television, film and stage actor who was born on Jersey in the Channel Islands and raised in Kensington, London. She was schooled in East Acton.-TV:...
- Peter CapaldiPeter CapaldiPeter Dougan Capaldi is an Academy Award and BAFTA award winning Scottish actor and film director. In 1995, his short film Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life won the Academy Award for Live Action Short Film...
- Frances BarberFrances BarberFrances Barber is an Olivier Award-nominated English actress with a long and distinguished stage career. She has also appeared in numerous television productions...
- Anne RobinsonAnne RobinsonAnne Josephine Robinson is an English journalist and television presenter, known for her assertive views and acerbic style of presenting. She was one of the presenters on the long-running British consumer affairs series, Watchdog, from 1993 to 2001 before returning in 2009...
- Sally BrettonSally BrettonSally Bretton is an English actress best known for appearing in television sitcoms including the BBC's Absolute Power, Channel 4's Green Wing, the BBC's The Office, and, most recently, the BBC's Not Going Out....
- Trevor PeacockTrevor PeacockTrevor Peacock is an English stage and television character actor. He was born in Tottenham, London, the son of Alexandria and Victor Edward Peacock.-Television and Film Career:...
- Jan FrancisJan FrancisJan Francis is an English actress, best known for playing Penny Warrender in the 1980s romantic comedy Just Good Friends.-Early life:Francis was born at the former Charing Cross Hospital near Trafalgar Square, London...
- Gerard HoranGerard HoranGerard Horan is an English actor. Born in Stockport, Cheshire, Horan has appeared in many of Kenneth Branagh's Shakespeare films, most recently as Denis in the 2006 As You Like It. He has worked extensively in theatre, film and television....
- Michael ObioraMichael ObioraMichael Obiora is an English actor and writer.-Career:Michael Obiora was born on 8 October 1986 in North-West London to Nigerian-Igbo parents...
- Alex DawsonAlex DawsonAlexander Downie Dawson was a Scottish football player.Dawson started his career with Manchester United as a trainee. He helped the club win the league title in 1957. He left United for Preston North End in 1961 after scoring 54 career goals. At Preston, he became known as "The Black Prince of...
- Preeya KalidasPreeya KalidasPreeya Kalidas is a British singer and actress of Indian descent. She plays Amira Masood in the soap opera EastEnders. She returned to a career in singing, with her single "Shimmy" being released in July 2010 taken from her debut album Constant Craving, was supposed to be released in September...
- Christopher RyanChristopher RyanChristopher Ryan is an English actor. Ryan is perhaps best known for his role as Mike "The Cool Person" in the BBC comedy series The Young Ones.-Early life:...
- Daisy DonovanDaisy DonovanDaisy Donovan is an American-born British television presenter, actress and writer.-Early life:Donovan was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Her father was fashion photographer and film director Terence Donovan; her mother Diana Donovan, is chairwoman of the English National Ballet School...
- Vicki PepperdineVicki PepperdineVicki Pepperdine is an English actress and comedian. She co-writes and stars in the BBC Four sitcom Getting On along with Jo Brand and Joanna Scanlan...
- Mac McDonaldMac McDonaldMac McDonald is an American actor. He is best known for playing Captain Hollister on the BBC TV series Red Dwarf and frequently plays American characters in other British TV shows...
- Emma Amos
- Nickolas GraceNickolas GraceNickolas Grace is a British actor known for his roles on television, including Anthony Blanche in the acclaimed ITV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited and the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1980s series Robin of Sherwood...
- Andy Taylor
- Rolf HarrisRolf HarrisRolf Harris, CBE, AM is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, composer, painter and television personality.Born in Perth, Western Australia, Harris was a champion swimmer before studying art. He moved to England in 1952, where he started to appear on television programmes on which he drew the...
- Jamie ForemanJamie ForemanJamie Foreman is an English actor best known for his roles as Duke in Layer Cake and Bill Sikes in Roman Polanski's Oliver Twist . He played opposite Ray Winstone and Kathy Burke in Gary Oldman's Nil by Mouth and also featured in Elizabeth , Gangster No. 1 and Sleepy Hollow...
- Anthony HeadAnthony HeadAnthony Stewart Head , usually credited as Anthony Head, is an English actor and musician. He rose to fame in the UK following his role in television advertisements for Nescafé Gold Blend , and is known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Uther Pendragon in...
- Danny WebbDanny Webb (actor)Danny Webb is a British television and film actor. He may be best known for his role as the prisoner Morse in Alien 3. He has appeared in many famous British television programmes including The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Emmerdale Farm, Our Friends in the North, A Touch of Frost, Agatha...
- Anna ChancellorAnna Chancellor-Family:Chancellor was born in Richmond, London, England, the daughter of the Hon. Mary Alice Jolliffe and John Paget Chancellor. Through her mother's mother, Lady Perdita Rose Mary Asquith, Chancellor is the great-granddaughter of The Hon. Raymond Aquith and the great-great-granddaughter of Prime...
- Ben Jones
- Eric SykesEric SykesEric Sykes, CBE is an English radio, television and film writer, actor and director whose performing career has spanned more than 50 years. He frequently wrote for and/or performed with many other leading comedy performers and writers of the period, including Tony Hancock, Spike Milligan, Peter...
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- Perry BensonPerry BensonPerry Benson is an English character actor best known for his regular roles in British television sitcoms You Rang, M'Lord? , Oh, Doctor Beeching! and Operation Good Guys .-Movie career:...
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- Lorraine ChaseLorraine ChaseLorraine Chase is an English actress and model. She became well known for her strong cockney accent and frequent use of cockney slang, and found fame through a series of television commercials for Campari before embarking on an acting career.-Television:After initially working as a model, Chase...
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(British Actor) - Ainsley Harriot
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Series synopses
The second series, Ben Harper, husband and father to three different and often difficult children has spent his working life as a dentist. Just as well as most of his life seems rather like pulling teeth. His wife Susan is usually busy showing foreign tourists around London, a place she knows much better than her own kitchen. Ben and Susan have been married happily enough to have three children. However, Ben has the feeling that most of the time his children seem to speak a different language. Nick (20) has persuaded his parents he would benefit from a gap year to see something of the world. To date, he has hardly seen anything beyond the confines of the sofa. Janey (17) is into boys, fashion labels (expensive ones) and getting her own way. Michael (14) is the brightest of the trio. He is seriously into computers, and, not so seriously (yet) into girls.
In the fourth series, Susan is looking forward to the birth of her first grandchild, but dreading being a grandmother. Nick is getting fed up with living in his ghastly flat and trying to think of a way to move back into the family home. The gap between Michael's IQ and the rest of the family's seems to be increasing, but so is his libido. And Abi is still Abi, only more so! As for perennially put-upon Ben, what with a new arrival causing chaos in the surgery, being forced to take tango lessons and being officially declared dead, life is just one long major-league cirsis.
In Series five, Ben and Susan are enjoying some new-found tranquility, Nick has moved into his own flat, Janey is at university and Abi is usually out at evening class. Naturally the peace is not to last! Janey comes back home with baby Kenzo and Michael has been "born again" and is holding Bible study sessions in the living room. With Ben's famous dental patients, Susan's election ambitions and an unheathly obsession with Inspector Morse - not to mention the unlikely perils of house-sitting in a luxury modern apartment - domestic life is soon to be back to normal. So when Ben and Susan start being nice to each other it's no wonder Abi's suspicious; they could not be getting a divorce could they?
In the seventh series, a mystery man arrives asking for Janey - Susan finally discovers the identity of Kenzo's father. Roger and Abi's marriage announcement gives Susan the idea to renew her marriage vows despite protests from Ben. A death in the dentist's chair is not very good for business, but, as Ben discovers, it is not very good for your private life either. Michael succeeds in placing the whole family on The Weakest Link, but Anne Robinson raises more difficult questions than might have been expected.
In the eighth series, love is in the air in the Harper house. Ben is in love - with an extremely large television; Janey is in love with a new man; and Michael's current love has announced that she is pregnant. Meanwhile, Ben and Susan's credit card statement highlights each of their secret vices and an armed robbery at the local bank leads to Ben and Janey being taken as hostages. Michael and Alfie investigate the world of internet dating with mixed results and Abi realises her true vocation in life is to become a nun!
In series nine, chaos, paranoia and misunderstanding - yes, it's life as usual in the Harper household. Ben stands up to - and gets put down by - his own school bully and gets a little jealous as a rich business man falls for Susan - or is that Janey? There are new worries as they discover Michael's seeing a therapist and Ben fails his retraining exam - and, while the family is divided over mean Uncle Norris's inheritance and the acquisition of a puppy, Ben's delighted to discover he's the inspiration for a wealthy if unhappy, celebrity dentist!
In the tenth series, in the second episode ("The Son'll Come Out") Michael comes out as gay to his parents, first to his father after coming home drunk then later to his mother. He then tells them that he has been in a relationship with a guy for some time, a 25 year old solicitor called Scott Marsh, who later moves into the Harper residence, though he is later seen in gay clubs picking up guys and giving out his number, suggesting that he and Scott have broken up, but they later get back together. These comprise of a nine-part tenth series and a seven-part eleventh series.
Episodes
The first episode aired on 19 September 2000, and ten series have so far been aired with seven specials, including nine Christmas specials. The eleventh series began airing on Friday 17 June 2011. A Comic ReliefComic Relief
Comic Relief is an operating British charity, founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia. The highlight of Comic Relief's appeal is Red Nose Day, a biennial telethon held in March, alternating with sister project Sport Relief...
special short-episode has also aired.
The BBC and UKTV refuse to re-broadcast the series four episode "Blind Justice", due to the receipt of 4 complaints (from a viewing public of 12m). Although no reason was given, as this was not subject to any Ofcom procedure, it is likely that was considered offensive to blind people. This episode is banned from British TV, but it is still on the series four UK DVD release and has been screened on BBC America
BBC America
BBC America is an American television network, owned and operated by BBC Worldwide, and available on both cable and satellite.-History:The channel launched on March 29, 1998, broadcasting comedy, drama and lifestyle programs from BBC Television and other British television broadcasters like ITV and...
.
The episodes are recorded in front of a live audience in Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a major British film studio situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, approximately west of central London. The studios have played host to many productions over the years from huge blockbuster films to television shows to commercials to pop promos.The purchase of Shepperton...
, Iver
Iver
Iver is in the south-east corner of the English county of Buckinghamshire and it forms one of the largest civil parishes in the South Bucks district.Iver railway station is in Richings Park.-Etymology:...
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, except where the set used is too large, this is then filmed, and played out to an invited audience 'as-live'. Also, the show, unlike most British sitcoms but in common with most American television comedies, has no location footage. Scenes taking place outdoors were actually sets.
The series is scripted by a team of writers, following the American model. Historically, British sitcoms were more generally written by one or two writers. By employing a wider number of writers to brainstorm jokes for each episode, DLT Entertainment UK Ltd, the production company, has been able to maintain a consistent and relatively long-lived product without having to wait for a single writer to produce more material.
Opening sequence
At the start of the first two series, it slides across four boxes with each character's face in them. The first box stands alone with Ben and Susan in it. The other three are lapped over each other with a photo of Michael, Janey and Nick from left to right in them. While it slides across at the start, each character's face turns with Janey and Nick smiling and the others being fairly plain faced. Once the boxes are placed, the boxes with youngsters in them drop to the bottom of the screen and are replaced with the show's logo.At the start of the third series, four rectangle blocks fall onto a completely white screen to create Ben's face. Those blocks are then replaced with blocks that create Susan's face; each block then shows different parts of the other characters to finally reveal Nick's face. It continues to do this for Janey, Michael and (starting from the fourth episode entitled "Of Mice and Ben") the new character to the show Abi. Abi's (for the first three episodes, Michael's) face then falls into the bottom right corner while the previous faces spread across to other places of the white screen. It reveals that Nick, Janey and Michael are next to Abi and Ben and Susan are with each other at the top left of the screen. The logo fades on the top right of the screen.
The fourth series is similar to the third series opening sequence. Only difference is that the photo of each character is changed, each block does not show different parts of each character when it transitions; instead it transitions in various styles, for example in an opening in a window blind style. Series five titles still remain similar; the photos are changed again and there are eleven rectangles instead of four. Nick is almost completely absent from the opening titles in series five except in episode six of series five titled "My Will Be Done"; he was missing in some episodes from series four and a few from series three.
The series six opening titles have cut-outs of each character, as they fade in to the white screen and zoom in and out and eventually stop moving. The line-up from left to right is Abi, Michael, Susan, Ben, Janey and Roger. The titles remain the same for series seven and eight; the one difference is that Janey's clothes are changed. In series nine, the line-up changes due to Abi's departure at the end of the previous series. Her place is taken by Alfie, who has been a regular since series six but never appeared in the titles until the ninth series. Starting in the 2009 Christmas Special, Alfie has been replaced by Kenzo.
Writers
The first writer of My Family was its creator, Fred BarronFred Barron
Fred Barron is an American television producer and writer.-As a writer:*After You've Gone*According to Bex*Union Square*My Family*Caroline in the City*Dave's World*The Larry Sanders Show*Sessions*Displaced Person...
. He wrote eight episodes up until the fourth series. Other major writers include James Hendrie and Ian Brown who wrote numerous episodes, including the first episode together up until the 2004 Christmas Special. Steven and Jim Armogida are the only writers to remain on the show throughout its run.
Writers such as Sophie Hetherington, Georgia Pritchett, James Cary and Tess Morris have all written at least one episode for the sitcom at one point. None of these writers have written more than five episodes. Andrea Solomons has written many episodes for My Family, she wrote from the second series to the sixth series. Meanwhile, Darin Henry has written one episode for the fifth series before returning for the eighth series onwards.
Paul Minett and Brian Leveson are the sitcom’s current main writers. Credited for most of the specials, at least three episodes from every series since 2005. Bert-Tyler Moore and George Jeffrie both have written a few episodes for the sitcom in its sixth and seventh series and returned for series ten. Tom Leopold wrote two episodes for the sixth series only. Tom Anderson, currently My Family's executive producer and showrunner, wrote his first episode for series seven and wrote until series ten, but remained showrunner for series eleven. Ed Dyson and David Cantor have written episodes for the seventh, eighth, ninth and eleventh series. Table correct as of episode 120.
| Writer | Year(s) | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| James Hendrie Ian Brown |
2000–2004 | 27 (inc. 2 co-written) |
| Fred Barron Fred Barron Fred Barron is an American television producer and writer.-As a writer:*After You've Gone*According to Bex*Union Square*My Family*Caroline in the City*Dave's World*The Larry Sanders Show*Sessions*Displaced Person... |
2000–2003 | 8 (inc. 4 co-written) |
| Shawn Schepps | 2000 | 1 (inc. 1 co-written) |
| Penny Croft | 2000 | 1 (inc. 1 co-written) |
| Andrea Solomons | 2001–2006 | 12 (inc. 1 co-written) |
| Sophie Hetherington | 2002–2004 | 3 (inc. 2 co-written) |
| Georgia Pritchett | 2003 | 1 |
| James Cary James Cary (writer) James Cary is a British television and radio writer.James is the creator and writer of Radio 4's Sony Radio Academy Awards Silver Award-winning comedy series, Think the Unthinkable and lead writer on the sketch show, Concrete Cow... |
2004 | 1 |
| Darin Henry Darin Henry Darin Henry is an American television writer. He has written for many different television series, including Seinfeld, Futurama and The War at Home... |
2004; 2008–2011 | 8 (inc. 2 co-written) |
| George Jeffrie Bert-Tyler Moore |
2006–2007; 2010–2011 | 4 (inc. 1 co-written) |
| Tess Morris | 2006 | 1 (inc. 1 co-written) |
| Tom Leopold Tom Leopold Tom Leopold is an American comedy writer, performer and novelist. He has written episodes of Seinfeld and Cheers and several books. He has often been associated with Chevy Chase, Harry Shearer and Paul Shaffer in various projects... |
2006 | 2 |
| Steve Armogida Jim Armogida |
2000–2010 | 24 (inc. 1 co-written) |
| Paul Minett Brian Leveson |
2005–2010 | 13 (inc. 2 co-written) |
| Tom Anderson | 2007–2011 | 8 (inc. 2 co-written) |
| Ed Dyson | 2007–2009; 2011 | 5 |
| David Cantor | 2007–2009; 2011 | 5 (inc. 1 co-written) |
| Amy Shindler | 2009–2010 | 2 |
| Andrew Kreisberg | 2009–2010 | 2 |
| Robin Taylor | 2009; 2011 | 2 |
| Dan Staley Dan Staley Dan Staley is an American screenwriter and television producer. He is currently an executive producer of Disney Channel’s original series Good Luck Charlie.... |
2010 | 1 |
Show runners
- Fred BarronFred BarronFred Barron is an American television producer and writer.-As a writer:*After You've Gone*According to Bex*Union Square*My Family*Caroline in the City*Dave's World*The Larry Sanders Show*Sessions*Displaced Person...
(2000–2003) - Ian Brown & James Hendrie (2004–2005)
- Tom LeopoldTom LeopoldTom Leopold is an American comedy writer, performer and novelist. He has written episodes of Seinfeld and Cheers and several books. He has often been associated with Chevy Chase, Harry Shearer and Paul Shaffer in various projects...
(2006) - Tom Anderson (2007–2011)
Reception
Initially, the show received a poor critical response, and many dismissed its humour as mundane and dated. In spite of this, the programme received above average audience ratings, and further series were commissioned, with critical approval gradually improving as the series progressed Bruce Dessau, writing on the 100th episode, noted that it was a comedy that "the critics hate, but the public love", on the basis of ratings.Star Zoë Wanamaker said in 2007 that she was no longer happy with the quality of the writing, and claimed she and co-star Robert Lindsay even refused to film one episode because it was so poor.
In May 2009, the two stars revealed they were still unhappy with the writing quality, with Robert Lindsay stating "There's some real dross (in the scripts) and we're aware of it". He later admitted that the eleventh series might be the last stating "As far as Zoe (Wanamaker) and I are concerned, we will do a tenth series of 16 episodes, which the BBC will probably split into a tenth and eleventh, then that will be it."
In 2004, the show came 24th in Britain's Best Sitcom
Britain's Best Sitcom
Britain's Best Sitcom was a poll conducted in 2004 by the BBC, to identify the United Kingdom's best situation comedy. Viewers were asked to vote for their favourite by phone, text message and on the web. The top ten went forward to a final round of voting...
.
Cancellation
On 25 March 2011 the BBC confirmed that the 11th series would be the last series. BBC OneBBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
controller Danny Cohen
Danny Cohen
Danny Cohen is the current Controller of BBC One, the BBC's flagship television channel in the United Kingdom. He is the youngest person to be appointed as Controller of the channel.- Education :...
, when commenting on the decision to axe the series, said "Now that all the Harper children have fled the nest we feel it's time to make room for new comedies". Robert Lindsay
Robert Lindsay (actor)
Robert Lindsay is an English actor who is best known for his television work, especially his roles of Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith, Michael Murray in G.B.H., Captain Sir Edward Pellew in Hornblower and Ben Harper in My Family which has been on television screens since 2000.-Early life:Lindsay was...
said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
: "I'm amazed by the public's love for the series [...] When Kris Marshall left in 2005 I was convinced that was it. But somehow Zoe and I have kept the essence of it together."
The decision to axe the series led to a mixed response from viewers, with many such as Miranda Hart
Miranda Hart
Miranda Katharine Hart Dyke , known professionally as Miranda Hart, is an English actress, writer and stand-up comedienne. She writes and stars in the BBC sitcom Miranda...
expressing their disappointment, praising the show's acting and characters. Others, however, have praised the decision, with critics saying My Family should have been axed years ago and viewers panning the show, calling the BBC's alternative family sitcom Outnumbered
Outnumbered
Outnumbered is a British sitcom. Airing on BBC One since 2007, it stars Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner as a father and mother outnumbered by their three children...
much better, despite it being much shorter than My Family, year-wise and episode-wise.
DVD releases
The first ten series have been released on DVD in the UK, minus the Christmas specials that accompanied series three, four, five and seven. A Christmas Specials DVD was released on 20 November 2006, and this contained the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Christmas specials. Therefore, it will be released on 21 July 2011 with the 2010 Christmas special included. In CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
series one to four are available on Region 1 DVD. In Australia Series one to seven are available on Region 4 DVD. A box set containing Series one to five was released on 7 April 2011 in Australia. Series eight will be released on 6 October 2011 in Australia, however the DVD was available at ABC stores mid September. None of the Christmas Specials are on the Region 4 DVD sets to date. Afters its finale in September 2011, the complete My Family boxset of all episdoes and specials, plus exclusive extras including a never before seen documentary, comic relief mini-episode, audio commentary on selected episodes and outtakes.) is to be released on the 5th December 2011. (Price £60.00 on Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
).
| DVD Title | # of Disc(s) | Year | # of Episodes | DVD release | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 DVD region code DVD region codes are a digital-rights management technique designed to allow film distributors to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and price, according to the region... |
Region 2 DVD region code DVD region codes are a digital-rights management technique designed to allow film distributors to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and price, according to the region... |
Region 4 DVD region code DVD region codes are a digital-rights management technique designed to allow film distributors to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and price, according to the region... |
|||||
| Complete Series One | 1 | 2000 2000 in British television This is a list of British television related events from 2000.-Events:*1 January – 2000 Today, the marathon 28-hour live broadcast to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium ends at 13:30.... |
8 | 10 October 2006 | 22 March 2004 | 17 January 2007 | |
| Complete Series Two | 2 | 2001 2001 in British television This is a list of British television related events from 2001.-Events:*1 January – The BBC reality show Castaway 2000 comes to an end as the participants leave the island of Taransay.... |
13 | 10 October 2006 | 7 June 2004 | 5 September 2007 | |
| Complete Series Three | 2 | 2002 2002 in British television This is a list of British television related events from 2002.-Events:*25 January – Bloody Sunday, a television drama based on the events of the controversial Bloody Sunday incident in Northern Ireland in 1972 airs on ITV1.... |
13 | 13 October 2009 | 12 September 2005 | 2 January 2008 | |
| Complete Series Four | 2 | 2003 2003 in British television This is a list of British television related events from 2003.-Events:*13 January – ITV soap Crossroads is relaunched under the stewardship of producer Yvon Grace, and with a decidedly camp feel... |
13 | 13 October 2009 | 20 March 2006 | 4 September 2008 | |
| Complete Series Five | 2 | 2004 2004 in British television This is a list of British television related events from 2004.-Events:*3 January - The BBC cancels the appearance of Coca Cola sponsorship credits in the music charts in its BBC One Top of the Pops show, after criticism from politicians and health campaigners that it would be promoting junk food... |
13 | — | 18 September 2006 | 2 January 2009 | |
| Complete Series Six | 1 | 2006 2006 in British television The following is a list of British television related events from the year 2006.-Events:-BBC One:-BBC Two:-ITV:-Five:-BBC Three:-New channels:-Returning this year after a break of one year or longer:-1950s:*Panorama .... |
7 | — | 25 June 2007 | 1 October 2009 | |
| Complete Series Seven | 2 | 2007 2007 in British television This is a summary of the year 2007 in British television.-Events:*1 January - Celebrity Big Brother 5 launched on Channel 4, with celebrities such as Jermaine Jackson, Dirk Benedict and Leo Sayer.... |
9 | — | 24 September 2007 | 7 July 2011 | |
| Complete Series Eight | 1 | 2008 2008 in British television This is a list of events taking place in 2008 related to British television.-Events:-BBC One:-BBC Two:-BBC Three:-BBC Four:-ITV:-Channel 4:-Five:-E4:-Sky1:-Watch:-Dave:-FX:-Changes of network affiliation:... |
7 | — | 14 July 2008 | 6 October 2011 | |
| Complete Series Nine | 2 | 2009 2009 in British television This is a list of events taking place in 2009 related to British television.-Events:-BBC:-ITV:-Channel 4:-Five:-Subscription Channels:-New channels:-Defunct channels:-Rebranding channels:-Changes of network affiliation:... |
9 | — | 25 May 2009 | — | |
| Complete Series 10 | 2 | 2010 2010 in British television This is a list of events taking place in 2010 related to British television.-Events:-BBC:-ITV:-Channel 4:-Five:-Subscription Channels:-New Channels:-Defunct Channels:-Changes of network affiliation:... |
9 | — | 6 September 2010 | — | |
| Complete Series 11 | 2 | 2011 2011 in British television This is a list of events taking place in 2011 related to British television.-Events:-BBC:-ITV:-Channel 4:-Channel 5:-Subscription Channels:-New channels:-Defunct channels:-Rebranding channels:-Changes of network affiliation:... |
9 | — | 15 August 2011 | — | |
| Complete Series 1-11 | 22 | 2000 2000 in British television This is a list of British television related events from 2000.-Events:*1 January – 2000 Today, the marathon 28-hour live broadcast to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium ends at 13:30.... -2011 2011 in British television This is a list of events taking place in 2011 related to British television.-Events:-BBC:-ITV:-Channel 4:-Channel 5:-Subscription Channels:-New channels:-Defunct channels:-Rebranding channels:-Changes of network affiliation:... |
120 | — | 5 December 2011 | — | |
| Christmas Television special A television special is a television program which interrupts or temporarily replaces programming normally scheduled for a given time slot. Sometimes, however, the term is given to a telecast of a theatrical film, such as The Wizard of Oz or The Ten Commandments, which is not part of a regular... 2002–2005 |
1 | 2002 2002 in British television This is a list of British television related events from 2002.-Events:*25 January – Bloody Sunday, a television drama based on the events of the controversial Bloody Sunday incident in Northern Ireland in 1972 airs on ITV1.... –2005 2005 in British television This is a list of British television-related events in 2005.-Events:*5 January—Desperate Housewives makes its initial UK debut with an impressive 5 million viewers... |
4 | — | 20 November 2006 | — | |
| Complete Series 1–7 | 12 | 2000 2000 in British television This is a list of British television related events from 2000.-Events:*1 January – 2000 Today, the marathon 28-hour live broadcast to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium ends at 13:30.... –2007 2007 in British television This is a summary of the year 2007 in British television.-Events:*1 January - Celebrity Big Brother 5 launched on Channel 4, with celebrities such as Jermaine Jackson, Dirk Benedict and Leo Sayer.... |
76 | — | 22 October 2007 | — | |
External links
- My Family Wiki at WikiaWikiaWikia is a free web hosting service for wikis . It is normally free of charge for readers and editors, deriving most of its income from advertising, and publishes all user-provided text under copyleft licenses. Wikia hosts several hundred thousand wikis using the open-source wiki software MediaWiki...