Being Eileen

Being Eileen
Title card (series 1 onwards)
Also known asLapland
GenreComedy drama
Created byMichael Wynne[1]
Written byMichael Wynne[1]
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composerSimon Lacey[2]
Mark Thomas[5]
Opening theme"Eileen"[2]
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes7 (list of episodes)
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Production
Executive producers
  • Anne Gilchrist[2]
  • Pete Thornton[6]
ProducerRosemary McGowan[2]
Production locationsLapland
Birkenhead
EditorsJamie Pearson[2]
Mark Davies[5]
Running time30 minutes
(Formally 75 minutes, originally intended to be 90 minutes)[2][7]
Production companyBBC
Original release
NetworkBBC One
BBC HD
BBC Two (Sign Zone)[8]
Release24 December 2011 (2011-12-24) –
11 March 2013 (2013-03-11)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Being Eileen is a BBC comedy-drama which began as a six-part series on 4 February and ended on 11 March 2013.[9][10][11] It began as a one-off Christmas special titled Lapland, broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 24 December 2011.[2] A full series was later announced, with the title Being Eileen, consisting of six 30 minute episodes, due to the success of the single episode, which was viewed by 6.9 million viewers upon its original airing.[12] The series also aired on BBC Two as part of Sign Zone, which features sign language throughout.[8] The series was released on DVD on 1 April 2013.[13]

The series, written by Michael Wynne, features an ensemble cast. Headed by Sue Johnston, who plays Eileen Lewis, the programme focuses on her, the widowed matriarch of a "large, close-knit and dysfunctional Northern family".[6] The single episode focused on the family's visit to Lapland, whilst the series focuses on their life in Birkenhead. Elizabeth Berrington and Stephen Graham (later recast to Dean Andrews) play Eileen's children, whilst William Ash and Julie Graham play their partners. All the cast - Johnston, Berrington, Ash, Julie Graham and Keith Barron - a love interest for Eileen - returned for the series, with the exceptions of Stephen Graham and Zawe Ashton, who played Jingle Jill.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference wynne was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Catherine Morshead (director), Rosemary McGowan (producer) (24 December 2011). "Lapland (24 December 2011)". Lapland. BBC. BBC One.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference ozzie was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference eileen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference 4feb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference second was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference cut was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b Graham, Alison (11 February 2013). "Being Eileen Series 1 - 1. Missing". Radio Times. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Being Eileen". BBC. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference celebs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Lapland Series 1 (2013)". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference RATINGS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference dvd was invoked but never defined (see the help page).