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''This article is about the UK TV show; for the US show of the same name, see Teachers (US TV series).
Teachers was a British television Comedy Drama produced by Channel 4. The series had few obvious jokes, but rather followed a group of secondary school teachers as they show themselves to be just as immature as their students.

Originally centred around Andrew Lincoln the show changed dramatically with few original characters remaining in the fourth series. Some of these were explained by people moving on, others were mysteriously killed off without explanation.

The first three series were set in the fictional Summerdown Comprehensive, which merged with another school in the fourth series to form Wattkins School.

The series was filmed at the former Lockleaze school, and other locations around Bristol, England.

Teachers was nominated for six BAFTA awards between 2002 and 2004, and was nominated for "Best British Comedy Show" at the British Comedy Awards in 2003.

Episode broadcast details

Series 1

Series 2

Series 3

Series 4

On 21 December 2004 the first Teachers Christmas special was broadcast. However, after a muted reception to the fourth series, in January 2005 Channel 4 announced that Teachers would not continue for a fifth series.

Cast

Main cast

  • Andrew Lincoln – Simon Casey, an English teacher who was the focus of the first series. Regularly clashed with head of department Bob over his laid back approach to teaching, and also with fellow English teacher Jenny, who he ended up sleeping with, and eventually became friends with in the second series. He left before the end of series two to go travelling, and returned briefly in series three where he acted as a supply teacher for 3 episodes. He did not return in the fourth series. (series 1–series 3)
  • Adrian Bower – Brian Steadman, a PE teacher originally, he later became a geography teacher also. Was mysteriously killed off between the third and fourth series. (series 1–series 3)
  • Navin Chowdhry – Kurt McKenna, an IT Teacher who dated the secretary Carol briefly.Generally more intellegent than Brian. Sometimes taunted for being a midget, quit smoking when he was trying to woo a parent, very desperate for a shag with anyone.He was also killed off between the third and fourth series. (series 1–series 3)
  • James Lance – Matt Harvey, an English Teacher who replaced Simon. Married with kids, however had several extramartial affairs, including a 10 month relationship with Penny, and later a short lived affair with Lindsay. Was also killed off - at the start of the fourth series the remaining members of the main cast are seen urinating on the graves of Matt, Brian and Kurt. (series 2–series 3)
  • Raquel Cassidy – Susan Gately, psychology teacher who separated from and later divorced husband Peter. She acts as the group's shrink, as she is the one they go to for advice. She had a breakdown in the first series after taking on too much administrative work. Disappears without explanation between seasons 2 and 3. (series 1–series 2)
  • Nina Sosanya – Jenny Page, an English teacher who was the object of much discussion and desire amongst the male characters. She was originally not involved with the main group but was integrated into the group mid-Season One. She was promoted to Head of Year 11 at the end of the first series, and had a notable relationship with educational psychologist Alec in series two. Disappears without explanation between seasons 2 and 3. (series 1–series 2)
  • Shaun Evans – John Paul (J.P.) Keating, a linguistics teacher, originally mistaken for a sixth former. The show's only main homosexual character. Disappears without explanation between seasons 2 and 3. (series 2)
  • Daon Broni – Damien Waller, a food technology teacher at Wattkins School, the straight man in the show, normally sacastic and un-impressed with the antics in the group. Likes to get Ben into slightly awkard situations from time to time, had a crush on an inter teacher but didn't really get pursued, found out about Bobs' mail ordered bride (Ping) exposed the secret which led to his disgust against him, also, named Bob as "fat bastard" in his mobile. (series 4)
  • Vicky Hall – Lindsay Pearce, a biology teacher who shared a flat with Penny throughout series 3 and 4. Can outdrink and outblunt any of the boys, and is universally popular compared to her flatmate. Regularly teased for being overweight, many of her colleagues at Wattkins School thought she may be pregnant. (series 3-series 4)
  • Mathew Horne – Ben Birkett, a hypochondriac Religious Studies teacher at Wattkins School, at one point thought that he would be dead after being fortold by a gypsy as a child, changed religion nearly twice a day to please all the gods in different religion. (series 4)
  • Tamzin Malleson – Penny Neville, an English teacher who arrived as an NQT in series 2. With a reputation for making disastrous choices in men, she had a 10 month affair with Matt, and later a relationship with pupil Anthony Millington. Has false breasts, and regularly tries to manipulate her colleagues by crying in order to get herself out of trouble. (series 2-series 4)
  • Lee Williams – Ewan Doherty, Head of English at Wattkins School. Mild-mannered, skirt chaser in the series, feels sorry for Bob. Was subject of a hate campaign from Bob, who lost his position to Ewan when the two schools merged, Shares a flat with Damien and Ben,and may have saved Wattkins from closure by seducing the inspector where Clare's attempts at the same failed (series 4).

Supporting Cast

  • Lloyd McGuire – Bob Porter- ex- head of English, lost his position to Ewan, whom he hates a lot. He ordered a bride from Thailand (Ping) who had an affair with Ewan later on. Ping dumped Bob at their wedding reception. His first wife - Yvonne - left him for the sky installation man, in series 3. This was because she was not satisfied with their sex life, after a brief revival, due to the series 2 christmas party.
  • Ellen Thomas – Liz Webbe, one of the school secretaries, known for her witty and acerbic put-downs. Her daughter, Kayla, was in Brian's class in series 2 and 3. Despite being married, she had a one night stand with Kurt, and an intense affair with Bob for a few days after the Bonfire Night Disco.
  • Gillian Bevan – Clare Hunter, the headmistress. Usually provides the staff with their topic of discussion for the episode. (Disabilities, Age Awareness etc) Had a brief fling with Bob. Was renowned for her iron-like nature, as exemplified with her no-nonsense approach towards Carol and the "Come In" buzzer which sounded on the opening of her office door.
  • Ursula Holden Gill – Carol, one of the school secretaries. Had a brief relationship with Kurt, and it is suggested they got back together after the second series, though they are not together in the third.
  • Zoe Telford – played the police officer girlfriend of Simon, Maggie, in series 1. Dumped by Simon, after he slept with Jenny, and is not seen again.

Themes

Like many sitcoms Teachers had certain themes that it maintained through every episode. These included:
  • Appearances of animals, particularly donkeys, in unusual places
  • Every day began with some form of journey, usually to school, with the name of the day written in the scenery or a prop.
  • Carol's clapping at the beginnning of each school day to signal Clare's arrival.
  • The end credits involved a comedic situation being repeated and slowly exaggerated

Every episode featured contemporary and modern music, usually with clips of at least five songs, and the soundtrack to all four series has been released on CD by the Channel 4 shop. The theme tune is an instrumental version of The Boy With The Arab Strap by Belle and Sebastian.

Quotes

Clare Hunter: "I never want to see 'For Being A Mong' in the detention book again."

Brian Steadman: "This has nothing to do with your being fat... which you're not, you're just healthy, in a large way."

Kurt McKenna: I don't think copying and collating is in my remit."

Liz Webbe: Neither is being an idle, incompetent moron, but you seem to manage that pretty well."

Susan Gately: "I'm going to have a baby." Brian Steadman: "Can't you get the drinks in first?"

Clare Hunter: " A spastic is someone with cerebral palsy, Mr. Steadman, not someone who misses an open goal on the football field."

See also

External links

Bristol | British television sitcoms | Channel 4 television programmes

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Teachers (UK TV series)".

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