Dinnerladies

This show was a big hit in England, and rightly so, but I don’t know if it even crossed over here to the U.S. It is a gentle series, following a group of coworkers who genuinely like each other and spend the day dealing with little problems and commenting (gossiping) on life. Four members of the cast I know well from Coronation Street, which I loved until it turned into a violent, scandal-obsessed version of itself in the late 90s. It was great to see Anne Read and Thelma Barlow again after they left Corrie. I read that many more actors and actresses from the Street played on this show, so I will have to look for them when I watch it again. Lead actress Victoria Wood also wrote it. It is well-written and features a wonderful ensemble cast. Ms. Wood ended the show after two seasons, apparently, because she worried about the quality slipping. If only more shows did that.