Angels is a British television seasonal drama series dealing with the subject of student nurses, which was broadcast by the BBC between 1975 and 1983. It was described as the "Z-Cars of nursing".

The show's format switched to a twice-weekly soap opera format (although still seasonal) from 1979 to 1983.

Background and creators The show's title derived from the name of the hospital where the series was originally set – St. Angela's, Battersea – although in the early 1980s, the scenario changed to Heath Green Hospital, Birmingham. The series was devised by Paula Milne.BFI Screenonline: Angels (1975-83) Early producers included Morris Barry and Ron Craddock. The first episode was directed by Julia Smith, who became the show's producer in 1979. Her script editor on the later series was Tony Holland.BFI Screenonline: Smith, Julia (1927-1997) Biography Filming took place at the now demolished St James' Hospital, Balham, London. Location filming for the fictional Heath Green Hospital took place at Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry, which has been demolished and replaced on the same site by University Hospital Coventry. The 1960s design of the hospital's original "Nursing Home" – a six-storey block of flats and bedsits – forms the Heath Green Hospital graphic in the Angels opening title card.

Smith enlisted Holland as script editor after the show became a twice-weekly soap; the pair went on to create EastEnders in the 1980s. Writers on its first series included Jill Hyem and Anne Valery, who both later co-wrote Tenko, and Adele Rose.

Actors The series provided valuable early television exposure for a variety of young actresses who went on to become better known on British TV, including Fiona Fullerton, Érin Geraghty, Lesley Dunlop, Julie Dawn Cole, Angela Bruce, Clare Clifford and Pauline Quirke. Additionally, Kathryn Apanowicz, Shirley Cheriton and Judith Jacob all later appeared in EastEnders, with Cheriton playing the particularly prominent role of Debbie Wilkins. Mamta Kaash played a key role in the hospital drama Casualty.

Theme music The guitar-driven theme tune, reminiscent of American police dramas of the time, was called "Motivation". It was composed and performed by Alan Parker.Alan Parker - Motivation (Theme from Angels), BBC

Critical reception Angels, in its 1979 to 1983 weekly soap format, tackled issues such as contraception, alcoholism and promiscuity as part of the nurses' lives. Angels received criticism for its unglamorous depiction of the nursing profession, but Smith defended the programme, arguing the need to address such subjects in the series. Indeed, with its sometimes hard-hitting portrayal of young nurses facing up to the demands of the profession, Angels, particularly in its soap format days of 1979 to 1983, was grittily authentic. To this end, each actor taking a part was required to work on a real hospital ward to gain experience and thus contribute to the realism of the series.

Cast Actor Character Series Duration Fiona Fullerton Patricia Rutherford Series 1–3 Julie Dawn Cole Jo Longhurst Series 1–3 Lesley Dunlop Ruth Fullman Series 1 Marsha Millar Jennifer Sorrell Series 1 Debbie Ash Sarah Regan Series 1 Clare Clifford Shirley Brent Series 1–4 Karan David Sita Patel Series 1–3 Érin Geraghty Maureen Morahan Series 1–3 Deborah Makepeace Lynn Gale Series 1–3 Angela Bruce Sandra Ling Series 1–5 Jean Gilpin Deborah Harper Series 3 Joanna Monro Anna Newcross Series 4–7 Shirley Cheriton Katy Betts Series 4–7 Carol Holmes Jean MacEwen Series 4–6, 8–9 Shelley King Jay Harper Series 4–5 Kate Saunders Brenda Cotteral Series 4 Clare Walker Sarah Lloyd-Smith #1 Series 4 Kate Lock Sarah Lloyd-Smith #2 Series 5 Kathryn Apanowicz Rose Butchins Series 5–7 Sharon Rosita Fleur Barrett Series 5–7 Judith Jacob Beverley Slater Series 5–7 Susan Gilmore Elizabeth Fitt Series 6–7 Fay Howard Adrienne O'Shea Series 6 Julia Williams Tracey Willoughby Series 7–9 Sarah Lam Linda Mo Series 7–8 Pauline Quirke Vicky Smith Series 8–9 Mamta Kaash Nargis Khan Series 8 Al Ashton Mike Hathaway Series 8 Michelle Martin Janet Dickens Series 8–9 Juliet Waley Alison Streeter Series 8–9 Joy Lemoine Ayo Lapido Series 9

Episodes

Novels Some TV tie-in novels were published to coincide with the series: Angels by Paula Milne & Leslie Duxbury, Pan Books/BBC Books, 1975. Flights of Angels by Paula Milne, Pan Books/BBC Books, 1976. Includes novelisations of the Season 2 episodes "Vocation" and "Walkabout". New Angels by Paula Milne, BBC Books, 1978. Angel Katy by Leah Harrow, Dragon Books, 1979.

Home media Title Episodes No. ofdiscs Release date(Region 2) BBFCrating Distributor Angels: The Complete First Series155 18 March 201312Simply Media Angels: The Complete Second Series134 15 September 201412 Angels: Complete Series 1 & 2289 3 November 201412

References

External links

British Film Institute Screen Online